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The Guyana Football Federation has confirmed the safety of all Guyanese players and staff following an on-field altercation between Guyana and Anguilla in Group D action of the Concacaf Under-20 Qualifiers in Curacao on Saturday evening.

The game was called off at Stadion Rignaal ‘Jean’ Francisca in Willemstad in the 86^th minute, with Guyana leading 5-0.

Below is the full statement issued by the Guyana Football Federation

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) wishes to address the incident that occurred this evening during our national team’s fixture in the Concacaf U-20 Men’s Qualifiers in Curaçao.

In approximately the 86th minute of the match, the referee issued a red card to a player from Anguilla. Following this decision, there was a sequence of hostile verbal exchanges and jostling between players of both teams.

During this period, an Anguillian player ran into a group of players and appeared to have struck a Guyanese player, which precipitated a broader altercation involving several players.

As a result of the escalation, the match was abandoned.

Multiple players from both teams were subsequently issued red and yellow cards. We understand that an official investigation into the matter is ongoing, and we await confirmed details from the relevant authorities.

The GFF can confirm that all Guyanese players and staff have returned safely to their hotel, and there have been no reports of any serious injuries arising from the incident.

The Guyana Football Federation remains committed to the principles of fair play, respect, and discipline that underpin the game. We will provide further updates as more verified information becomes available. (END)

How the match went 

Guyana got off the mark in the fourth minute, with Sheldon Kendall striking from close range.

Bryan Wharton followed up with a brace, scoring in the 18th and 23rd. Mateo Clark added another for Guyana in the 41st.

Kendall secured his brace in the 56th to round out the result for Guyana. 

Next up for Guyana are clashes against Haiti (March 2 at 20:00h) and St. Vincent and the Grenadines (March 4 at 17:00h).

In their opening game the Guyanese lost 3-2 to Curacao.

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South Africa produced an unconvincing performance with the bat, but beat Zimbabwe by five wickets to set up a semi-final against New Zealand.

An 18-ball 42 from Dewald Brevis at number four proved crucial as wickets tumbled in South Africa’s chase of 154 before George Linde (30 off 21) and Tristan Stubbs (21 off 24) saw them over the line with 13 balls to spare.

South Africa, who have won all seven of their matches in this tournament, are searching for a maiden T20 World Cup title having previously reached the final in 2024.

The result also confirms England, who finished top of Group Two in the Super Eights, will face either India or West Indies in the last four as neither side will be able to match South Africa’s haul of six points.

They meet in the final Super Eight game at 09:30h on Sunday, with the winner progressing to the semi-finals.

After restricting Zimbabwe to 153-7, South Africa lost three wickets inside the powerplay, with Sikandar Raza (3-29) removing openers Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram for single-figure scores and Ryan Rickelton for 31 (22).

From 43-3, Brevis combined with David Miller (22 off 16) for a 50-run fourth-wicket stand off 25 balls to break the back of the chase before both batters fell in the space of five deliveries to set up a nervy finish with 53 runs needed from 56 balls.

Earlier, Zimbabwe captain Raza had proved a thorn in South Africa’s side with the bat, striking a defiant 73 (34), including eight fours and four sixes. Clive Madande (26 not out) was the next highest scorer, chipping in with a handful of late boundaries to take Zimbabwe beyond 150.

Teenage quick Kwena Maphaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-21. (BBC)

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The Australia women’s tour of West Indies later this month will no longer include a Test match with the hosts wanting to prioritise white-ball cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup later this year.

The initial schedule for the trip was to include West Indies’ first Test since 2004, and only their second since 1979, but the tour will now comprise three T20Is in St Vincent (March 19, 21 and 23) and three ODIs in St Kitts (March 27, 29 and April 2).

“Our planning this year prioritises maximising white-ball readiness ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup,” Miles Bascombe, Cricket West Indies’ director of cricket, said. “This series forms a central part of that preparation, allowing us to concentrate resources and build combinations.

“We remain committed to the long-term growth of women’s Test cricket, and discussions are already underway for a future red-ball opportunity, including a highly anticipated series against England in 2027.”

Cricket Australia’s head of scheduling and operations, Peter Roach, said that both boards had “pursued every reasonable course” to retain the Test.

“However, it was also important that this series be played in more than one venue ensuring the best possible facilities and varying conditions,” Roach said. “We’re grateful Cricket West Indies has worked within their constraints to make this happen.

“CA continues to support women’s Test cricket while acknowledging the differing circumstances in some member nations and their desire to play and promote T20 cricket as they grow the women’s game.”

The tour is set to mark the full new era for Australia under the captaincy of Sophie Molineux after she took over the T20I side against India recently before handing back to Alyssa Healy for the final part of her international career which concludes with a Test in Perth. However, Molineux has been ruled out of the remainder of the India multi-format series with a back injury which could leave her in doubt for the tour.

The ODI leg will be Australia’s first matches in the new cycle of the ICC Women’s Championship which decides qualification for the 2029 ODI World Cup with the current series against India not included.

West Indies are currently hosting Sri Lanka in Grenada where they lost the ODI series 2-1 and were bowled out for 49 in the first T20I before rained forced a no result. (ESPNcricinfo)

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Training is the foundation of long-term success for any business or organisation. This is especially true for agencies certified to national and international standards, which are regularly updated to reflect new research, emerging technologies, safety requirements and evolving industry best practice. Among these agencies is the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), which over the past decade has remained a consistent and committed stakeholder of the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) and its standards-based training initiatives.

The GGMC was established in 1979 from the former Department of Geological Surveys and Mines, itself the successor to the Geological Survey of British Guiana. Operating under the Ministry of Natural Resources, its mandate is to facilitate, monitor and regulate the sustainable utilisation of Guyana’s mineral resources, including petroleum.

In 2011, the Commission was successfully certified to the ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems (QMS) Standard. While this certification strengthened the agency’s ability to execute its mandate, it also required the continuous training and retraining of employees to maintain conformance to requirements, to avoid issues that can lead to safety risks, reputational damage and more.

As a result, the GGMC’s Training Department continues to partner with the GNBS to access training on the ISO 9001 Standard and other relevant programmes offered annually. GGMC’s Training Officer, Jevon King, disclosed that over the years, employees of the Commission have completed courses such as Understanding and Implementing ISO 9001, Process Mapping, Risk Management, Internal Auditing of QMS, GYS 170 – Requirements for the Operation of a Laboratory, and ISO 45001 – the international standard for Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Management Systems, among others.

On completing these training courses, Mr. King noted that “employees are more confident in their work. They know what to do and how to deliver, which puts the organisation in a better position to perform because it makes the job easier for both employees and customers.”

“Of course, if I know what I have to do, then my output will be great and the Commission will be able to fulfil its mandate,” he added.

Employees benefiting from the training include officers within the Land Management, Audit, Human Resources and Environment Divisions.

Continuous training has also enabled the agency to strengthen safety in its operations, adapt to staff changes and promotions, maintain competitiveness and boost overall staff morale.

Mr. King, who has also benefited personally from some of the programmes, lauded the GNBS for its “excellent” delivery of the courses.

“It was excellent, and the other reviews were good. We had no complaints from the persons who were trained, so I must say it was well received,” he said.

Safety Inspector Irvie London also noted that the training has helped him “tremendously” in executing his daily duties.

“The facilitators and trainers understood their course content, and it was delivered at a level where everyone was able to participate. Everyone was able to ask questions and interact based on what was delivered, which made the experience better,” he said.

Having previously completed aspects of safety standards training at the tertiary level, he explained that while he had a general understanding of the standards, the GNBS provided the in-depth practical knowledge required.

“We had to start from a documentation level, and this soon became critical as we embarked on different investigations in the mining sector requiring key documents to be completed to determine the next steps,” he explained, while encouraging others to pursue training through the GNBS.

“I have already started encouraging others to get trained by the GNBS, especially colleagues I attended the University of Guyana with,” he added.

The officers expressed gratitude to the GNBS for its continued commitment to delivering high-quality training to both public and private sector organisations, thereby improving the overall delivery of safe and quality services in Guyana.

To view the GNBS Training Schedule for 2026, please visit the GNBS Website: www.gnbsgy.org and click the Business Development Tab.

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Please see statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation:

The Government of Guyana reiterates the need for the sustained pursuit of lasting peace and stability for the Middle East.

The unprovoked attack by Iran on the Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait is unjustified and in breach of international law.

The Government of Guyana condemns the attacks on these Sovereign States and call upon all parties to de-escalate in the interest of peace and stability in the region.

Guyana expresses full solidarity with the Government and People of the Kingdom of Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait, and condemn all actions by Iran in attacking these countries.

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President Dr Irfaan Ali announced Saturday that the beautification feature unveiled at Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital will be replicated across Georgetown as part of a broader cultural and urban transformation agenda.

The newly developed promenade spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady in collaboration with the Ministries of Housing, Public Works and Local Government enhances the hospital’s exterior with landscaped greenery and pedestrian-friendly design.

President Ali said the initiative is not merely aesthetic but psychological and cultural in its intent. “The environment does something to you psychologically,” he stated. “It is very difficult to walk down and see these trees and decide to throw a bottle alongside them.”

He explained that the government is thinking at “multi-layered levels”, using infrastructure and beautification to fast-track cultural and mindset changes while raising national standards.

“This is the standard we want to set,” the president said, adding that similar projects will be rolled out across Georgetown.

He commended the first lady and the supporting ministries for their collaborative effort, noting that as Guyana builds rapidly, development must be guided by clear standards and a forward-looking vision.

“We are not only building infrastructure,” President Ali remarked, before stating that, “We are building a culture. We are building a society that works for everyone.”

Since 2020, a number of recreational spaces under the beautification project have been developed, with more underway or planned.

These include facilities at Okum Beach, Leguan (Region Three), Bath Settlement and Bush Lot (Region Five), Number 63 Beach (Region Six), Kato (Region Eight), and Wismar and Spikeland in Linden (Region 10).

Some notable projects delivered under Mrs Ali’s leadership include the Independence Park in Anna Regina, the Children’s Play Park at the National Park, the Kingston Seawall Esplanade, Zia’s Play Park at Leonora, the Unity Beach Play Park and the May 26 Nursery Complex at Melanie Damishana on the East Coast of Demerara.

This year, an allocation of $35 million was provided in the national budget to continue the National Beautification Project and community support through her office.

This covers the construction and upgrading of children’s parks and public parks, as well as the installation of play sets and bins and the general improvement of public recreational spaces.

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More than 100,000 Guyanese children will now grow up with their baseline health data captured and permanently recorded under the government’s expanding digital healthcare system, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced on Saturday.

The head of state made the disclosure while addressing the commissioning ceremony of the new Outpatient Pavilion at Dr Balwant Singh’s Hospital on East Street, Georgetown, where he outlined sweeping reforms designed to modernise and future-proof the national health sector.

According to President Ali, the integration of electronic health records and expanded screening initiatives means that tens of thousands of children already have their baseline medical data securely stored, creating a system that will track their health journey throughout their lives.

“More than 100,000 children will now grow up in an environment where their baseline health data has already been captured and recorded to track them for the rest of their lives,” the president said.

He said, “That is a new future our children will grow up in. That is the new norm.”

He explained that capturing early health indicators allows for improved monitoring, faster diagnosis and more effective long-term treatment planning, particularly as children transition into adolescence and adulthood.

The initiative forms part of the government’s nationwide rollout of electronic health records and digital platforms aimed at reducing waiting times, eliminating inefficiencies and strengthening preventative care.

President Ali noted that by establishing proper patient records early, the country is shifting from reactive to proactive healthcare.

“We are building a healthcare system in which waiting times are reduced, shortages are eliminated and early detection becomes standard practice,” he said.

“These are the things that will make the difference long after all of us are gone,” the head of state added. “That is how we take Guyana safely, better and healthier into the future.”

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The upcoming East Bank Inter-Village Football Competition has received a high-profile boost after the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed its financial backing for the tournament.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McKoy, handed over a sponsorship cheque to Sports Extra’s Franklin Wilson during a ceremony on Friday, describing the event as a vital “stage of opportunity” for Guyana’s rising stars.

The tournament, which features a massive $ 3 million prize pool, aims to discover the next generation of national talent from the East Bank Demerara corridor.

Speaking at the presentation, Minister McKoy underlined the government’s focus on using sport as a tool for “holistic development.”

“The East Bank Inter-Village tournament can create a structured space to refine raw ability and discover future national players,” McKoy said. “It promotes healthy rivalry that strengthens community bonds.”

The Minister pointed to the nationwide construction and refurbishment of sports facilities as evidence of a “continuum of investment” in youth development and social cohesion.

The competition offers prize money totalling in excess of $ 3 million, along with trophies and individual accolades for Best Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player and Highest Goalscorer.

The first prize is set at $ 1 million, while the second, third, and fourth prizes are $500,000, $250,000, and $150,000, respectively.

Beyond the team prizes, individual accolades, including Best Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player, and Highest Goalscorer, are also up for grabs.

Villages set to participate are Agricola, Grove, Friendship, Soesdyke, Timehri, Kuru Kururu, Swan, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Circuitville, Samatta Point, Kaneville, Mocha, Herstelling, Diamond, Hauraruni and Yarrowkabra.

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Pupils of the Saxacalli Primary and Nursery Schools were encouraged to see themselves as environmental leaders during the launch of the ‘Saxacalli Rainforest Activity Book’ on Friday at the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre on the left bank of the Essequibo River.

The publication was officially launched by the EMC Foundation, the non-profit arm of Environmental Management Consultants (EMC), in what organisers described as a significant private-sector contribution to environmental literacy in Guyana. Delivering the keynote address was Minister of Education, Sonia Parag.

Minister Parag praised the initiative for empowering young learners to become “agents of change.”

“A leader doesn’t always look like the President or a Minister — it looks like you, whether you are six or eleven years old,” she told the pupils.

The Minister underscored that despite Guyana’s rapid economic transformation, the country’s greatest wealth remains its biodiversity and its people.

“When we are protecting our country and preserving our environment, we are protecting our wealth and our own self,” she stated.

She also referenced President Irfaan Ali’s launch of the Global Biodiversity Alliance, noting that Guyana continues to position itself as a global leader in ecosystem protection.

Friday’s event also highlighted the Foundation’s Environmental STEM (E-STEM) programme, which integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics with environmental education. Through the programme, students are introduced to modern tools such as camera traps and digital applications to study the unique flora and fauna of the Essequibo region.

Managing Director of EMC, Shyam Nokta, reflected on his more than 20-year relationship with the Saxacalli community, commending Toshao Helen Williams and local educators for sustaining a balance between development and conservation.

A key component of the initiative is a strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education to establish and support environmental clubs in primary and secondary schools across Guyana. These clubs work closely with the Foundation to implement the E-STEM curriculum, adopting a “learn by doing” approach that transforms the rainforest into a living laboratory.

Through continued support from the Rainforest Centre, the EMC Foundation aims to equip the next generation of citizens and researchers with the skills and awareness necessary to safeguard Guyana’s environmental assets.

The launch ceremony was attended by several conservation and education stakeholders, including Ms. Alona Sankar, Commissioner of the Guyana Wildlife Conservation and Management Commission (GWCMC); Ms. Suzanne DeAbreu, Guyana STEM Initiative Lead at ExxonMobil; Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan, former international cricketer and EMC Foundation Patron; and Ms. Sasha Lall of Hyde Park Conservation.

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