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Guyana’s Elite League champions, Slingerz Football Club, have been handed their winnings after the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) hosted an official cheque presentation ceremony just weeks after the season concluded.

The ceremony, held at the National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence, saw the GFF distribute a total of GY$4,925,000 in club prize money and awards to the top clubs and individual performers from the 2025 Elite League Season VII.

In a welcome move for Guyanese football, the prompt payout of funds marks a departure from previous seasons, ensuring clubs receive the vital financial resources needed for immediate planning and preparation for the next season.

GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay oversaw the distribution of funds, celebrating champions Slingerz FC, who completed a dominant, unbeaten campaign.

Slingerz, who drew their final match 0-0 with Guyana Defence Force (GDF) in late October to complete their undefeated run (16 wins, two draws), had already sealed the title with two games to spare.

Their supremacy across the 90-match season was rewarded with a top prize of GY$2,000,000, along with an automatic berth in the prestigious CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield.

According to the GFF, “the Elite League is the nation’s premier professional football tournament”.

The full breakdown of the club prize money, totalling GY$4,500,000, is as follows:

Position	Club	Prize Money (GY$)
1st	Slingerz FC	2,000,000
2nd	Guyana Police Force FC	1,200,000
3rd	Guyana Defence Force FC	800,000
4th	Western Tigers FC	500,000

Individual Honours

Beyond the club winnings, the GFF also recognised the League’s standout players with cash prizes totalling GY$425,000:

• Most Valuable Player (MVP): Darron Niles (Slingerz FC) – GY$150,000
• Top Goal Scorer: Neron Barrow (Guyana Police Force FC) – GY$100,000
• Best Goalkeeper: Akel Clarke (Slingerz FC) – GY$100,000
• Best Young Player: Malcolm Hendrick (Santos FC) – GY$75,000

 

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The future of female football in Guyana will be on display as 16 primary school teams prepare for the ninth annual MVP Sports Girls’ Under-11 Pee Wee Football Championship, kicking off on November 15.

The tournament, a collaboration between the Petra Organisation and MVP Sports, runs until December 6 at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue, and is seen as a vital platform for grassroots development.

Sixteen schools, including One Mile, Stella Maris, and West Ruimveldt, will compete in the initial group stage, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the quarter-finals.

Speaking at the launch on Thursday, Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca emphasised the importance of providing consistent opportunities for young girls, noting the tournament’s growth.

“We’ve seen the direction female football has been heading,” Mendonca said. “With MVP Sports’ backing, we’ve been able to host a steadily growing Under-11 tournament, and we’re committed to ensuring these young players have a safe and supportive environment to showcase their talent.”

MVP Sports CEO Ian Ramdeo echoed this sentiment, highlighting the role of local competitions in building confidence and skills.

“Local tournaments like this one are stepping stones toward regional and even international competition,” Ramdeo commented. “They help build better athletes, stronger teams, and more confident individuals.”

Prizes on Offer

The competition offers financial support directly to the schools’ development, with the top four teams receiving prizes.

The eventual champion will receive GY$100,000 towards a school project, along with medals and the championship trophy.

The second-place finisher walks away with GY$75,000 for a school initiative, plus medals and the corresponding trophy.

Individual awards for the Highest Goal Scorer and Best Goalkeeper will also be presented at the conclusion of the event on December 6.

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Officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) intercepted a significant quantity of cocaine during an operation at a residence in Hydronie, Parika, East Bank Essequibo on Friday.

Acting on intelligence, CANU officers searched the premises and discovered several parcels containing a whitish powdery substance suspected to be cocaine. Three individuals were arrested during the operation and escorted to CANU headquarters along with the suspected narcotics.

Preliminary testing confirmed that the substance was cocaine, with the total weight recorded at 23.958 kilograms (52.8183488 pounds). Authorities have indicated that investigations into the seizure are ongoing.

This interception is part of CANU’s continued efforts to disrupt drug trafficking operations across Guyana.

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In a show of enforcement and accountability, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit (CANU) Saturday morning, destroyed approximately 926.56 kilograms of seized drugs in a government-backed operation aimed at protecting communities and sending a firm message to traffickers. The haul, which included 618.26 kilograms of cocaine, 308.30 kilograms of cannabis, and smaller quantities of methamphetamine and ecstasy, carries an estimated international value exceeding $4 billion (USD 19.3 million).

Addressing media on-site along Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, CANU Director James Singh emphasised the importance of intelligence, testing and strict adherence to court procedures in ensuring transparency.

“Every gram of narcotic destroyed here today has been fully accounted for, verified, and approved by the courts,” Singh said. “This is not just a symbolic exercise—each kilogram represents a life protected, a community made safer, and a criminal enterprise dismantled.”

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, present at the exercise, highlighted that these seizures demonstrate Guyana’s unwavering stance against the use of the country as a transit point for illicit drugs. “When traffickers see hundreds of millions of dollars literally going up in smoke, they understand that Guyana is serious about defending its borders and communities,” she said.

The destruction exercise follows multiple successful interdictions across Guyana over recent months, from coastal ports to remote hinterland locations. Most of the seized drugs were destined for transshipment to Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa. Based on international street values, the cocaine alone could have fetched €30,000–€40,000 per kilogram depending on the destination.

Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond joins CANU Director James Singh and other staffers, to witness the destruction of approximately 926.56 kilograms of seized drugs.

Director Singh stressed that the exercise adheres to strict protocols. All drugs destroyed were maintained in their original court-approved packaging, and the destruction process was fully documented to assure the public of CANU’s integrity and professionalism.

“This level of accountability and transparency ensures public confidence in our operations,” Singh said. “Every operation, seizure, and destruction activity is intelligence-driven and conducted with precision, reflecting our evolving approach to proactive drug enforcement.”

With ongoing support from the government, CANU is expanding its reach and modernising its operations. The unit is strengthening surveillance, analytic, and intelligence-gathering capabilities, integrating digital, forensic, and aerial technologies. Officers continue to receive advanced training through international partnerships, including SEACOP, COPOLAD, RSS, and the U.S. DEA, ensuring that Guyana meets global standards in drug control and interdiction.

“Thanks to government backing, we are now able to anticipate and prevent drug movements before they happen, rather than react after the fact,” Singh said. “This operation reinforces our commitment to protecting citizens, dismantling criminal networks, and ensuring that Guyana is no longer an attractive route or market for traffickers.”

Both Minister Walrond and Director Singh reiterated that public vigilance and reporting remain crucial. CANU’s success depends on timely information and collaboration with communities, ensuring that Guyana continues to reduce both the supply and demand for narcotics.

News Room’s Kurt Campbell participates in random testing of the narcotics before destruction.

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Vendors who conduct business along the Railway Embankment in Buxton along the East Coast of Demerara will soon be relocated to allow the completion of the ongoing roadworks.

Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, along with his technical team, inspected the area on Friday, which will be constructed into a market tarmac. The vendors will still be able to continue their 24-hour operations.

He made it clear that the property is the government’s and falls under the Buxton-Foulis Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC).

With 42 vendors already identified for relocation, the minister has asked the NDC to select representatives from among them to advocate for their collective interests.

The market tarmac will be upgraded to create a more attractive and comfortable environment for vendors, with newly designed stalls. It will include modern amenities such as washroom facilities and adequate lighting. The work is anticipated to be completed within three weeks.

“You’re going to continue to vend until the tarmac is completed, and then we’ll transition. I’ll come back within three weeks, which will take us to the end of November, and you will have your facility for Christmas,” the minister noted.

He informed them that the structures must be removed in the coming week to allow the works to proceed. [DPI]

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As the University of Guyana (UG) prepares to celebrate its 2025 graduation ceremonies this November, a few extraordinary families are preparing for a moment of shared pride. Among the 3,600 graduands set to cross the stage are three sets of siblings whose stories reflect the power of unity, love, and resilience in the face of adversity.

From Ann’s Grove on the East Coast of Demerara to Betsy Ground in East Canje, these families have weathered hardship, loss, and sacrifice to achieve a collective dream — a university education and a brighter future.

The Jarvis Brothers: Faith Through Grief

For the Jarvis brothers — Jerron, Justin, and Andrew — graduation marks not just academic success but the fulfilment of a promise to their late mother, Nurse Penelope Sertimer-Jarvis.

At 25, Jerron Jarvis will graduate with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree. His journey was defined by immense loss, including the death of a sibling, a close friend, and finally, his mother — just two months before his graduation.
“She always told me I’d be a doctor one day,” Jerron said. “I wanted to work alongside her—doctor and nurse, mother and son. Though she isn’t here, I know she’s proud.”

His brother, Andrew Jarvis, 33, who has worked as an auto electrician with the Ministry of Public Works for 15 years, will earn a Bachelor of Arts in Occupational Health and Safety. Balancing work, studies, and family, Andrew credits his faith for his success. “It was hard juggling everything, especially after losing our mother, but with God’s mercy, I pulled through,” he said.

Together, the Jarvis brothers’ achievement is a testament to perseverance through pain — proof that faith and family can sustain even the most broken hearts.

The Bakhsh Siblings: Determined to Succeed

Siblings Amelia and Julio Bakhsh will be graduating with Bachelor of Science in General Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Exploration Geology respectively.

For Julio and Amelia Bakhsh, their graduation is a crowning moment not just for themselves but for their large family of seven. The siblings, who grew up on the East Coast of Demerara, will both graduate this November — Julio with a Bachelor of Science in Applied and Exploration Geology, and Amelia with a Bachelor of Science in General Psychology.

“It’s a hallmark for our family,” Amelia shared. “Julio and I are the last two to finish our degrees, and it means so much given where we came from and where we are now.”

Julio, who works with the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), managed to balance work and fatherhood, graduating top of his programme with a 3.8 GPA. Amelia, a full-time teacher who earned a government scholarship in 2022, will graduate with a 3.7 GPA. “The road wasn’t easy, but faith and family got us here,” she said.

The Baljit Sisters: From Village Dreams to University Reality

Sisters Devika and Nandani Baljit will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy respectively.

In Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, sisters Devika and Nandani Baljit have made family history as the first to graduate from university.

Devika, 23, will receive a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, and Nandani, 20, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
“This moment feels like a dream we all shared,” Devika said, while Nandani added, “Our parents made countless sacrifices, and this achievement belongs to all of us.”

Their studies began amid the COVID-19 pandemic, where online learning, frequent power outages, and poor connectivity tested their determination. When in-person classes resumed, Devika moved to Georgetown dorms while Nandani continued her studies from Berbice. The sisters remained each other’s motivation, sharing schedules and encouragement across the miles.

Now, Devika hopes to work at the New Amsterdam Hospital Laboratory and advocate for better healthcare in her community, while Nandani plans to become a certified professional accountant and inspire others to pursue higher education.

Across every story, one message resonates — that success is sweeter when it’s shared. As these siblings cross the stage this November, their caps will soar individually, but their victories will rise together.

The University of Guyana, celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year, continues to stand as a beacon of transformation. With over 11,500 students, 9 faculties, and 10 research institutes, UG has produced more than 71,000 alumni — each contributing to Guyana’s growing legacy of knowledge, resilience, and excellence.

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Drowning has been confirmed as the cause of death for two security guards who perished after their boat capsized in the Puruni River, Middle Mazaruni, earlier this week.

The deceased have been identified as 37-year-old Jerwayne Grimmond of Anna Catherina, West Coast Demerara, and 35-year-old Kevis Robin of No. 30 Village, West Coast Berbice. Post-mortem examinations conducted by Government Pathologist Dr. Nehaul Singh at the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home determined that both men died by drowning.

According to initial police reports, the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon when an aluminium boat carrying four men was travelling from Surie Mouth Backdam to Puruni Landing. The vessel reportedly overturned mid-river, throwing all occupants into the water. Two men, including the boat’s captain, managed to swim to safety, while Grimmond and Robin were swept away by strong currents.

Search operations led by police were immediately launched. Grimmond’s body was found later that same day, while Robin’s body was recovered the following morning, on November 6. Investigators also retrieved two firearms—a shotgun and an AR-15–style rifle—along with ammunition belonging to the security company that employed the men.

Police confirmed that there were no visible marks of violence on either body. The recovered weapons and ammunition have been lodged as the investigation into the fatal incident continues.

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Acting President and Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has urged public officials and persons of influence to lead by example and stop meddling in the work of traffic ranks, warning that such interference weakens efforts to make the country’s roads safer.

He was speaking on Friday at the official opening of Road Safety Month 2025, where he reminded that accountability and respect for law enforcement must begin at the top.

According to the Acting President, a key obstacle to safer roads is the tendency of influential figures to pressure police officers into releasing traffic offenders. “We cannot expect discipline in our streets if we keep undermining the people enforcing the law,” he cautioned.

Phillips shared that he is often contacted by friends and relatives who seek his intervention after being stopped by police officers for breaking traffic rules, but he refuses to entertain such requests.

“I get the calls, but I tell them no. The police have their job to do,” he said, noting that he recently had to remind a younger family member that officers have full authority to act as they see fit in such cases.

He recounted that when that relative attempted to hand the phone to the officer, he took the opportunity to encourage the rank directly: “I told him, don’t be intimidated. Handle the matter as you think best.”

The Prime Minister said he intends to keep sending that message clearly and consistently. “People know how I operate, don’t call me for that. If you break the law, face the consequence.”

He went on to challenge his colleagues in high office and other leaders in society to adopt a similar approach. “When those in power refuse to interfere, it sends the right signal and strengthens road discipline,” he stated.

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Some 1,345 new teachers graduated from the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) on Friday after successfully completing training in different fields; it marks one of the largest graduating cohort in the country’s history.

Held under the theme, “Empowering Educators, Inspiring Futures: A Legacy of Excellence,” the ceremony which was kept at the Providence National Stadium, celebrated the resilience and dedication of a new generation of educators — those who endured the challenges of the pandemic and emerged ready to transform classrooms across the country.

Minister of Education Sonia Parag, delivering the keynote address, praised the graduates for their perseverance and reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring that a trained teacher staffs every classroom.

“After this graduation, the percentage of trained teachers in the hinterland will be close to 92 per cent,” Parag said to loud applause.

New teachers at the graduation ceremony

Parag reminded the new teachers that education is the foundation of national development.

“The country cannot transform without our human capital transforming with it. Being a teacher means being a lifelong learner, constantly seeking new ways to inspire and engage your students.”

This year’s graduating cohort include 388 in Early Childhood Education, 384 in Primary Education, 303 in Secondary (TVET, GTE, and TTE), and 35 in other specializations.

“I implore on you that as you step out of this college to take with you every ounce of training, experience and impart it in a manner in which delivery will not be momentous but impactful in the classroom,” Parag urged the new teachers.

CPCE also recorded an impressive 94.25 percent matriculation rate, a reflection of the institution’s strengthened training systems. Since 2020, more than 6,000 teachers have graduated from CPCE, while another 1,456 new students are currently enrolled across 20 satellite centers nationwide.

Delivering the charge to the graduates, Dr Kofi Dalrymple, Advisor to the Ministry of Education on Tertiary Reform, challenged the new educators to embrace their influence.

“Never underestimate the power you hold.

“In every classroom, under every tree, in every virtual lesson, you shape destinies. Education is not merely instruction It is transformation, the daily renewing of our minds,” Dr Dalrymple said.

He urged them to teach with compassion and courage. “Teach not what is written, but what is right. Go forth as teachers, as nation builders, as guardians of Guyana’s promise,” he said.

CPCE’s leadership, in its annual report, reaffirmed the college’s commitment to furnishing the nation’s schools with 100 percent trained teachers.

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