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The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) has been confirmed as a formidable force in national sport, sweeping three top accolades at the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Sport Awards, confirming the discipline’s status as an undisputed power both regionally and internationally.

Leading the charge was Nicolette Fernandes, who was crowned the 2024 Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year following another spectacular season that saw her claim a second World Masters title.

The GSA’s haul was completed by the Senior Squash Team securing the coveted Team of the Year award, while national stalwart Ashley Khalil was named the runner-up for the top female individual prize.

Fernandes, a former world number 19, demonstrated her enduring class and competitive fire by achieving an undefeated run to win gold in the Women’s 40 and over category at the World Squash Federation Masters tournament in the Netherlands.

This latest victory adds to her previous success in the Women’s 35 and over category, confirming her status as a multiple World Masters champion and showcasing a longevity hailed as “unbelievable” by David Fernandes, President of the GSA.

Her influence in 2024 was equally significant off the court: She was appointed Chair of the Women in Sport Commission by the Guyana Olympic Association, and she has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of talent, working closely with the GSA to develop up-and-coming players.

This dual impact—world-level athletic success combined with administrative and coaching efforts—made her a truly deserving recipient of the 2024 award.

The Guyana Senior National Squash Team earned the Team of the Year award following a season of historic dominance, culminating in an unprecedented clean sweep at the regional level.

Solidifying their reputation as the undisputed powerhouse of Caribbean squash, Team Guyana secured gold medals in every single team category at the 2024 Senior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships on home soil, defeating arch-rivals Barbados in the finals.

This historic campaign marked their fourth consecutive championship and seventh overall since the tournament’s inception in 1977, underlining the unity, consistency, and unparalleled performance that was a highlight of the nation’s sporting calendar.

Further underscoring the depth of talent within the GSA, former Caribbean individual champion Ashley Khalil was named the runner-up for the Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year award. Khalil had a stellar run in 2024, winning the ENet Senior National Championships and copping the female doubles title for the third consecutive year at the Caribbean Championships, partnering with Ashley DeGroot.

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For the second year in succession, ENet, Guyana’s leading provider of digital cable television, internet, information technology and media services, has been recognised by the National Sports Commission (NSC) for its continued investment in sport.

NSC Commissioner Chateram Ramdihal (left) presents the Corporate Sponsor of the Year (Large) to ENet representative, Akeem Greene (Photo: News Room/Jeremy Jagroop/November 8, 2025)

Last Saturday at the NSC National Sports Awards for 2024, ENet copped the Corporate Sponsor of the Year accolade in the large category, following up on its recognition in the same category in 2023.

Vurlon Mills Football Academy

During the year under review, ENet, which has been at the forefront of Guyana’s digital transformation, was aligned with major events and champion athletes, underlining its commitment to sport and youth development under its Corporate Social Responsibility programme.

Senior National Squash Championship

Via significant financial and other forms of support, ENet was the title sponsor of the 2024 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Championship, which was hosted in Guyana, as well as the Guyana Squash Association’s Senior National Championship and the Caribbean Clash of Champions motor-racing event during the same year.

Official Partner of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League

Throughout 2024, ENet, Guyana’s only locally owned telecommunications company, also sponsored all national squash teams, and was one of the Official Partners of the first-ever Global Super League, the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, Youth Basketball Guyana and the Lusignan Golf Club.

Caribbean Clash of Champions at South Dakota Circuit

During 2024, ENet also signed Guyana’s world-class bodybuilder Rosanna Fung, Caribbean Superbike champion Matthew Vieira and the promising multi-talented athlete Zion Hickerson as Brand Ambassadors.

From left: Rosanna Fung, Matthew Vieira and young Zion Hickerson

Fung recently created history by becoming the first Guyanese bodybuilder to win a world title by lifting the Wellness category at the prestigious Binous Classics in Dubai, while Vieira won the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club’s Superstock A Class for 2025.

In the other categories of corporate awards, MVP Sports (Medium) and Trophy Stall (Small) were adjudged winners.

CASA Senior Caribbean Squash Championship in Guyana 

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The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) made a resounding impact at the National Sports Commission’s 2024 awards ceremony, with its young sprinters sweeping the top prizes for junior athletes following a phenomenal season on the regional and continental stage.

Sprinters Malachi Austin and Athaleyha Hinckson claimed the coveted Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards, respectively.

Their teammates, Kaidon Persaud and Tianna Springer, were named runners-up, confirming the depth of talent emerging from the track programme.

Julian Edmonds, the local coach responsible for developing both Austin and Hinckson, was also recognized as a nominee for Coach of the Year, underscoring the success of the AAG’s development structure.

Athaleyha Hinckson, nicknamed the “pocket rocket,” delivered a historic season that firmly established her as a regional force.

The 16-year-old phenom broke records and created milestones, starting with her performance at the CARIFTA Games in St. George’s, Grenada.

There, Hinckson became the first Guyanese female ever to win a 100m gold medal at the prestigious youth championship. She narrowly missed the sprint double, securing a silver medal in the Under-17 200m event.

Her dominance continued on the continental stage at the South American Under-20 Championships in Peru, where she stormed to victory in the 100m title, despite being the youngest competitor in the field.

Capping her breakthrough year, Hinckson accepted a full athletic scholarship to Louisiana State University (LSU), where she now trains alongside her compatriot and fellow award-winner, Malachi Austin.

Austin earned the Junior Sportsman of the Year title after a season defined by record-breaking brilliance in the 400m.

The national Under-20 400m record holder stamped his name in history at the CARIFTA Games, blazing to gold in the U20 400m, a feat made all the more impressive given the dominance of regional powerhouses like Jamaica in the event.

Austin then anchored a phenomenal Guyana’s 4x400m Mixed Relay team to gold and a new CARIFTA Games record, before leading the men’s 4x400m relay team to a bronze medal.

He mirrored this success at the South American U20 Championships in Peru, claiming the 400m title to further cement his status as one of the region’s premier young quarter-milers.

Like Hinckson, Austin now refines his craft on the NCAA Division One circuit, having accepted a scholarship to LSU.

The success of both athletes signifies a crucial upward trajectory for Guyanese track and field.

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McLaren’s Lando Norris extended his championship lead over team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri to 24 points with a dominant victory at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

But Norris’ second consecutive victory – which takes him nearly a clear win ahead of Piastri with three grands prix remaining – was overshadowed by a remarkable recovery drive by Max Verstappen.

The Red Bull driver finished third, right behind Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, after starting from the pit lane and suffering an early puncture.

Verstappen, though, is now 49 points behind Norris and probably out of title contention.

Piastri finished fifth, challenging Mercedes’ George Russell in the same way as Verstappen was on the back of Antonelli in the closing laps, after being given a 10-second penalty for causing a collision.

The main storylines of a compelling race were:

• A superb weekend-long performance from Norris moves him closer to a first world title
• Verstappen’s extraordinary performance, which will go down as one of his greatest drives
• The apparent slow death of Piastri’s championship hopes in the second half of the season

Norris completes perfect weekend

Norris’ victory, his second in succession and his seventh in 21 races this year, was never in doubt on what the Briton described as a “perfect weekend”.

The 25-year-old controlled the race from the front after taking pole position, to add to the sprint victory from pole he took on Saturday.

The weekend has netted him a total of 33 points and put a headlock on the championship.

“To be honest, I didn’t think we were the quickest out there on track today so I’m glad to take home the win,” Norris said.

“It’s a great win but to be honest seeing how quick Max was today, I’m pretty disappointed we weren’t quicker.”

Asked about the championship, he added: “There’s not a long way to go but it can change so quickly like we’ve seen today, so just focus on myself, keep my head down, ignore everyone and keep pushing.” (BBC)

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Two teenagers are receiving medical treatment after the car they were travelling in lost control and crashed into two vehicles at Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, early Sunday morning.

The injured teens have been identified as 18-year-old Colwin Sealey of Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara, and 15-year-old Jaden Edward also from Mahaicony.

According to reports, around 04:00 hrs, motor car PAE 4628, driven by Sealey was heading east at a fast rate along the northern lane of the Bath Settlement Public Road. Sealey reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to swerve onto the southern side of the road where it first collided with a rome plow on the parapet.

The car then struck a parked lorry, flipped into the air, and crashed into a steel-and-mesh fence before finally coming to a halt.

Residents rushed to the scene and rescued both teens, who were unconscious. They were transported to the Bath Regional Hospital, where they were treated for multiple lacerations and placed under observation.

Sealey, who sustained serious head injuries, is listed in critical condition, while Edward remains hospitalised and under medical supervision.

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Fisherfolk in Region Six are expressing strong appreciation for President Irfaan Ali’s recent $150,000 subsidy for each fisherfolk. This is part of an effort to better support these workers.

Sherilyn Bhagwandin, 36, from Alness, who recently lost her boat to arson, expressed her gratitude for the initiative.

“I am glad. We were expecting something. I think it will come in good use. We can take it and buy something to go out and do our trade. I am happy about it,” she said.

Sherilyn Bhagwandin

Chairman of the Albion Fisherfolk Landing Site, Veeram Ramsarran, echoed similar sentiments.

“On behalf of the fishermen of Albion, I would like to thank the President for keeping his commitment in promising us the seines, and he delivered.

“…it will help us buy equipment to do our work daily. It will help with the cost of living. It will help in a big way,” Ramsarran said.

According to the recently released mid-year report, the agriculture, fishing, and forestry sector is estimated to have grown by 9% in the first half of 2025. In that report, which was prepared by the Ministry of Finance, it was noted that further investments and support would go into these sectors.

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Guyana’s national sporting achievement reached a new altitude on Saturday night as the National Sports Commission (NSC) hosted its first-ever ‘Black Tie’ awards ceremony at the Pegasus Suites, celebrating a year of unprecedented success in 2024.

Football star Omari Glasgow and squash legend Nicolette Fernandes were the big winners, claiming the coveted Senior Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards for their sensational performances in 2024.

The gala event was an elegant departure from previous ceremonies, signalling a clear elevation in how the nation recognises its athletic elite.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, delivered an emphatic address, calling 2024 a “special year for sport” and an “extension of the transformation of sport nationwide.”

He highlighted the phenomenal return on the government’s investment of over G$100M in sending athletes to international tournaments.

The initial target was 135 medals, but the nation’s competitors smashed expectations by bringing home a staggering 534 regional and international medals.

“We did because we were ready to start to compete with the rest of the world and start winning those medals,” Minister Ramson Jr declared.

“We have everything inside of us as a nation, to not just compete with the best of the world but to be the best in the world. It requires a cohesive environment and coordinated approach where there is structure.”

Minister within the Ministry, Steven Jacobs, echoed the sentiment, noting that the transformation extends beyond facilities and into the manner of honouring athletes, exemplified by the ‘Black Tie’ ceremony itself.

“Sport is not just a leisure activity, it is a critical part of national life and national development, and it speaks to our One Guyana initiative where we speak about unity, development and cohesion,” Jacobs stated.

While celebrating the unprecedented achievements, Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle raised a point of concern regarding the nomination process.

Ninvalle affirmed the selection process was “democratic and transparent,” but noted that less than half of the more than 30 associations registered under the NSC submitted nominations.

He voiced a concern about a “level of tribalism and clannishness” where associations appear to limit nominations to their own members, potentially overlooking credible performances from across the broader sporting landscape.

The government ministers, meanwhile, challenged the various associations to ensure transparent, fair practices and to develop a “product” attractive enough for Corporate Guyana to partner with and support.

The post Ramson Jr. confident of ‘world-class’ abilities in Guyanese athletes; vows continued Government support appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Akash Kumar Choudhary smashed his way into cricket’s record books in an Indian domestic match, hitting eight consecutive sixes on his way to the fastest fifty ever scored in a first-class fixture.

The big-hitting feat meant he surpassed the feats of two of cricket’s all-time greats by not only striking six sixes in the same over but adding two more from the next two deliveries he faced.

It made Akash the first player ever to hit eight successive sixes in first-class action, while his record-breaking fifty came from just 11 balls.

The stunning knock occurred on day two of the Ranji Trophy Plate Group match between Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh in Surat, in the west Indian state of Gujarat.

Coming in at number eight with Meghalaya 576-6, Akash began with a dot and two singles before hitting six straight sixes off left-arm spinner Limar Dabi.

It made him just the third player to achieve that single-over feat in a first-class match, after West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers in 1968 and former India all-rounder Ravi Shastri in 1985.

The 25-year-old followed that with back-to-back sixes during the next over from off-spinner TNR Mohith, taking him to a half-century.

The 11 balls it took to reach 50 beat the previous record of 12 it took for Wayne White when playing for Leicestershire against Essex in 2012.

Meghalaya soon declared on 629-8, with Akash ending unbeaten on 50 from 14 balls.

If that was not enough, Akash then shone with the ball to put Meghalaya on course for a thumping win.

The seam bowler took 1-10 as Arunachal Pradesh were skittled out for just 73.

And after Arunachal Pradesh were asked to follow on, he took 2-7 as they limped to 29-3 at the close – still a mammoth 526 runs behind. (BBC)

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In one of the most high-profile player trades in IPL history, Rajasthan Royals are set to trade wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in exchange for all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran.

It is understood that both franchises have spoken to all three players involved but neither franchise confirmed the development when ESPNcricinfo reached out to them.

Both RR and CSK have to send an expression of interest naming the three players involved in the trade to the IPL governing council. As per the trading rules, once the players’ written consent comes in, the franchises can have further discussions for a final agreement, which will also be ratified by the governing council.

Samson and Jadeja have been with their respective franchises for a long time. Samson has represented RR for 11 seasons, while Jadeja has played for CSK since 2012, barring the two seasons in 2016 and 2017 when the franchises were suspended. Samson had indicated after IPL 2025 that he was looking for a change and wanted to be released by RR.

Jadeja was retained by CSK ahead of the 2025 mega auction for INR 18 crore as the second player after captain Ruturaj Gaikwad. Along with MS Dhoni, Jadeja has been a constant part of their core. He has been part of three of CSK’s five title wins.

Jadeja played a crucial role in CSK’s win in the 2023 final, with his batting heroics in the last over against Gujarat Titans. It was also his best season with the ball as he finished with 20 wickets. He followed the feat with the bat in 2025, scoring 301 runs in the season, including two fifties.

Jadeja has played 254 IPL matches, the fifth-most in the tournament behind Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik. With 143 wickets, he is the highest wicket-taker for CSK with best bowling figures of 5 for 16.

He has the most Player-of-the-Match awards (16) along with Dhoni too. In 2022, Jadeja was appointed CSK captain, but handed the captaincy back to Dhoni midway after a poor start to the season.

RR was the first team Jadeja represented in the IPL as a 19-year-old, and also the first team he won the title with in 2008. Jadeja played for RR for the first two seasons but was suspended in 2010 by the IPL for trying to negotiate a contract with Mumbai Indians directly. After the ban, Jadeja featured for Kochi Tuskers in 2011 before being bought by CSK for USD 2 million in 2012.

After an impressive maiden IPL in 2013, when RR finished third as well as runner-up in the Champions League T20, Samson was the youngest player retained at 19 ahead of the 2014 season.

That first stint lasted until RR’s two-year suspension in 2016-17 and Samson rejoined the franchise in 2018. He was appointed captain in 2021 and, in 2022, working with Kumar Sangakkara, RR’s team director, led the franchise to the IPL final for the first time since 2008.

Samson has led RR in 33 wins and 33 defeats in 67 matches. In 2024, when RR made the playoffs again, he had a 500-run IPL season for the first time, scoring 531 at an average of 48.27 and strike rate of 153.47.

He was one of six players retained by RR ahead of last year’s mega auction at INR 18 crore and he also remained captain. However, a side injury ruled him out of the second half of IPL 2025, and RR kept losing matches from strong positions to finish ninth out of ten teams.

Samson is RR’s leading run-scorer with 4027 runs, has the joint-most 50-plus scores (25), the joint-highest score (124), and has taken the most catches (149). After he informed RR that he wanted to be released, the franchise initiated trade talks with several teams.

Curran began his IPL career at Punjab Kings in 2019 and played for them again in 2023 – when he became the league’s most expensive player at INR 18.5 crore – and 2024.

In between, he played for CSK in 2020 and 2021. Curran was bought back by CSK for INR 2.4 crore in the 2025 season, when he finished with 114 runs and only one wicket in five games. (ESPNcricinfo)

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The ExxonMobil Guyana Futsal Championship exploded into life on Friday evening with a goal-scoring frenzy at the Retrieve Hardcourt, featuring dominant victories for defending champions YMCA A, Stabroek, and Young Gunners.

The opening night set a high bar for attacking football, though the action was broken up by one thrilling, hard-fought draw.

Stabroek delivered the most comprehensive performance of the night, mauling Fearless 19-4. Bevney Marks was the star, netting an incredible eight goals, while Shaka Lewis added four goals (a helmet-trick) to complete the rout.

Defending champions YMCA A started their title defence strongly, crushing HH Ballers 10-2, with five different players—Kevin Gittens, Jonah Simon, Jamal Bentick, Ryan Noel, and Jermaine Padmore—all bagging two goals each.

In the final lopsided result, Young Gunners blew past Westside Ballers 10-1. The scoring was spearheaded by Dwayne James and Tyrese Lewis, who both secured respective helmet-tricks (four goals apiece).

The most balanced fixture saw Hardball Management stage a superb comeback to earn a valuable 3-3 draw against Bombers. Hardball Management battled back from a three-goal deficit, relying on a brace from Kareem Mervin to snatch a point. Bombers’ scoring was led by Dequain Samuels’ double.

The championship features 16 teams divided into four groups. The top two finishers from each group will progress to the quarter-final segment.

Beyond the top prize of G$1.5M, the eventual second, third and fourth-place finishers will pocket GY$750,000, GY$350,000, and GY$200,000, respectively.

Individual accolades include a motorcycle for the Most Valuable Player and a GY$300,000 economic grant awarded to a player or fan to aid their academic development.

Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Steven Jacobs, conducted the ceremonial kick-off.

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