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Team AJM Racing is set for a landmark moment in Guyanese motorsport, confirming the historic debut of a Porsche GT3 at the prestigious Caribbean Clash of Champions event on 2nd November at the South Dakota Circuit.

Local driver Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr will pilot the new high-performance machine.

His entry marks a significant development for the nation.

It introduces only the second GT3 specification car to Guyana’s ranks, dramatically raising the stakes in the top-tier GT3 Spec Race.

Team AJM Racing has underlined its serious intent by forging a partnership with UK-based Bourne High Performance Powertrains Ltd (Bourne HPP), a world-class engine builder with an elite pedigree spanning Formula 1, Le Mans, and the World Endurance Championship (WEC).

Bourne HPP has meticulously prepared the new Porsche GT3 and the team’s key Group 2 entry: a full-build Honda Civic.

The Civic will spearhead AJM’s effort to dethrone reigning Group 2 champion Shan Seejatan, signaling a full-scale assault across multiple categories.

The team’s commitment is further demonstrated by fielding a multi-car lineup, including two additional Honda Civics (one locally built, one from the US).

This showcases their depth and capability as they prepare to be one of the headline acts at the regional meeting. (GMR&SC)

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November is set to be a historic month for motorsports in Guyana.

The Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club (GMRSC) will dedicate the entire month to speed and adrenaline as it prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary.

Established in 1955, the GMRSC is one of the oldest and most prestigious sporting organisations in the Caribbean.

This year’s milestone celebrations will combine the premier international Circuit Race and Drag Race events, aiming to cement Guyana’s position as a hub for sports tourism.

The action begins on November 2nd with the highly anticipated Caribbean Clash of Champions at the South Dakota Circuit. This premier international event will see top Caribbean, European, and American competitors vying for records and glory on the circuit.

The excitement will conclude on November 30th with Drag Wars, which will close the month with blistering quarter-mile action.

This event is the final round for the local Circuit and Drag Racing Championships, where the 2025 champions will be officially crowned.

The combination of these two major events is expected to attract thousands of spectators and international participants, injecting significant energy into the local tourism sector.

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The national sporting base is set to be expanded after President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced a landmark initiative to create dedicated Indigenous national teams across three major disciplines.

Speaking at the Amerindian Heritage Games on Saturday, President Ali confirmed that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport has been tasked with immediately developing Indigenous squads for football, cricket, and volleyball, with basketball planned to follow.

The initiative aims to establish national tournaments to ensure the full integration of these teams, providing a clear pathway for athletes from Indigenous communities to compete at the highest national level.

President Ali has enlisted the support of two former West Indies cricket stalwarts to ensure the success of the talent identification and development process.

Former West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has been asked to lead the mentorship and scouting for the male Indigenous cricketers.

Sarwan’s remit will cover working with regional bodies nationwide to select the first national Indigenous cricket team to compete in formal national tournaments.

On the women’s front, former West Indies player and coach Roger Harper will oversee the development of women’s cricket across the country, with a special emphasis on scouting and nurturing Indigenous female talent.

“For too long, our indigenous athletes did not get the opportunity that other athletes had to represent Guyana,” President Ali stated.

“I have tasked Minister Charles Ramson, Minister Jacobs, and Minister Sarah Browne-Shadeek to ensure equal opportunity for indigenous communities to represent the golden arrowhead in all national sports.”

Creating these dedicated teams marks a decisive push to broaden the player base and ensure greater representation across Guyana’s competitive sporting structure.

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Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, on Friday evening joined Chinese Ambassador Her Excellency Yang Yang at a reception marking the 76th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, hosted at the Mariott Hotel.

Extending congratulations on behalf of President Irfaan Ali, the Government, and the people of Guyana, PM Phillips commended China’s “remarkable achievements,” describing the country as a global symbol of vision, resilience, and transformation.

He reflected on the historic relationship between Guyana and China, established in 1972 when Guyana became the first English-speaking Caribbean nation to formalise diplomatic ties with Beijing.

“This strategic move was more than just a mere diplomatic gesture; it showed that we all want to live in a world where countries can work harmoniously together across historical and geographical lines,” the Prime Minister said.

Phillips pointed to the tangible results of this partnership, including the new Demerara River Bridge project, six regional hospitals being built by Chinese companies, and the arrival of the 21st Chinese Medical Team to Guyana. He also underscored the importance of ongoing cooperation in health research and development.

On education, he highlighted the value of Chinese scholarships, calling them investments in the “shared future” of both countries.
“These young leaders of tomorrow are bridge-builders of the future, helping our countries to understand each other better and work together,” he added.

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips,

The Prime Minister also drew attention to shared climate commitments, noting the alignment between Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 and China’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. He said both countries are advancing renewable energy and resilience, which will “expedite the global transition to a sustainable, low-carbon world beneficial to present and future generations.”

Looking ahead, PM Phillips identified housing development, urban planning, and expanded healthcare and research collaboration as key opportunities. He noted China’s expertise in large-scale, affordable housing construction as an area where Guyana could benefit significantly.

“Cooperation between Guyana and China continues to strengthen through trade, diplomacy, and people-to-people connections rooted in a shared commitment to creating a better world,” he affirmed.

The Prime Minister was joined by his wife, Mrs Mignon Bowen-Phillips, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance and Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gail Teixeira, other Cabinet members, the diplomatic corps, and members of the Chinese community in Guyana.

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In keeping with President Dr Irfaan Ali’s vision of transforming Guyana into a leading aviation hub in the region, Chief Executive Officer of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), Ramesh Ghir, is spearheading air service development discussions at the prestigious Routes World Conference 2025 in Hong Kong.

Ghir has been holding a series of high-level meetings with senior executives from major international airlines across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, pitching Guyana’s growing role as both an investment destination and a gateway to the wider Caribbean and South America.

“The response has been very positive,” Ghir reported. “Airlines were impressed by Guyana’s rapid rate of development and are constantly assessing the market with a view to providing airlift in the future.”

Ghir, who also serves as Chairman of the Guyana Tourism Authority, has been engaging with tourism bodies and airport leaders to forge stronger global partnerships. He noted that such collaborations are essential in boosting Guyana’s destination appeal and aligning tourism with aviation growth. Current analysis shows that more than 600 passengers travel daily from Asia and the Middle East to the Caribbean—an untapped opportunity Guyana hopes to capture.

Since 2020, Guyana has pursued an aggressive air service development strategy, successfully attracting 11 new airlines, including British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, United Airlines, and Avianca.

The Routes World Conference is the largest annual gathering of aviation decision-makers, attracting over 700 organisations, among them more than 300 airports, 200 airlines, and 80 tourism bodies. This year’s event features some of the world’s largest carriers, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air India, China Eastern and Southern Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, and Turkish Airlines.

With Guyana’s aviation and tourism sectors advancing in tandem, officials are optimistic that new partnerships from the Hong Kong conference will pave the way for expanded international connectivity.

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Nepal created history as they beat West Indies by 19 runs in Sharjah for their first-ever win against a Full Member across formats. They had beaten Afghanistan in a T20I in 2014, but Afghanistan were an Associate back then.

Even if you keep the win aside for a moment, it was a historic occasion for Nepal: their first T20I against West Indies and the start of their first bilateral series against a Full Member.

They made it even more special by outplaying the two-time world champions in every facet of the game. It was a complete team effort by Nepal. Six of their batters hit at least one six, six of their bowlers took at least one wicket, and they were by far the better side in the field.

Leading a second-string West Indies side that featured four debutants, Akeal Hosein opted to field after winning the toss. Nepal did not start well and both their openers were back in the pavilion by 3.1 overs. Kushal Bhurtel was beaten by an arm ball from Hosein and was stumped. Aasif Sheikh stepped out to Jason Holder but miscued the lofted shot and was caught by a backpedalling mid-on.

Until the final over of the powerplay, Nepal had hit just two boundaries.

Their captain Rohit Paudel doubled that count with back-to-back fours off debutant Ramon Simmonds in the sixth over, but it was Kushal Malla who provided the real momentum. He first smashed Fabian Allen to the long-on boundary for a four and then, in the spinner’s next over, deposited one into the stands for the first six of the innings.

Malla hit another six, off Obed McCoy this time, to take Nepal to 68 for 2 at the end of ten overs. He and Paudel added 58 off 45 balls before both holed out against debutant legspinner Navin Bidaisee. Gulsan Jha and Dipendra Singh Airee tried to keep the momentum going, but Bidaisee struck again, getting rid of Jha to finish with 3 for 29 from his four overs.

Then, in the 19th over, Holder picked up three wickets. But thanks to West Indies’ catching that oscillated from jaw-dropping grabs to face-palming drops, Nepal had a fighting 148 for 8 on the board.

Kyle Mayers kicked off the chase with a first-ball four. But it all went downhill for West Indies from there. It started with Bhurtel’s direct hit to run Mayers out in the second over of the chase. Ackeem Auguste, another debutant, hit two delightful sixes but he too fell inside the powerplay.

Still, West Indies were placed fairly well at 40 for 2 after six overs. But after that, the Nepal spinners spun a web from which the West Indies batters could not come out. Paudel and Lalit Rajbanshi gave away only 16 in the next four overs while picking up a wicket each.

With West Indies needing 93 from the last ten overs on a pitch where the shot-making was not easy, Nepal were the favourites. Three overs later, Dipendra Singh Airee’s brilliance in the field sent back Keacy Carty. Carty had set off for a non-existent single after pushing the ball towards covers. His partner sent him back but he could not beat Airee’s bullet through to the wicketkeeper.

After that, West Indies depended heavily on Holder but he could manage only 5 before holing out to deep midwicket off Bhurtel. Bidaisee, Fabian Allen and Hosein tried to keep the fight on with their big hits but they could not keep up with the asking rate. West Indies needed 70 from the last five overs, and 49 from the last three.

In the 18th over, the otherwise flawless Nepal fielders dropped Hosein twice in two balls. The first one went for a four and the second for a six. But Karan KC removed the West Indies captain in the following over, leaving Allen to score 28 from the final. He could not pull that off. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Demerara Bank Limited is preparing to transform banking in Guyana with the launch of its first mobile app, a revamped e-banking platform, and cutting-edge digital services designed to give customers greater control and convenience.

The announcement was made on Saturday by Jerrett Morgan, Senior Manager of Visa Operations and Finance, during an event at the bank’s corporate office on Camp Street, Georgetown. He said the upgrades—supported through Demerara Bank’s partnership with the Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) for international payments—are aimed at putting “more power in the hands of the consumer.”

“At the heart of this, we want to put more power in the hands of the consumers, allowing their banking experience to be versatile, flexible and allowing them to bank as they need,” Morgan explained.

Jerrett Morgan, Senior Manager of Visa Operations and Finance at Demerara Bank Limited. (Photo: News Room/ September 27, 2025)

While acknowledging Guyana’s heavy reliance on cash, he said the bank is carefully introducing innovations that encourage electronic payments. Earlier this year, Demerara Bank launched its Priority Pass programme, linked to its signature card, giving clients access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide.

Now, the bank is taking bigger steps. Among the upcoming features are:

Digital wallets and tokenisation: Customers will be able to add cards directly to their mobile devices.

Transaction controls: Users can choose which types of transactions to allow or block.

Enhanced security tools: New protections for safer online banking.

Integrated customer support: Expanded assistance across digital channels.

One of the most significant advances will be in foreign trade processing. Demerara Bank will soon become one of the only banks in the Caribbean—and among the few in South America—to introduce machine-to-machine (M2M) processing of foreign transactions.

“This major change will reduce manual intervention and operational burdens, not just for consumers, but for the bank,” Morgan noted.

He stressed that Demerara Bank is committed to staying ahead of global trends, pointing out that while many still view plastic cards as modern, they are already being overtaken worldwide by digital solutions.

“Plastic cards are seen by some as the future, but globally it is the past. As we make advances in card payments and technology, you’re going to see much more coming from Demerara Bank going forward,” Morgan said.

The upgraded e-banking platform will serve as the hub for these innovations, offering customers a modern, secure, and flexible digital banking experience.

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The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) has announced that the ongoing dry season is severely affecting water supply in several hinterland communities, particularly in Region One.

The prolonged dry spell has led to the depletion of surface water sources, forcing the company to adjust pumping schedules to manage limited capacity.

In Santa Rosa, residents have already seen changes to their water delivery schedule. GWI assured that the adjustments are temporary and are being carefully managed while long-term solutions are rolled out.

To strengthen resilience, GWI said it is pressing ahead with an aggressive groundwater development programme. A new well was recently completed in Rincon, with another underway in Mora and two more in the Santa Rosa Islands. These projects are expected to be advanced within the next month and will reduce reliance on surface water sources.

The company also reported falling water levels at other key sources, including Mabaruma Springs. Residents are being urged to conserve water and use it wisely.

“Sharing this information widely within communities will also assist in ensuring that residents remain prepared and supportive of these measures,” the utility advised.

GWI reiterated its commitment to providing safe and reliable water service in the hinterland and said further updates will be provided as works progress.

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Demerara Bank Limited (DBL) has launched a bold new initiative designed to fuel innovation and entrepreneurship in Guyana. On Saturday, the bank unveiled the Dream Build Lead (DBL) Innovation Tank — a $10 million Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) revolving programme aimed at empowering local entrepreneurs through grants, mentorship, and capacity-building.

The programme will support ten entrepreneurs with non-repayable grants of up to $1 million each. To qualify, businesses must be registered in Guyana, no older than five years, and pursuing innovative solutions that contribute to national development while remaining environmentally sustainable.

Speaking at the launch at the bank’s Camp Street corporate office, Imran Badruddin, Senior Manager of Investments and Business Development at DBL, said the initiative reflects the bank’s long-standing history of pioneering creative financial solutions.

“For more than three decades, Demerara Bank has been leading the way in creating products that address the unique needs of our customers,” he noted.

Over the years, the bank has rolled out unsecured credit lines for rice farmers, revolving facilities for the forestry sector, unsecured loans for poultry farmers, and residential mortgages with interest rates as low as 5%.

But the DBL Innovation Tank goes beyond just funding. Entrepreneurs will also benefit from structured mentorship, technical guidance, and exposure to networks through partnerships with the Guyana Manufacturing & Services Association (GMSA), the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) Guyana, and the Centre for Local Business Development (CLBD). Participants will pitch their ideas before a live judging panel, blending competition with opportunity.

Govindra Raghubansi, Executive Director of GMSA, underscored the programme’s potential to strengthen local industries:

“We’ve seen the transformational impact that access to finance, mentorship, and partnerships can bring.”

Richard Leo, Executive Director of AMCHAM Guyana, highlighted the value of international links, saying:

“This represents a pathway for U.S. firms to connect with local businesses, while facilitating knowledge and technology transfer.”

Meanwhile, Ron Glasgow, Programme Lead at CLBD, said the collaboration aligns with Guyana’s rapidly evolving entrepreneurial landscape.

“What I like about this is that it builds the robust skills necessary to do business, and then you have institutions that provide the financing [support].”

The DBL Innovation Tank underscores Demerara Bank’s commitment to fostering innovation and sustainable growth in Guyana — turning bold ideas into impactful businesses.

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Max Verstappen took an emphatic victory on his GT3 debut at the Nordschleife in the Nurburgring Endurance Series.

Driving a Ferrari 296 entered by Emil Frey Racing alongside team-mate Chris Lulham, Verstappen jumped from third to first at the start and proceeded to create a gap of approximately one minute at the front of the field over the first two hours of the race, with metronomic consistency.

The four-time Formula 1 world champion then handed the car over to Lulham, with the 22-year-old Briton managing his advantage to cross the finish line 24.5 seconds ahead of the Ford Mustang GT3 shared by Dennis Fetzer, Jann Mardenborough and Fabio Scherer.

The four-time Formula 1 world champion then handed the car over to Lulham, with the 22-year-old Briton managing his advantage to cross the finish line 24.5 seconds ahead of the Ford Mustang GT3 shared by Dennis Fetzer, Jann Mardenborough and Fabio Scherer. (Motorsport.com)

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