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The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) has announced that its National Open and Intermediate Championships will be staged on October 25-27 at the National Gymnasium, with this year’s edition carrying special significance.

The three-day event has been renamed in honour of the late Terrence Poole, the revered coach and administrator who dedicated more than 40 years of his life to the sport.

October 2 will mark one year since Poole’s sudden passing at a medical facility in Georgetown, with his death sending shockwaves through Guyana’s sporting community and the wider Caribbean boxing fraternity, where he was widely regarded as one of the region’s finest technical minds.

A former member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Poole was the recipient of the Medal of Service (MS) for his outstanding work in sport and national development.

Poole made history in 2014 when he became Guyana’s first International Boxing Association (AIBA) Three-Star Coach after completing the elite coaching course in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The Three-Star certification is the highest level attainable for amateur coaches, and at the time of his death, only Sebert Blake had joined him in Guyana with that distinction.

Poole’s qualifications often saw him assisting Caribbean nations at international tournaments, particularly those without coaches certified to at least the One-Star level.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle explained that naming the championship after Poole was both fitting and necessary.

“It is important that we honour him through this tournament because this was his ‘baby’,” Ninvalle said.

“He put in a lot of extra work to ensure it provided a platform for emerging talent. Development was always at the heart of everything Poole did.”

As Technical Director of the GBA, Poole was instrumental in successfully organising the National Open and Intermediate Championships during his tenure.

Ninvalle noted, “Given that he passed away in October, we felt it was most appropriate to keep his name and legacy alive through this event.”

In addition to this year’s National Open and Intermediate Championships, the GBA will also host the Terrence Poole Memorial Tournament, which will be an international fixture featuring boxers from across the Caribbean.

“Poole was an irreplaceable figure in our association, and to this day we continue to feel his absence, especially around this time when we are putting together such important events,” Ninvalle said.

Ninvalle pointed out that the upcoming championships are highly anticipated, with several boxers who excelled at the Novices eager to showcase their skills on the bigger stage.

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Minister of Education, Sonia Parag and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Pauline Sukhai on Saturday visited several ongoing school projects in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), where they told contractors that deadlines and quality standards must be met in the execution of key projects.

The site visits were to schools and dormitories as the government pushes to expand access to secondary education in the hinterland.

At the Three Miles Dormitory, the existing structure is being renovated to house male students while a brand-new dormitory is being constructed for female students.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Pauline Sukhai on Saturday visited several ongoing school projects in Region Seven (Photo: News Room/ September 20, 2025)

Parag and Sukhai then visited the Bartica Secondary School dormitory, which is about 70 percent complete and is undergoing major renovation and expansion. One completed building and a finished floor of another will be officially handed over on Wednesday.

Other projects are progressing steadily. However, the Karrau Secondary School has experienced setbacks due to challenges encountered sourcing wood for the structure. That issue has since been addressed, but the school will not be completed within the original timeline.

“So the solution is to examine carefully what are the challenges and what will be done to ensure the school is finished,” Sukhai said.

The Karrau Secondary School is under construction (Photo: News Room/ September 20, 2025)

The ministers warned contractors that the projects are expected to be completed by respective deadlines which are October and December 2025, in time for the new school term.

Once finished, the dormitories will house hundreds of students from various communities across the region, significantly improving access to education for hinterland youths.

Sukhai told News Room that these projects represent a huge investment by the government to ensure every child in the interior has the opportunity to pursue secondary education.

“It’s a positive for the hinterland students whereby the environment which they have to study now will be much more improved, space capacity improved including the necessary needs for advancing secondary education,” she said.

Minister of Education, Sonia Parag (center) and Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development Pauline Sukhai (right) on Saturday visited several ongoing school projects in Region Seven (Photo: News Room/ September 20, 2025)

She was firm that contractors must deliver on their commitments.

“We would like to see that all the contracts that we have awarded to contractors that they are done in a timely manner. If, for example, they are not going to be done in a timely manner, our government has been working to ensure that the remedial actions are taken so that we can house our children,” Sukhai added.

Parag echoed this call for accountability, noting that the site visits are meant to push contractors to stay on schedule.

“We are making sure that we are not giving too much leverage to be able to complete but have it complete in a timely manner and have the students move on,” she said.

The Bartica Secondary school dormitory is under construction (Photo: News Room/ September 20, 2025)

“Because the idea is to have them (students) have the access.”

She further stressed the importance of quality. “Ensuring [that] the works are done properly” is a key part of the ministry’s oversight, Parag said, revealing that contractors are now required to submit weekly progress reports, including photographs and percentage updates on the status of works.

Across Guyana’s hinterland, primary education is already accessible, and these projects form part of the government’s broader effort to improve and expand secondary education.

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Officers of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) arrested one individual following the interception of a major cocaine shipment at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) on Saturday.

In a press statement, CANU said during the operation ranks discovered 53 parcels of suspected cocaine that were reportedly intended for a KLM flight en route to Amsterdam.

One individual was taken into custody at the scene and later escorted to CANU Headquarters for further processing.

At the headquarters, the suspected narcotics were weighed and found to be approximately 66.8 kilogrammes (or about 147 pounds).

Investigations are ongoing.

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Guyana’s Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle has hailed the recent trilateral meeting between Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana as a resounding success, describing it as a major step forward in preparations for this year’s Inter Guiana Games (IGG).

The Games, which bring together the best young athletes from the three territories, will be staged in Guyana from December 5–7.

Ninvalle travelled to Paramaribo over the weekend for critical discussions surrounding the staging of the championship, where he was joined by Sophia Darlington Browne, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Guyana in Suriname.

According to Ninvalle, the three countries not only mapped out a framework for the upcoming Games but also reviewed last year’s edition, which was hosted in Cayenne, French Guiana.

French Guiana’s delegation was led by Gilles Le Gall, CTG Elected Official in charge of Sports, alongside CTG Director of Sports Tatiana Tisserand, CTG Administration representative Johann Lafontaine, interpreter Abby-Gill Acton, and Christian Brosseron, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of France in Suriname.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle (left) meets with Suriname’s Minister of Sport Lalinie Gopal after being introduced by Suriname’s School Sport Federation President, Aniel Ghisaidoobe (centre)

Suriname’s contingent featured Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Lalinie Gopal, Director of Sport Enrique Ralim, and senior members of the country’s School Sport Federation.

This year’s IGG will focus on student-athletes between the ages of 14 and 18. However, the sporting disciplines are yet to be finalised, with Ninvalle pointing out that the countries agreed to give their respective federations time to decide which sports will be included.

At last year’s Games, the athletes competed in athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, chess, futsal, swimming, and table tennis.

“The meeting, by all indications, was a success. There’s a high degree of enthusiasm for the IGG by all three countries, and that is important,” Ninvalle said.

He added, “As you know, Suriname has a new Minister of Sport, and I’m happy to see that they came in understanding the importance of the IGG. They are fully committed to supporting the Games.”

A follow-up virtual meeting of the Organising Committee is set for Wednesday, where further outstanding matters will be addressed.

First staged in Suriname in 1967, the Inter Guiana Games were designed to strengthen ties and foster friendships between Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana through sport.

Over the years, the event has become a vital platform for young athletes to showcase their talent while promoting unity and cultural exchange.

The Government of Guyana, under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali, has reaffirmed its commitment to the Games, recognising their role in building character among youth and in promoting sport as a vehicle for social development.

With Guyana as the host in 2025, Ninvalle expressed confidence that the country will deliver a memorable edition of the IGG.

The post IGG talks deemed a success; Ninvalle confirms Guyana ready to host December 5-7 event appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Police uncovered a cache of narcotics, ammunition, and cash during an intelligence-led operation on Friday, at Sideline Dam, Beterverwaging, East Coast Demerara.

According to a Police statement, between 12:05 hrs and 14:00 hrs, ranks first searched a corner shop owned by David Mingo, 42, where they found packaging materials, including a large plastic sealer and several ziploc bags, but no illicit substances.

Acting on further intelligence, Police said officers combed a nearby plot of land east of the shop, hidden beneath thick vegetation.

There, they discovered a white salt bag at the root of a palm tree and a small white bucket containing 3,895 grams of suspected cannabis. The bucket contained three boxes with 60 live 7.62×39 mm rounds, one box with 50 live 9mm rounds, 785 grams of suspected cocaine and $78,500 in cash, Police said.

Mingo and the seized items were taken to the Sparendaam Police Station.

He reportedly denied knowledge of the narcotics and ammunition. The substances, ammunition, and cash were lodged as the probe continues.

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Police have launched a manhunt for two suspects after seizing over 41 kilogrammes of marijuana during an intelligence-led operation at the Haslington North seawall on Friday morning.

Police Headquarters, in a statement said ranks from Regional Division 4C and the Special Branch moved in on the location between 07:00 and 07:30 hrs, where a yellow-and-red wooden boat, Paraboo GA 0480/5, was docked.

A man and woman were spotted aboard but bolted into nearby bushes as the officers approached, evading capture, Police said.

A search of the vessel uncovered four large compressed parcels wrapped in transparent plastic containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis.

The boat’s 48-horsepower Yamaha engine and the narcotics were taken to the Cove and John Police Station. Fingerprint checks on the packages proved unsuccessful due to the wrapping material, Police Headquarters added.

The parcels were later weighed at the Police Narcotics Branch, Eve Leary, and amounted to 41,753.178 kilogrammes (92.05 pounds) of marijuana with an estimated street value of GY$37.5 million.

Samples were extracted and lodged as evidence, while the boat remains under Police guard.

According to Police, efforts are being made to arrest the suspects who have since been identified by their aliases “Black Boy” and “Lisa”.

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The Guyana Police Force is searching for Timothy Fraser, a 32-year-old businessman of C Field, Sophia, who allegedly raped a child.

Police Headquarters reported that the man was arrested on September 6 but was subsequently placed on $200,000. He remained in custody for several days as he was unable to make bail, but that was reportedly reduced for him to have pretrial liberty on September 15.

Police noted that the file for this matter was delayed due to the wait for a forensic interview report. When the report was obtained, the advice given was that the man should appear before the court. However, when the matter was called on September 17, the man failed to appear.

“Efforts were made yesterday to serve a summons on him for court, but he could not be located at his Sophia home.

“A police Wanted Bulletin is being prepared, as indications are that he left for the interior,” Police Headquarters said.

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Hand-in-Hand Insurance Company, one of Guyana’s oldest and most trusted insurers, has entered into a strategic partnership with Joint Independent Providers Association (JIPA) Network to offer policyholders greater access to coordinated medical care abroad.

This new collaboration allows Hand-in-Hand clients to receive care through JIPA’s robust network of accredited hospitals and specialists across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The agreement is designed to help more Guyanese families access advanced care for complex or urgent medical needs, while receiving logistical and clinical support every step of the way.

Speaking on the agreement, Hand-in-Hand Managing Director stated, “We are delighted by this partnership with the JIPA Network to provide expert overseas care coordination services to our customers. We have admired JIPA for a long time and are pleased that our clients will now be able to benefit from their extensive network and expertise that will result in better health outcomes.”

In response, CEO of JIPA Network Dr. Kester Nedd stated that “The partnership with Hand in Hand creates a significant opportunity for Guyana’s population to gain greater access to affordable healthcare through JIPA’s provider network. It will strengthen local healthcare ventures, expand Guyana’s connections to the international medical community, and enable providers to engage with global centers of excellence in care.”

With over 160 years of service to the Guyanese people, Hand-in-Hand has consistently evolved to meet the changing needs of its policyholders. This partnership with JIPA reflects the company’s continued commitment to ensuring clients have access not only to trusted care locally, but also to high-quality, coordinated options overseas when needed. The agreement allows clients access to JIPA Network’s extensive global provider network of over 300,000 physicians, hospitals, and specialty centers across the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Clients benefit from streamlined care coordination, expert clinical oversight, pre-negotiated pricing, and logistical support throughout their treatment journey.

The agreement will bolster local healthcare providers by facilitating patient support and coordinating access to overseas treatment where necessary. At the same time, JIPA is collaborating with hospitals and medical institutions across Guyana to strengthen local capacity, with the aim of building on the government’s significant investments in the health sector and positioning the country as a regional hub for specialized care in the Caribbean.

JIPA Network is a Miami-based healthcare organization with a pan-Caribbean footprint, connecting providers across the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States, and West Africa. For more than two decades, JIPA has delivered patient-first solutions in international care coordination, concierge care management, healthcare technology, and Third-Party Administration (TPA). Through referrals, medical travel, care coordination, and claims processing, JIPA has helped thousands of patients access high-quality care across borders (Hand-in-Hand Insurance company press release)

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Days after Nigel Hughes resigned as the leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC), the party announced that its chairman, David Patterson, will serve in the position in the interim.

Hughes, who was elected leader in June 2024, confirmed his decision in a letter of resignation in which he accepted full responsibility for the outcome. He said the results were beyond disappointing, the responsibility for which rests solely on his shoulders, while thanking the party for the opportunity to serve. However, the AFC’s National Executive Committee said it will be urging Mr. Hughes to return to serve as leader, at least until a national conference is convened to elect a new leadership team.

The AFC’s executive body expressed gratitude to Hughes for his “heroic efforts” before and during the campaign. The AFC also said it will assess its electoral performance to identify what is needed to “regain standing.”

See below the full statement from the AFC’s National Executive Committee: 

The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Alliance For Change (AFC) met yesterday September 19, 2025, in extraordinary session to consider, among other matters, the purported resignation of its elected Leader, Mr. C.A. Nigel Hughes.

While recognizing Mr. Hughes’ clear intention to act responsibly and uprightly by accepting responsibility for the Party’s electoral misfortunes, the NEC unanimously expressed its gratitude to him for his heroic efforts and invaluable contributions before and during the campaign. The NEC further affirmed that the responsibility for the Party’s electoral performance rests collectively on the entire executive, and not on Mr. Hughes alone.

The NEC has also directed that a delegation of its members meets with Mr. Hughes to appeal to him to continue serving as Leader until a National Conference is convened to elect new leadership. In the interim, the Party’s Chairman, David Patterson, will fulfill the duties as Leader.

The Party further notes that history is replete with examples of political movements reduced to zero seats in representative assemblies that have nevertheless managed to recover and return stronger. In this regard, work has already commenced on a comprehensive SWOT assessment of the AFC’s 2025 electoral performance, with emphasis on identifying what is needed for the Party to regain its standing.

The NEC reaffirms its commitment to rebuilding and repositioning the AFC as a strong, credible, and people-centered political force. The Party remains dedicated to serving the people of Guyana, defending democracy, and advancing the interests of all citizens.

We call on all members, supporters, and well-wishers to remain united, steadfast, and engaged as the AFC undertakes this process of renewal. Together, we will overcome this moment of difficulty, and together, we will ensure that the AFC rises again to play its rightful role in shaping a brighter future for Guyana.

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An afternoon ride home from school turned into a tragedy on Friday afternoon when eight-year-old Supriya Khan died in an accident along the main access road at Parika Backdam, East Bank Essequibo.

Supriya, a Grade Three pupil of the Parika Back Primary School, was riding home with her father, 32-year-old Imran Khan, on an electric bike around 15:30 hrs when the accident unfolded.

According to Police statement, motor pickup GAB 8162, driven by 22-year-old Arif Alli of Parika, was heading east in the same direction as the electric bike when the driver attempted to overtake. In the process, Police said, the pick-up collided with the e-bike, throwing both father and daughter onto the roadway.

Supriya was picked up by the driver of the pickup in an unconscious state and taken to the De Kinderen Public Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her father is receiving treatment at the same hospital; he is suffering from a fractured skull.

Supriya Khan and her father, Imran Khan

The child’s grieving mother, Ramona Rackbar, told the News Room that she is trying to come to grips with the tragedy.

“He [Imran] was calling out to everybody he knew. A lil after he ride off, persons said they hear the impact and when they watch out they see baby [Supriya] pitch off the bike,” Rackbar told News Room.

She added, “She breathed her last on the bed. She bleed out.

“I am really broke. I cannot eat. I am only living off of liquid. I can’t function.”

The woman said her husband remains hospitalised but doesn’t yet know that his daughter passed away.

Police also reported that breathalyser tests conducted on Alli revealed readings were well over the legal limit. The tests showed that he had 128 and 134 microgrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath; the legal limit is 35 microgrammes. He remains in custody as investigations continue.

Meanwhile, the body of little Supriya has been taken to the Ezekiel Funeral Home, where a post-mortem examination is expected.

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