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The national Under-17 two-day warm-up match between Ramdehol XI and Ram XI concluded in a draw on Tuesday at the La Bonne Intention Ground, but it was not without some notable individual performances.

National batsman Shamar Apple of Ramdehol XI stole the show with a blistering half-century and sharp work behind the stumps, earning him the Player-of-the-Match award.

Batting first after winning the toss, Ramdehol XI posted a respectable 232. Richard Ramdehol anchored the innings with a patient 97 off 175 balls, while opener Parmeshwar Ram contributed a solid 41.

Ram XI’s bowling was led by leg-spinner Navindra Sankar, who claimed 4 for 58, and was ably supported by pacer Shane Prince, who bagged 3 for 24.

In reply, Ram XI surpassed their opponents’ total, piling 327.

The innings was highlighted by a fluent 91 from the 13-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Lomar Seecharran, who continues to impress after scoring 95 in the recent regional Under-15 tournament. Dhanesh Persaud added a gritty 67.

Ramdehol XI’s bowlers fought back late, with off-spinner Romario Ramdehol taking 4 for 26 and Gibran Yacoob chipping in with 3 for 37.

Ramdehol XI declared their second innings at 222 for 4 in 36.5 overs.

Gibran Yacoob (left) and Romario Ramdeholl

Apple’s fantastic display made the aggressive declaration possible. He stole the spotlight with a rapid 69 off 50 balls, an innings that included four fours and four sixes.

He also put on an impressive wicketkeeping performance, executing two sharp stumpings. Adrian Hetmyer also boosted the scoring with an unbeaten 58.

The match, a final preparatory fixture for the national Under-17 squad ahead of the upcoming regional tournament, was designed to fine-tune form and sharpen game awareness.

A second warm-up match will begin on Thursday at the same venue.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Regional Under-17 Tournament is scheduled to take place in Trinidad and Tobago from August 11 to September 2.

This year’s tournament features both Two-Day and 50-over formats. (Modified Press Release from Guyana Cricket Board) 

Guyana Under-17 Squad: Romario Ramdeholl (captain), Parmeshwar Ram (vice-captain), Richard Ramdeholl, Lomar Seecharran, Emmanuel Lewis, Adrian Hetmyer, Shamar Apple (wicketkeeper), Nicholas Lovell, Feeaz Baksh, Dave Mohabir, Navindra Sankar, Gibran Yacoob, Micah Amsterdam, and Darwin Joseph.

Standbys: Vishal Williams, Bhomesh Lall, Johnathan Mentore, Shane Prince, Jathniel Nurse, and Dhanesh Persaud.

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Though the United States (US) could require bonds of up to US$15,000 for some tourist and business visas soon, the country’s Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, said Guyanese won’t have to pay that.

“Currently, Guyana is not included on that list; it does not apply to Guyanese applying for a visa,” Theriot said on the sidelines of an event on Wednesday.

Recently, it was reported that the US would be launching a pilot programme as part of efforts to

crack down on visitors who overstay their visas.

The program gives U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose bonds on visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays, according to a Federal Register notice. Bonds could also be applied to people coming from countries where screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient, the notice said.

President Donald Trump has made cracking down on illegal immigration a focus of his presidency, boosting resources to secure the border and arresting people in the U.S. illegally.

While unsure of current numbers, Theriot said Guyana’s overstay rate is not high. As such, the country is not on the list of nations to be affected by this new programme.

Visitor’s visa: US may ask some to pay up to US$15,000 in security deposit

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The Guyana Under-15 football team bounced back strongly at the Concacaf Boys Championship, securing a convincing 3-1 victory over the Cayman Islands on Wednesday in Aruba.

The win eases the sting of a tough 5-0 loss to Puerto Rico in their tournament opener.

The young Golden Jaguars found their rhythm on the pitch, with Mark Glasgow breaking the deadlock in the 29th minute.

The momentum continued into the second half as Nyron Barrow added another goal in the 49th minute, and Germaine Garrett sealed the deal with a late strike in the 70+3 minute.

Guyana’s final group match is scheduled for August 7.

They will take on Cuba at 09:00h as they look to build on this crucial victory.

Guyana’s U-15 Roster for the Concacaf Championship:

Goalkeepers: Nyal Kendall, Matthew Gajadar

Defenders: Mekaiya Daniels, Simon Solomon, Nyron Barrow, Tyler Abrams, Travis Grogan, Pharez Noble

Midfielders: Jaden Tasher, Ashan Phillips, Damani Hardy, Jeden Nelson, Raven Vanooten, Germaine Garrette, Mark Stewart

Forwards: Mark Glasgow, Brendan Parks, Kennard Halley

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United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, said her government was not involved in the decision taken by local banks to close the accounts of candidates from Azruddin Mohamed’s WIN party.

Such decisions, she said, would be taken entirely by the local banks, possibly after discussions with corresponding banks in the US.

“This is a private sector discussion that I had nothing to do with, so maybe there were discussions with the banks here and their associated banks in the US,” Theriot said when asked about the closure of the local accounts being linked to concerns from corresponding banks in the US.

Four local banks- Demerara Bank, GBTI, Citizens Bank, and the New Building Society- closed accounts belonging to candidates of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party. WIN is led by businessman Azruddin Mohamed, who has been sanctioned by the US Treasury Department.

‘Banks guided by strict regulatory obligations’ – GABI 

On 11 June 2024, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Department of the Treasury announced the imposition of sanctions against the Mohamed family—specifically targeting Nazar Mohamed, his son Azruddin Mohamed, and their businesses: Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World, and Team Mohamed’s Racing. These sanctions were related to alleged gold smuggling and corruption.

As a result of the OFAC sanctions, the Mohameds’ business licences were revoked, and their bank accounts were closed.

Mae Thomas, the former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, who was also sanctioned, and her family members had their accounts closed, too.

Individuals closely associated with sanctioned persons or entities may expose financial institutions to serious legal and financial risks. As such, banks are taking steps to protect themselves.

This caution stems from the need to safeguard their correspondent banking relationships. A correspondent bank is a foreign bank that helps a local bank conduct international transactions and business. Instead of establishing branches overseas, local banks work with correspondent banks to send money abroad, facilitate international card payments, and handle accounts and documentation related to cross-border transactions.

Theriot, however, clarified that the OFAC sanctions are for the US and pertain only to business being done with or in that country.

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Abiola Jackman and rising star Terron Wintz are set to step into the ring this Saturday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on the highly anticipated Elton Dharry/Roger Saldana Pro-Am card.

Wintz, who was recently crowned the Caribbean Champion and secured the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) title last weekend in St Lucia, will face Justice Joseph of St Lucia in an international bout.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s most decorated elite female amateur boxer, Abiola Jackman, will take on Trinidad and Tobago’s Merlicia Durham.

This will mark Jackman’s return to the ring after her opponent failed to show in St Lucia.

According to Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), these matchups are part of a broader strategy to provide top young boxers with consistent exposure to high-level competition.

“We want to use every available opportunity to keep our boxers actively involved, and so far, we’ve seen both Abiola and Terron perform exceptionally well,” said Ninvalle. “Their inclusion on this card reflects our commitment to sustained development and competitive readiness in the sport.”

Elton Dharry Promotions and NexGen Global Promotions, in association with the Guyana Boxing Board of Control (GBBC) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, are presenting the Pro-Am card.

The event will be headlined by a 10-round clash between internet sensations Laured Stewart and James Moore for the Guyana Cruiserweight National Title.

Guyanese boxing icon Elton Dharry will continue his march toward a world title opportunity in October, as he takes on the Panamanian Roger Saldana. International fan-favourite Keevin Allicock faces a tough test against Colombia’s Omar Cuello, while veteran campaigner Dexter Marques returns to action against Colombian Sammy Ramos.

The evening will also feature a stacked amateur undercard, curated by the GBA, showcasing some of Guyana’s brightest young talents.

Ninvalle confirmed this amateur portion is designed to give local boxers meaningful exposure in front of a supportive home crowd.

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In a major step towards digitising the healthcare sector, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has launched ‘eCARE,’ an electronic health record system that replaces paper charts with secure, cloud-based patient files.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer Robbie Rambarran made the announcement recently during a social media broadcast. He explained that the ‘eCARE’ service now allows every patient to have an electronic record, which will be accessible by workers in various departments.

This eliminates repeated paperwork and improves the workflow at the medical institution, making it easier for the multi-disciplinary team to collaborate.

Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Robbie Rambarran (News Room/December 30, 2024)

“This isn’t just a technology change, it is a transformation in how we deliver care with greater accountability, transparency and efficiency,” Rambarran stated.

Every act of care that is being delivered to patients is supported by the new system. Other features in the hospital are also being upgraded to match the new intervention.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s health sector has seen tremendous improvements and modernisation.

These include the construction of regional hospitals, fully equipped with facilities intended to provide comprehensive healthcare to Guyanese in every region. To complement this transformation, the government continues to invest heavily in human resources and development training.

Investments are also being made in electronic health records, AI-assisted diagnostics, and even robotic surgery. With support from global partners, local hospitals are now connected to international imaging and lab services, available 24/7.

Several processes were undertaken, including the passage and enactment of the Data Protection Act, aimed at preventing the misuse or theft of the personal data of patients.

Earlier in March, the Ministry of Health (MoH) signed a US$3.3 million contract with RioMed Limited for the implementation of a national electronic health record system. The first phase of that project began at the GPHC and all its satellite clinics.

After the first phase is complete, other clinics will be looked at, and the goal is to have the electronic health record system used in all facilities across the country.

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National swim coach Paul Mahaica has been elected president of the newly revived Guyana Lifesaving Society.

The move follows the conclusion of a First Aid and Lifeguard programme, an initiative facilitated by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

In a transparent electoral process, Ewin Enmore and Trevon Gillis, who were elected Vice Presidents, will support Mahaica.

Kenita Mahaica will serve as the association’s secretary, and Ruritanya Bhudu will be named treasurer.

The Guyana Lifesaving Society’s core mission is to reduce water-related injuries through education, training, and public awareness.

The body is also tasked with promoting overall safety in, on, and around water.

The revival marks a significant milestone, building on a special meeting held in July, where more than 50 local lifeguards convened to officially revitalise the organisation.

Tamera Wood and Sarah Newton, two representatives from the Canadian Lifesaving Society, supported this key development by facilitating the training programme in Guyana.

The Canadian Lifesaving Society awarded seven lifeguards, three examiners, 41 Emergency First Aid, 32 Bronze Medallion, and 28 Bronze Cross certifications.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, has praised the revitalisation and pledged the full support of the National Sports Commission to Mahaica and his new team.

Ninvalle expressed his pleasure at seeing Mahaica at the helm and remains optimistic about future collaborative efforts to safeguard the country’s waterways.

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APNU was one of two political parties that abstained from signing the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) Code of Conduct to uphold ethical campaigning and peaceful engagement throughout the electoral period. In a statement issued Thursday, APNU gave its reasons for doing so.

The Forward Guyana Movement, led by former PNC/R member Amanza Walton-Desir, was also absent from the signing on Wednesday.

See below the full release from APNU: 

The APNU Coalition would like to enter into the record its reasons for not signing the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) Code of Conduct. Let us be abundantly clear that while we believe in the value of a Code of Conduct on peaceful, respectful, and lawful campaigning, we have no confidence in the impartiality and independence of the Ethnic Relations Commission. Under the PPP government, the ERC has become merely a political stooge. Not surprisingly, it has accordingly failed to perform its many constitutional functions.

The ERC is therefore unfit to serve as the sponsor of a Code of Conduct on peaceful election campaigning. Thus, we see the signing ceremony as a political gimmick, one that will do little to promote free and fair elections and to serve the interests of the Guyanese people.

The APNU Coalition hereby pledges to the nation that we will conduct our campaign in a peaceful, lawful, respectful manner – as we already are. We embrace the fact that Guyanese have the constitutional freedom of expression, association and assembly. We embrace the fact that Guyanese must be able to freely vote for the party of their choice.

As the next government, we will create the conditions for the ERC to transform itself in line with its constitutional mandate.

Four parties sign ERC’s code of conduct, commit to ethical campaigning and peaceful 2025 elections

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While addressing residents of Belvedere North in Region Six during a recent People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) public meeting in that Region, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh pointed out that the PPP/C is the only truly national party in Guyana and that persons do not have to look very far to see why this is the case, with party candidates and members ranging from all various religions and ethnicities in Guyana as well as of a wide range of professions.

Referring to the large turnout of supporters at all the meetings and rallies hosted by the party in the various regions including Rose Hall, the Minister asked, “…and why is it that we are seeing this massive support for the People’s Progressive Party? Why is it that in 2025 we are witnessing what Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo described as a tsunami of support for the PPP/C? What is it that is triggering this tsunami of support for the PPP/C? Is it by accident? Is it good luck or luck and chance? Absolutely not! We are witnessing this tsunami of support for the PPP/C for a few very fundamental reasons.”

The Minister listed one of the main reasons as being because citizens want the best party who can run the country to serve them. ‘Who will you go to, other than a man or a woman or a team that has demonstrated that it has a vision and the competence and the capability to run a country, Dr. Singh posited adding that the party has demonstrated this track record.

“I want you to look across the spectrum of the people who are asking you to make them the government and to make them the President. Look at all of them! None of them ever run anything other than the People’s Progressive Party and Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali! None of them!” the Minister highlighted to loud applause from residents who agreed.

“Look at the whole line up in APNU! Not one of them has ever run anything in their lives, not one of them has ever managed anything in their lives, not one of them has ever built anything in their lives and they want to run country,” he added.

Dr. Singh then referred to the promises being made by the various opposition parties as nonsense.

“All of this nonsense that they are walking around promising is designed to fool people and to insult people’s intelligence and to create the impression that ‘oh we will share out everything and you all will be good, don’t have to work or nothing’ as if people today are stupid to be deceived and to believe that nonsense,” he explained.

“I will ask you today: which political leader in 2025 has outlined a sensible vision for Guyana and for Region Six? Which political leader has outlined any vision at all for Guyana and for Region Six? It is almost like Region Six doesn’t exist for these people. But guess what? Have you heard them express a vision for Region Ten? Or Region One? Or Region Two? No Region! Not one! Because they are visionless,” Dr. Singh concluded.

Minister Singh them reminded the Berbicians about President Ali’s  ‘exciting vision’ for the country including the infrastructural transformation starting with two bridges-a new Berbice Bridge and Corentyne River bridge and a four-lane highway, new all-weather roads linking Berbicians to Orealla and Siparuta, new roads and allowing for the opening up of tens of thousands of arable lands for farmers and for more agricultural production and for more livestock and more income for farmers. He noted further that more money will therefore be circulating in the country’s economy.

The Minister concluded further that plans for the Region also include facilities for farmers to develop their products beyond primary products and Government wants this for the ancient county as well as jobs and other opportunities for young people in Region Six in various sectors including health, tourism and education.

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The Ministry of Housing and Water, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), has issued a Notice of Contravention to a business found illegally occupying sections of the road and drainage reserves along the western lane of the Mandela–Eccles four-lane highway, marking a significant crackdown on unauthorised land use.

The formal notice, served to the business owners or their agents, states that concrete was poured and structures erected unlawfully in violation of the Town and Country Planning Act, Chapter 20:01. As a result, CH&PA has begun dismantling the illegal encroachment, reinforcing its commitment to uphold planning and development laws.

According to the agency, the business had received approval for a development plan in December 2023, but access to the site was designated via an internal access road to the west, not directly from the highway. Despite this, the owners proceeded to carry out construction and operational activities that spilled onto public reserves, including key infrastructure areas meant to facilitate traffic flow and drainage.

The Notice of Contravention instructs the business to “immediately remove all encumbrances,” including poured concrete, construction materials, machinery, and any other equipment obstructing the reserves. It also makes clear that all activity must remain within the legally approved boundaries of the property and must not hinder traffic or compromise public infrastructure.

This enforcement action sends a strong signal to all businesses and property developers: the CH&PA will not tolerate illegal encroachments that threaten road safety, drainage systems, and orderly urban development. The Ministry underscored that such actions undermine public planning and can have wider implications for safety and accessibility.

In a statement, the Ministry reaffirmed its stance: “Public reserves and roadways are critical to national development, and protecting them from unlawful occupation is essential to ensuring that infrastructure remains safe, accessible, and sustainable for all citizens.”

The CH&PA has warned that similar action will be taken against any individual or business found to be operating outside the bounds of the law, and is encouraging all stakeholders to adhere strictly to development guidelines and approved land use regulations.

This latest move is part of a broader push to maintain order, safety, and compliance in the development of public spaces as Guyana continues its rapid infrastructural transformation.

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