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The medallists! From left: Joel Rambiriche, Mishka Beharry, and Liam Brumell

Guyana copped four bronze medals at the recently held CAREBACO Junior Individual Badminton tournament in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Joel Rambiriche medalled in the Boys Under-11 Singles and then teamed up with Liam Brumell to cop third place in the Boys Under-11 Doubles.

In the Under-19 Mixed Doubles, Guyanese Mishka Beharry and Jamaican Daniel Forde joined forces to cop bronze.

Akili Haynes and Nkosi Beaton performed coaching duties for team Guyana at the tournament.

In congratulating the athletes, the Guyana Badminton Association expressed gratitude to the National Sports Commission, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Squadra, Republic Bank, Meditron Inc, Joe Jagmohan, Ryan Chang, Sol, Dean Hassan, Mings Products and Services, D.Boodhan and Daughter, TFR Computer and Services, Ludic Balloons, Dr. Carpen, MVP Sports, Ocean Spray Hotel, Swiss House Cambio, J. Hillare and Lizanne Atherly for their support in making the trip possible.

 

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Team Coach FM Anthony Drayton believes Guyana’s four-member Under-16 team delivered a strong performance against tough Latin American opponents at the FIDE World Youth Under-16 Chess Olympiad in Barranquilla, Colombia, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition.

In nine rounds of battle to keep the Guyana Flag flying, they faced opposing teams from Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Guatemala and Chile without going down 4-0 in any round.

According to Drayton, the matches were hard-fought and a test of nerves, but unexpected results from Alexander Zhang and WCM Aditi Joshi cost the team a durable finish and an accolade as the top Under-16 team in the Caribbean and parts of South America.

After a solid performance against Colombia 11 in Round Six, scoring three out of six match points, the Guyanese players were close to bettering their standings. In Round Seven, Guyana faced Peru 4 with Kyle Couchman and CM Sachin Pitamber on the top two boards.

The duo both secured early draws, leaving the job of winning the Round to Zhang and WCM Joshi. Zhang fumbled in a better positional opening and lost a pawn in a combination attack, losing in an unfortunate fashion.

WCM Joshi achieved an equal endgame with the black pieces, but under severe time pressure, with less than ten seconds on the clock remaining, her chances of turning around the team’s fortunes were very slim; time ran out, and she lost the match.

The Round ended 3-1 in Peru’s favour.

Team Guyana, backing camera, facing off against Peru

Guyana faced Chile 3 in Round Eight, and a plan was set with the team poised to take the match. Couchman scored a quick win, crushing his opponent in a potent and well-prepared middle game attack.

Not wanting to be counted out yet, Couchman reached a solid 4.5 out of 8 individual points.

In his match, Zhang committed an unexpected blunder from a better middle game position and lost, while CM Pitamber scored a draw.

WCM Joshi obtained a crushing position against her opponent, but her fortunes evaporated to convert the game into a win. She, too, was forced to settle for a draw, tying the match 2-2. In the ninth and final Round, Guyana was paired with Peru 5.

The day was long, but the games were short and filled with excitement. Zhang obtained a quick draw, but WCM Joshi suffered an unfortunate defeat in a completely winning endgame.

Couchman and CM Pitamber were taken to task to make aggressive moves in fighting chess as they confronted their opponents. In his match, CM Pitamber was completely winning.

However, one slightly inaccurate move caused his opponent to achieve a drawn endgame with nothing to reverse the result. Couchman stood his ground to fight for a win.

He sacrificed three pieces – two Rooks and a Knight to force a checkmate. His opponent also stood his ground, and the match ended in a draw, 2-2. Guyana ended in 52nd position out of 85 teams.

CM Pitamber ended on six points out of nine, gaining an impressive 95 Elo rating points, finishing in 85th position out of 340 participants. Couchman ended with 5.5 points out of nine with a 33 Elo point gain finishing at 109th place in the competition.

Zhang and WCM Joshi ended with 2.5 points each and are searching for new ways to improve with the tournament experience now behind them. The Guyana Chess Federation appreciates the support of the National Sports Commission for the Under-16 Olympiad Chess Team.

The Federation is committed to improving the skills of our chess players on both a national and international level.

The GCF believes this experience will be valuable for the young players’ growth as both individuals and competitors.

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A new four-lane highway, the Great Diamond to Buzz Bee Dam (Craig) interconnection, was commissioned by President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Monday as another project expected to bring relief to commuters.

This new road link is expected to reduce travel time for East Bank Demerara commuters, particularly those who live in Diamond. Additionally, it is expected to spur commercial activity and make available new lands for housing developments.

For President Ali, the road is a “game changer.”

“This is not just a road; it is a statement that Guyana is not afraid to dream big.

“Buzz Bee Dam to Great Diamond is a stepping stone to Soesdyke, Linden, and Lethem… (it is a stepping stone) to a Guyana that is fully connected and fully mobile,” the Guyanese Head of State emphasised.

President Dr Irfaan Ali, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal and Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water Susan Rodrigues at the ribbon cutting for the new highway (Photo: News Room/ August 25, 2025)

The road project was done in five lots and cost just over $1 billion. With it, there are now four-lane roadways from Mandela in Georgetown to Craig (where Buzz Bee Dam is) on the East Bank of Demerara.

Moves to further expand the road linkages across the country, the President said, are part of a vision to bring relief to commuters while reducing inefficiencies. He acknowledged that too much time is wasted dealing with traffic congestion.

And he vowed that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), once re-elected, will continue to address this issue.

“When people say Guyana cannot do it, we must respond, ‘watch us’,” he said.

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–Exclusively distributed in Guyana by GT Automotive

BYD, the world’s No. 1 new energy vehicle brand by sales, has been named the Official Car of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. This landmark regional partnership marks a significant milestone as BYD brings its vision for sustainable mobility to the Caribbean’s biggest cricket celebration.

In Guyana, GT Automotive proudly serves as the exclusive distributor, introducing fans to BYD’s cutting-edge electric and hybrid vehicles at the heart of the tournament. At each Guyana match, GT Automotive will bring BYD closer to fans with its BYD Experience Zone:  an engaging space featuring BYD’s latest vehicles on display, karaoke, fun interactive activities, and exciting giveaways.

Nadia Bulkan, Marketing Lead at GT Automotive, commented:

 “As the exclusive distributor of BYD in Guyana, GT Automotive is thrilled to turn up the energy at the Caribbean Premier League with our BYD Experience Zone. Come visit us at the stadium to discover the style, innovation, and cutting-edge electric technology of BYD’s latest vehicles: leading the way in sustainability and the future of mobility. Sing your heart out at karaoke, enjoy exciting interactive activities, and walk away with amazing giveaways. This partnership is about more than showcasing world-class vehicles: it’s about creating unforgettable moments that celebrate our culture, our people, and our shared passion for innovation.”

The CPL, one of the world’s most-watched T20 tournaments, is deeply woven into Caribbean culture, blending dramatic cricket with the vibrancy of Carnival. As CPL unfolds in Guyana, GT Automotive is ready to connect with fans in an experience that is as electric as the BYD world-class vehicles on display.

The 2025 Republic Bank CPL runs from 14 August to 21 September 2025, with Guyana hosting group stage matches and the full playoff series, including the final, at Providence Stadium.

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The Guyana Prison Service on Monday commissioned its new headquarters at Lusignan, East Coast Demerara. This means that the Prison Service Headquarters will now be relocated from Brickdam to Lusignan.

The new headquarters is situated within the Lusignan Prison compound and offers more space, allowing for expanded administrative operations, improved staff coordination, and closer integration of security and rehabilitative functions.

This strategic move strengthens oversight, enhances operational efficiency, and fosters an environment where safety, rehabilitation, and reintegration work hand in hand to reduce recidivism.

As part of the commissioning, plaques were unveiled for several major facilities completed at Lusignan, signalling a substantial investment in the modernisation of the prison system. Central to these developments are six newly constructed cell blocks, representing a total investment of over $2.2 billion.

The new Prison Service HQ at Lusignan

Each block has been carefully designed to expand capacity, improve living conditions, and enhance safety and security throughout the facility. Beyond increasing space, the modern structures support effective management, facilitate staff supervision, and promote a more humane and orderly environment.

The ceremony also highlighted key rehabilitative and support facilities aimed at equipping inmates with the skills and services essential for successful reintegration into society.

Inside the new Prison Service HQ at Lusignan

These include the Trade Shops for inmates ($54,399,009), providing practical hands-on training in various trades; the Infirmary Annex ($35,807,650), offering improved healthcare services; and the Vocational Training School ($102,180,215), along with its supporting infrastructure and completion works ($29,210,960), which delivers comprehensive education and skills development programmes.

Essential operational facilities were also unveiled, reflecting a balanced and comprehensive approach to correctional management. These include the kitchen ($54,895,720), ensuring the efficient preparation of nutritious meals for inmates; the female officers’ living quarters ($60,232,853); and the senior officers’ living quarters ($91,977,940), providing modern, secure accommodations for staff.

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Police on Monday arrested 25-year-old Kyle Small, a resident of ‘C’ Field, Sophia, after he was allegedly found in possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition.

The arrest took place at around 12:20 hrs.

Police Headquarters, in a statement, said two ranks attached to the Brickdam Police Station’s anti-crime patrol were on duty in the Sophia area, when they received information about a domestic violence report at Lot 593 ‘C’ Field, Sophia.

They went to investigate and upon their arrival, Small was seen walking out of the yard, acting in a suspicious manner. He was stopped and identified himself to the officers.

A search was conducted and a 9mm Taurus pistol was allegedly found hidden in his pants crotch, along with a magazine containing five live 9mm rounds of ammunition.

When asked if he was a licensed firearm holder, police said Small admitted that he was not. As such, he was immediately told of the offence, arrested, and cautioned.

The suspect was escorted to the Turkeyen Police Station, where the firearm and ammunition were marked, sealed, and lodged for ballistic examination. Small remains in custody as investigations continue.

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Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Vishnu Persaud on Monday said that GECOM has been able to confirm that photos of actual ballots were posted online as members of the Disciplined Forces voted across Guyana last Friday.

“We have not been able to determine how, where, or when that was taken, but they are photos of actual ballots,” he told reporters.

Persaud said while the photographs are authentic, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has not established their origin. He stressed, however, that the appearance of the images does not compromise the integrity of the electoral process.

“At the level of the Secretariat, we have operated at the highest and most optimal level to ensure compliance with statutory requirements, the policy decisions of the Commission and internal best practices, in line with the expectations of stakeholders,” Persaud said.

“We are giving our best to ensure that what we do can withstand scrutiny.”

The CEO reminded that GECOM had already moved to restrict the use of mobile phones in polling stations. The decision was aimed at deterring vote buying and preventing electors from photographing their ballots.

“It is considered illegal, and one can be prosecuted, fined, and even imprisoned if found guilty,” Persaud explained.

He said the restriction was tested during the Disciplined Forces balloting, and it worked effectively.

“We have not received expressions from stakeholders that it did not work,” Persaud added.

Still, the photographs now circulating suggest the rule was breached. Asked whether GECOM would investigate further, Persaud was cautious: “This is something I will undertake to interrogate to examine if we can go in that direction.”

On the issue of the position of the voting compartment, Persaud said the arrangement was developed in such a way that GECOM is not solely responsible for ensuring voters do not sneak phones into polling places, but that stakeholders also have a role.

He acknowledged hearing concerns that some compartments were not positioned in a way that allowed party agents to observe but stressed, “The operation of the polling station is for GECOM. Those rules are for GECOM.”

To provide clarity, Persaud said a pictorial example of how the voting compartment should be set up will be issued and can be followed as a guide.

The CEO also used the press conference to clear up reports that an elector had found their name on the online list of electors but not at their polling station. He explained that several polling places are often located at the same site and the voters’ lists are not singular.

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With just one week before Guyanese head to the polls, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is reporting a high, 83 per cent, turnout in the Disciplined Forces balloting, even as the Commission has flagged some issues with ballot sets in three districts, including District Four.

The turnout by service was as follows:

• Army: 2,575 of 3,100 eligible ranks voted

• Police: 5,727 of 6,909 eligible ranks voted

• Prison Service: 397 of 466 eligible officers voted

In 2020, Disciplined Forces polling saw an 81.8 per cent turnout.

Chief Elections Officer Vishnu Persaud, speaking at a press conference on Monday, said the voting exercise on August 22 for members of the police, army and prison services was conducted “in compliance with the laws” despite minor glitches early in the day. He emphasised that there were no reports to cast doubt on the credibility of the process.

However, Persaud disclosed that during the sorting process, officials identified discrepancies with the ballots for District Four, where two extra ballots were found in one set. He explained that one ballot was short in District Five and another was short in District Ten.

“Interrogation led to the point where we zoned in on what could have caused the problem,” Persaud said, noting that a formal memorandum is being prepared to submit to the seven-member Commission, along with recommendations on how to correct the issue. He declined to comment further until the Commission deliberates.

When asked why GECOM could not balance the ballots, the CEO clarified that it was not a case of missing votes.

“All ballots went out and all came back in,” he said.

Persaud explained that each ballot is issued in an envelope containing the elector’s particulars, along with a smaller envelope labelled with the district where it must be counted. Polling staff were instructed to insert their ballots into the inner, district-marked envelope, but many instead returned them in the outer envelope.

Chief Elections Officer of GECOM, Vishnu Persaud (Photo: News Room/August 25, 2025)

“We cannot send the outer envelope for intermixing as it compromises the secrecy of the ballot,” Persaud explained.

After reviewing the matter from every angle, he said the only logical conclusion is that ballots meant for Districts Five and Ten were mistakenly placed in the envelope for District Four, creating the imbalance.

On preparations for election day, Persaud confirmed that staffing at all levels—from Returning Officers to polling day staff—is in place, although he acknowledged challenges with persons declining appointments as presiding officers, prompting GECOM to find replacements.

The Commission’s logistics plan, he said, is unfolding as expected, with no major hiccups anticipated. GECOM has also put a chain of command in place to allow for swift responses to any emergencies, citing the quick action taken following the accident on the night of the disciplined services balloting as an example.

Persaud also outlined measures for the close of poll on election day, including the posting of Statements of Poll at every station and the secure transportation of ballot boxes and Statements of Poll, escorted by police and accompanied by GECOM staff.

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A new nursery school at No.8 village in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) was commissioned on Monday to serve some 41 children already enrolled.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand attended the brief opening ceremony and said this school is a promise fulfilled by the government to ensure that students of every age have access to learning opportunities.

A classroom at the school. (Photo: Ministry of Education)

“We want to develop rounded, wholesome children ready to take on primary education.

“In the last three and a half years, we have built 67 nursery schools across Guyana and that will go down for the remainder of time, the most nursery schools ever built in a three and a half year period,” Manickchand said.

Education Minister Priya Manickchand. (Photo: Ministry of Education)

Prior to this school, the children were housed at No. 8 Primary School, but this was not optimal for learning. There is also a No.8 Secondary School, and this addition provides a holistic education system for children in the area.

The learning area.

Manickchand said nursery school enrollment currently stands at 93 per cent. She added that the ministry observed that enrollment at far-reaching communities are increasing when schools are constructed in nearby communities.

The minister noted that schools are not merely constructed and handed over to communities; teachers are also being trained. For this nursery school, all five teachers have received training, she added.

“Our job, our duty and our dream is to make sure that no child goes any day without education unless it is absolutely necessary,” the minister said.

 

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