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The bell will ring once again for Guyana’s next generation of ring warriors as the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) stages its 2025 National Novice Championship from July 25-27 at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

The three-night tournament, seen as the launch pad for future champions, will not only feature emerging talent from across the country, but also mark the much-anticipated return of the Republican Boxing Gym, now under the stewardship of seasoned coach Wincell Thomas.

The Republican Gym’s re-entry into the national fold adds an exciting dynamic to an already competitive field, as they look to re-establish their dominance among Guyana’s storied boxing clubs.

Held in the honour of the late World Champion, Andrew ‘Six-Head’ Lewis, the tournament, often referred to as the GBA’s talent cradle, serves as the first official stepping stone for young fighters transitioning into the amateur ranks.

The event also plays a pivotal role in identifying and grooming athletes for the national programme.

GBA President Steve Ninvalle

GBA President Steve Ninvalle underscored the championship’s significance, adding that, “The Novice Championship remains one of the most important events on the GBA calendar. It is here that we discover the raw talent that goes on to represent Guyana on the international stage. Without this tournament, our talent pipeline would be severely compromised.”

Last year’s edition saw the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Boxing Gym reaffirm their dominance, walking away with the Best Overall Team title.

The spotlight also shone brightly on Jagwan Milo, who was named Best Novice Boxer, while Ryan Rogers of the Forgotten Youth Foundation Gym took home the Best Schoolboy Boxer award.

The Best Female Boxer accolade was awarded to Kenisha Plass, a rising star in the women’s division.

This year’s tournament is expected to draw boxers from across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, promising three action-packed nights, all in the name of boxing development.

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Coretta McDonald was elected president of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU) following the Union’s Triennial Elections 2025 held on Monday.

The Union in a statement on Tuesday made the announcement, noting that the ballot counting exercise concluded on Monday evening at the GTU Headquarters located at Woolford Avenue, Georgetown.

The new elected body is as follows:

President: Ms Coretta McDonald unposed

1st Vice President: Ms. Mariska Williams

2nd Vice President: Mr. Karl Vanier

General Secretary: Mr. Collis Nicholson

Deputy General Secretary: Mr. Heathcliff Peters

Treasurer: Ms. Rarlene Phillips

Regional Vice President-Berbice: Ms. Mehalai McAlmont

Regional Vice President-Demerara: Mr. Randy Mingo

Regional Vice President-Essequibo: Mr. Thakurdeen Durga

 

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Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan has said “strong” security measures have been implemented to ensure that migrants from Venezuela who are intercepted entering Guyana are screened and documented.

“This is disheartening but while Guyana is approaching this with compassion, we are committed to safe borders, in the protection of our borders.

“So we have implemented strong security measures on vetting, processing, documenting, all Venezuelan migrants,” Brigadier Khan said.

Chief of Defence Staff, Omar Khan

He made this disclosure while addressing the issue during the first episode of a new programme “Safeguarding the Nation” which was broadcast on Facebook on Tuesday.

In recent years, thousands of migrants from Venezuela have come to Guyana in search of better lives.

The Venezuelans, Brigadier Khan said are fleeing because of the political and socio-economic conditions in Venezuela.

“In the execution of my duties and my visits to the border communities, I have personally witnessed Venezuelan migrants and the embarrassment, shame, the almost loss of dignity of families, women, children, babies, fathers, seeking refuge in a foreign land,” Brigadier Khan said.

The processing of the migrants is done through a multi-agency approach which is supported by the Guyana Defence Force.

“This humanitarian gesture is not uncommon for the GDF.

“The GDF has been involved as part of its role to conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations,” Brigadier Khan said.

In fact, he said the army has participated in over 200 such projects providing humanitarian support to local and even regional partners.

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One lucky spectator attending the grand finale of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast is set to win a brand new motorcycle, courtesy of Banks DIH, through their GT Beer brand.

The final is scheduled for Sunday, August 3, at the National Stadium, Providence, following the preliminary rounds.

The tournament action commences in Berbice on June 28, with matches at the #48 Ground and the Rose Hall/Canje Ground (Welfare Ground) on Saturday.

The Berbice zone final will then be held under lights at the Albion Sports Complex on Sunday, with play commencing at 9:30 AM local time on both days.

Spectator entry is free across all venues.

The tournament will subsequently move to other zones: East Bank and West Demerara (July 5-6), Georgetown/East Coast (July 19-20), and Essequibo (July 26-27), culminating in the national finals.

GT Beer’s Brand Manager, Dwain Bristol, announced the exciting giveaway and other fan engagement initiatives at Thirst Park on Tuesday.

Cricket fans will have multiple opportunities to win, with chances to enter a draw for the motorcycle with every purchase of a GT Beer or GT Beer Lights bucket.

Additional prizes will be awarded for catches and other activities during the matches, aiming to enhance the overall fan experience.

Beyond the motorcycle, substantial cash prizes are up for grabs. The Berbice zone champion will pocket $300,000 and a trophy, with an opportunity to compete for a further $1.7 million in the national finals.

The Berbice runner-up will receive $100,000.

The national finals promise even bigger rewards, with the runner-up taking home $700,000, a trophy, and medals. Each losing semi-finalist will also receive $300,000.

Individual performances will be recognized throughout the tournament with attractive prizes: MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Economy ($35,000).

The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from: Kares Engineering Inc, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, ENet, Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.

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(Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump said that a “complete and total” ceasefire between Israel and Iran will go into force with a view to ending the 12-day conflict between the two nations, moments after both sides threatened new attacks.

While an Iranian official confirmed that Tehran had agreed to a ceasefire, there was no immediate comment yet from Israel.

A senior White House official said Israel had agreed so long as Iran does not launch further attacks and that Trump brokered the deal in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Trump appeared to suggest that Israel and Iran would have some time to complete any missions that are underway, at which point the ceasefire would begin in a staged process.

“On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, ‘THE 12 DAY WAR’,” he wrote on his Truth Social site.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani secured Tehran’s agreement during a call with Iranian officials, an official briefed on the negotiations told Reuters on Tuesday.

Trump told Qatar’s emir that Israel had agreed to the ceasefire, according to the official.

Neither Iran’s U.N. mission nor the Israeli embassy in Washington immediately responded to separate requests for comment from Reuters.

Hours earlier, three Israeli officials had signaled Israel was looking to wrap up its campaign in Iran soon and had passed the message on to the United States.

Netanyahu had told government ministers whose discussions ended early on Tuesday not to speak publicly, Israel’s Channel 12 television reported.

S&P 500 futures rose 0.4% late on Monday, suggesting traders expect the U.S. stock market to open with gains on Tuesday.

U.S. crude futures fell in early Asian trading hours on Tuesday to their lowest level in more than a week after Trump said a ceasefire had been agreed, relieving worries of supply disruption in the region.

END TO THE FIGHTING?

There did not appear to be calm yet in the region.

The Israeli military issued two evacuation warnings in less than two hours to residents of areas in the Iranian capital Tehran, one late on Monday and one early on Tuesday.

Israeli Army radio reported early on Tuesday that alarms were activated in the southern Golan Heights area due to fears of hostile aircraft intrusion.

Earlier on Monday, Trump said he would encourage Israel to proceed towards peace after dismissing Iran’s attack on an American air base that caused no injuries and thanking Tehran for the early notice of the strikes.

Iran’s attack came after U.S. bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker-busters on Iranian underground nuclear facilities at the weekend, joining Israel’s air war against Iran in a conflict that has entered its 12th day.

Much of Tehran’s population of 10 million has fled after days of bombing.
The Trump administration maintains that its aim was solely to destroy Iran’s nuclear programme, not to open a wider war.

But in a social media post on Sunday, Trump spoke of toppling the hardline clerical rulers who have been Washington’s principal foes in the Middle East since Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israel, however, had made clear that its strikes on Evin prison – a notorious jail for housing political prisoners – and other targets in Tehran were intended to hit the Iranian ruling apparatus broadly, and its ability to sustain power.

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The Guyana Police Force issued a wanted bulletin for Rakameen Benowen Nicholas, the security guard who allegedly robbed the Fantasy Gaming Lounge at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, of $13.1 million.

The bulletin was issued on Monday afternoon, shortly after Police Headquarters shared the details of the robbery.

It was noted that Nicholas, 24, of Castle Security, robbed the premises he was guarding early Sunday morning. He held two workers at gunpoint and then carted off with the cash.

His last known address is 200 West Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Police went to his house but did not locate him nor the cash taken.

Security guard robs gaming lounge he was protecting 

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See below the full release from the Guyana Elections Commission: 

The ten (10) Returning Officers and ten (10) Supernumerary Returning  Officers approved by the Commission for the upcoming General and Regional Elections were administered their Oaths of Office by GECOM’s Chairperson, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, at a simple ceremony held  in the Boardroom of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Monday, 23rd June, 2025. 

The oath-taking ceremony marks a key step in preparations for the conduct of the elections since the Returning Officers will be responsible for overseeing the electoral process in their respective districts, while the Supernumerary Returning Officers will have responsibility for the respective sub-districts in districts 3, 4,  & 6 as provided for in the Representation of the People Act. 

Some of the officers worn in during a simple ceremony (Photo: GECOM/ June 23, 2025)

Political parties and electors can now visit the offices established in their respective districts to obtain  pertinent information in relation to the electoral process and key statutory timelines. A schedule of the names  of all the appointed Returning Officers and Supernumerary Returning Officers along with the addresses for  their respective offices can be accessed on GECOM’s website at www.gecom.org.gy. 

GECOM reaffirms its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and integrity in all aspects of the electoral  process. 

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A 24-year-old security guard robbed the Fantasy Gaming Lounge at the Giftland Mall, Turkeyen, of $13.1 million early Sunday morning.

The suspect has not yet been arrested, but Police Headquarters said he is employed with Castle Security and was responsible for protecting the premises at the time of the robbery.

Preliminary investigation revealed that at about 05:30 hrs Sunday, the 21-year-old supervisor at Fantasy Game Lounge, Raywat Sankar, exited the cashier area to assist the 27-year-old female floor supervisor in cleaning the gaming area since no customer was there at the time.

The suspect, who was armed with a 9mm pistol, approached both Sankar and the floor supervisor, took out the firearm, pointed it in their direction, and then discharged a round in the air, demanding that Sankar open the electronic door to the cashier area.

Sankar complied, and the suspect then ordered him and the female supervisor into the cashier’s room. Sankar was then instructed to open the vault and place all the cash into a garbage basket. The 24-year-old suspect then walked out of the building with the cash.

CCTV cameras at the Giftland mall captured the suspect walking out of the Giftland access road, then turning west on the Railway Embankment, and stopping a motorcar (PZZ 5690), which drove away in a western direction.

Detectives who processed the scene recovered one 9mm spent shell.

Ranks went to the security guard’s house but no cash was found and he was not around. Efforts are also being made to locate the car involved. Further investigations are ongoing.

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To address the long standing issue of overcrowded classrooms and provide a more comfortable space for students, a new Christianburg Multilateral school will be constructed in Region 10.

The school will replace the existing Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School. It is being built at a cost of about $2.6 billion and should be completed in about 17 months.

On Monday, Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand turned the sod for construction to begin on the school.

The project is funded by the World Bank and will be executed by PowerChina Jiangxi Electric Power Construction Company Limited.

Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Education Minister, Priya Manickchand turned the sod for construction to begin on the school.

While delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Phillips said the new school will serve as a full education establishment, designed to prepare students for the future.

“This school will also speak to where we are going as a country.

“The true measure of our development is how well we prepare our people to lead and innovate,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Phillips told teachers of the school “your job has never been easy and it will never be easy.”

Nevertheless, he urged them to continue to teach well, create space for curiosity and above all else, protect the trust students place in them.

A section of the gathering at the sod turning ceremony

“We are investing in you without any condition. This is pure development in the development of Guyana and more particularly in the development of the people of Linden through this secondary school that will be constructed here,” the Prime Minister said.

Upon completion, the new Christianburg Multilateral School will accommodate 1,000 children. It will comprise of 35 classrooms, a multipurpose and agriculture hall, laboratories, an administrative block among other amenities.

The establishment of the school aligns with the government’s aim of achieving universal secondary education.

In fact, Manickchand highlighted that by the end of 2025, 22 secondary schools will be operational across the country and will serve both coastal and hinterland children.

“It’s not only about access for us. For us, we want to make sure once you get into those schools, that you have a higher quality.

The school, Manickchand said is the only in the country that doing a CAPE animated design.

World Bank Representative, Diletta Doretti, in her remarks outlined that now more than ever investing in education and the country’s people is vital in light of the current economic transformation in Guyana.

“This a catalyst for creating equity and job creation.

“…Investing is people is core of what the World Bank does and what Guyana is doing right now. Because investing in people is the most important investment a country can make,” Doretti said.

Construction of the new Christianburg Multilateral School will begin immediately.

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President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Wayne Forde and newly-appointed General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay are attending the prestigious FIFA Executive Summits in Miami.

The GFF made the announcement via a social media post on Monday afternoon.

“The Summit brings together global football leaders to discuss key strategic priorities, including infrastructure development, women’s football, youth programmes, and governance matters,” the GFF wrote.

“During the event, President Forde took the opportunity to introduce Mr. Chattopadhyay to our esteemed colleagues at FIFA, Concacaf and the CFU, fostering important relationships that will help drive the growth and development of football in our region.”

The post continued: “We are proud to see our leadership actively engaged on the international stage, working tirelessly to enhance our sport and bring new opportunities to our players and fans. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to build a brighter future for football!”

Chattopadhyay’s appointment

Chattopadhyay’s appointment to the post was the outcome of a comprehensive international recruitment process jointly conducted by the GFF and FIFA, the GFF said last week.

The position attracted applications from over 40 candidates representing five of the six FIFA confederations.

In announcing the appointment, the GFF outlined: “Through a structured, multi-phase evaluation, including interviews, technical assessments, and detailed background checks, a shortlist of six top candidates was established.

Chattopadhyay was selected based on his outstanding credentials and clear alignment with the GFF’s strategic direction.”

Chattopadhyay will arrive in Guyana on August 1, 2025 to commence his duties.

About the new General Secretary

Chattopadhyay brings with him more than 15 years of experience in football administration, capacity building and strategic leadership within some of the most dynamic football environments in Asia.

As a distinguished football executive and senior sports consultant, Chattopadhyay previously served in various leadership capacities at the All India Football Federation (AIFF), including as Head of State Development, Head of Clubs and Licensing, and Head of Administration within the Technical Department.

During his tenure, he led the implementation of national development programmes under the FIFA Forward initiative, coordinated high level licensing and regulatory activities, and played an instrumental role in grassroots development and capacity-building initiatives across 36 member associations in India.

Most recently, Chattopadhyay held the post of Chief Executive Officer of the Indian Football Association (West Bengal), where he spearheaded an organisational transformation and developed new intellectual properties to strengthen the Association’s financial and operational footing.

He also served as a Senior Project Consultant in the Sports Advisory division of Ernst & Young LLP, leading key projects focused on sports development and institutional reform.

Chattopadhyay holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Vancouver Island University in Canada and a Master of Science (MSc) in International Business from the University of Hertfordshire.

He speaks English, Hindi and Bengali fluently.

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