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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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Roston Chase, West Indies‘ new Test captain, believes that he can bring the best out of his players with his “calm style”.

Chase, 33, last played a Test match in March 2023 and had previously led West Indies in two white-ball internationals, but despite the lack of recent game-time in red-ball cricket and limited captaincy experience, he was picked as the Test captain.

Chase’s first assignment as Test captain is a three-match series against Australia at home, which begins in Bridgetown on June 25.

“I’ve never captained a senior team in terms of the West Indies team [in Tests] or Barbados team. But I’ve captained eight teams in the West Indies before,” Chase said during an interaction facilitated by FanCode, the official broadcaster for West Indies in India.

“I think I’m a good leader. Obviously, I’m not perfect. I’m still learning.”

“I did most of my captaining in my early days like school level and local divisions. I think I have a calm style [as captain]. I really know how to bring out the best in the players that I have.”

Chase will work with Daren Sammy, who has taken charge as West Indies all-format coach from April this year.

“The captaincy conversations that I had would have been with the coach, Daren Sammy, and Miles Bascombe from the board,” Chase said.

“I’ve been out for two years, but after Sammy approached me about coming back because I always wanted to come back and play Test cricket.

“I was exploring the white ball and the franchise cricket for a bit. And he asked me about coming back and I thought about it and I ended up making the decision to come back.”

Chase said he was “very excited” to take up the new role and that he was not ready to play Test cricket last year.

“I was very excited to get the captaincy. I mean, it is a very prestigious job,” he said. “One that many greats before me have done. So, it was a very proud moment for me when I got the news.

“I was asked in 2024 about coming back. But at that time, I was still finding my feet and trying to get into the franchise leagues. So, I wasn’t quite ready and had the time or the availability to come back into the Test arena. But after I had the conversation with Sammy and Bascombe, I decided that this was the right time for me to come back.”

Chase, who has scored 2,265 runs in 49 Tests with five hundreds, said that West Indies are ready for the Australia challenge.

“I wouldn’t call it [playing Australia] pressure,” he said. “They’re obviously the No.1 team in the world. We’re just looking to go there and play our best cricket, execute the plans that we spoke about in our team meetings and the data that has been presented to us.

“So, we’re just looking to go there and give a full 100 [percent] effort and play some hard cricket.” (ESPNcricinfo/Edited PTI copy)

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Abram Zuil Secondary, hailing from the county of Essequibo, stormed to victory in the inaugural National Windball Cricket Playoffs, held in memory of the late former President Janet Jagan.

The tournament was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and coordinated by the National Sports Commission (NSC).

In what was a significant expansion from previous editions, formerly limited to Regions Three and Four, this year’s national showdown welcomed participation from schools across all administrative regions, with the exception of Regions One, Eight and Nine.

The organisers cited logistical challenges for the exclusion of those regions, but assured stakeholders that efforts are already underway to ensure full participation in future editions.

At the tournament, which drew over 2,000 student-athletes, Abrams Zuil’s path to glory was paved with powerful hitting and disciplined bowling, with star performers Ravid Fredricks and Eron Benjamin leading the charge.

In a thrilling start to the knockout stage, Three Miles Secondary chased down Saint Rose’s High’s 59-2 with ease.

Narindra Isurdeen struck a resilient 35 for Roses, but Three Miles, powered by Christiano Ram’s 44 and Mario Ramjag’s 12, breezed to 63-2.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow Richardson and other officials with members of the Abram Zuil team

Abram Zuil then announced their intent with a dominant 145 without loss against JC Chandi Singh Secondary.

Fredricks blasted an unbeaten 84 decorated with 10 sixes, while Benjamin chipped in with 41 (six sixes).

In response, JC Chandi Singh managed 86-5, with Arif Marimotoo’s entertaining 64 (nine sixes) the lone resistance.

In a shock result, 11-time champions Covent Garden Secondary were knocked out by Parika Salem Secondary.

Despite posting 105-2, thanks to Venesh Kalpoo’s 46, and handy knocks from Terick Ramotar and Devindra Ram, Parika chased it down with 106-1.

Bharat Seepersaud struck 48, while Linsdyl Harris hammered seven sixes in his 46.

Camille’s Academy also impressed with a commanding 149-0 over Berbice High School.

Darwin Larose (70) and Yuvraj Bhagwandin (65) lit up the park, while Berbice’s 104-2 was not enough despite Gilbert Griffith’s unbeaten 47.

Abram Zuil marched into the final after demolishing Three Miles Secondary.

Fredricks smashed 69 (10 sixes) in their total of 129-1, before Benjamin wreaked havoc with the ball, taking 3-4 in a single over. Fredricks also contributed with 2-0, bundling Three Miles out for just 52-6.

In the other semi-final, Parika Salem defeated Camille’s Academy in another run-fest. Camille’s posted 98-1 with Bhagwandin scoring a brilliant unbeaten 50.

However, Parika Salem responded with 101 without loss, led by a scintillating 69 from Linsdyl Harris (eight sixes).

As a result, Camille’s Academy and Three Miles Secondary were declared joint third-place finishers.

In the much-anticipated final, Abram Zuil were sent in to bat and posted 96-4, with Eron Benjamin leading the way with a powerful 56 (eight sixes), supported by Fredricks’ 24.

Montey Miguel claimed 2-21 for Parika Salem, while Kevin Wong and R Persaud chipped in with a wicket each.

In response, Parika Salem’s chase faltered under pressure. Despite contributions from Harris (24), Wong (16), and Subraj Chaitram (15), they were restricted to 79-3.

Fredricks once again made his mark with the ball, taking a crucial 1-1 and was deservedly named Player of the Final.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, in his closing remarks, lauded the initiative, crediting the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport for their unwavering support.

“This year is historic. We have a national final, and it’s only going to get better,” Ninvalle noted.

“We’ve seen improvement, and we’ll be going back to the drawing board to make next year even more successful.”

Ninvalle also disclosed that that the National Sports Commission is likely to add a cash incentive next year.

He praised the players, organisers, and especially the staff of the NSC for executing a national programme of such magnitude.

Allister Munroe, the lead Sports Officer behind the event, expressed gratitude to all contributors, including the Ministry of Education, Guyana Police Force, parents, head teachers, officials of ASTP, and most importantly, the over 2,000 student-athletes who participated.

Final Placings

Champions: Abram Zuil Secondary

Runners-Up: Parika Salem Secondary

Joint Third: Camille’s Academy and Three Miles Secondary

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Former Vice Chairman of the Alliance for Change (AFC) and Member of Parliament Ricky Ramsaroop has suggested that the party cannot be expected to abide by Guyana’s Constitution if it is to be elected to office.

Ramsaroop, along with Sherod Duncan and Juretha Fernandes, broke ranks with the AFC last week in associating themselves with the Aubrey Norton-led A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to contest the September 1, 2025 general and regional elections.

Fernandes has already been named the Prime Ministerial candidate for APNU and the AFC moved to cancel their membership, saying that by aligning themselves with APNU, they voluntarily cut ties with the AFC.

But Ramsaroop and the others are claiming that it is only the National Executive Council (NEC) and not the leadership of the party that has the power to remove them.

AFC cancels membership of Fernandes, Duncan & Ramsaroop after defection; says latest coalition proposal was rejected by APNU

Article 5(7) of the AFC’s Constitution states that “The National Executive may expel from the Party any person who while being a member, retains or accepts membership in another political party or movement, provided that in every case any such person shall be given one month within which to resign either from the AFC Party or from the other party or movement.”

It is this aspect of the constitution by which Ramsaroop and the others say they are still members of the AFC and the decision to expel them reflects the way the AFC leadership has treated them.

“If they can breach their own constitution, what will they do with Guyana Constitution?” Ramsaroop questioned in the comment section of an online news report on the decision by the AFC to expel them from the party.

The three were among several young people in the AFC who had to make way for the return of an older cohort led by Nigel Hughes who had resigned from the party twice in the past.

Duncan, in particular, lost the top leadership position to Hughes under questionable circumstances at the last AFC Congress, which included Hughes’ nomination from a group party members believed was defunct.

On Sunday, Hughes admitted on televised show ‘Caribbean Tea’ that the AFC does not wield the same level of political support it did in 2015 when it was first elected to government through a coalition with the APNU.

“No, the AFC is not of the same strength it was in 2015,” he said, in response to a question posed by a journalist.

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The Berbice zone of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast is set to ignite with 16 teams vying for supremacy on June 28th and 29th.

Finalists from the 2024 edition, Montra Jaguars, will be looking to go one step further this year, but will face stiff competition from fellow returnees Cotton Tree Die Hard and Mahaica Hawks, among other talent-filled teams from Berbice, before they can reach the national finals.

Other teams in the Berbice zone are Champ XI, Crabwood Creek, Bath Sports Club, Corriverton Spartans, Line Path Select XI, Ethan XI, D’Edward Sports Club, New Amsterdam XI, Tucber Park, and Name Brand Titans, who played in the 2023 edition of the tournament.

Saturday’s action will be split across two venues: the #48 Ground and the Rose Hall/Canje Ground (Welfare Ground).

The intensity then shifts to the Albion Sports Complex on Sunday, where the zone’s champion will be crowned under lights.

Play is scheduled to commence at 9:30 AM local time each day, and entry for all spectators is free.

Tournament Co-Director, John Ramsingh, is enthusiastic about the Berbice leg, stating, “Berbice marks the beginning of our expansion, and we are eager to witness the talent within this county.

We anticipate high-octane cricket and encourage fans to rally behind their local teams. Ultimately, both the teams and their supporters will emerge as winners.”

The stakes are high, with the Berbice zone winner securing a coveted spot in the national finals slated for Sunday, August 3rd at the National Stadium in Providence, commencing at 2:00 PM.

Beyond the national final berth, the Berbice zone champion will also pocket a significant $300,000 prize, along with a specially crafted trophy, and will have the opportunity to compete for an additional $1.7 million at the National Stadium.

The runner-up in the zone final will receive $100,000.

Cricket enthusiasts in Berbice are in for a thrilling weekend of tapeball action as the road to the national finals begins.

The national finals will offer even greater rewards, with the runner-up taking home $700,000, a trophy, and medals, while the losing semi-finalists will each receive $300,000.

Individual brilliance will also be recognized throughout the tournament, with prizes including: 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 a wide range of sponsors, including 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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The Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) held its Annual Awards and Dinner on Saturday evening, spotlighting both the industry’s strides and a commitment to raising standards at all facilities.

In her address, THAG President Dee George reflected on Adriana Younge’s death at the Double Day Hotel in Tuschen, Region Three.

She said that tragic incident should not have happened and now, stakeholders must work assiduously to prevent any recurrences.

According to George, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) began work on regularising tourism standards before the recent tragedy.

THAG President Dee George

As part of these efforts, a decision was made to identify and license all unregistered hospitality properties across the country.

That work will continue and George said THAG will be a key stakeholder in these efforts.

“We are going to make sure it is done, one property at a time. So never again we as a nation will have to go through losing a child or any citizen,” George said.

George further related THAG’s continued advocacy on behalf of its members and the industry. Acknowledging a growing labour shortage, she stressed the importance of introducing young people to careers in tourism.

“There is a shortage of labour in our industry, outside of meeting with the minister of labour, we thought it is important that we include and indoctrinate our little ones to understand that tourism is a choice,” George revealed.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

George said THAG has launched initiatives in secondary schools to encourage students to consider tourism as a career path and gain hands-on experience through hotel internships.

Another key area of focus has been the strengthening of the local supply chain. Last year, THAG, in partnership with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), hosted a ‘speed dating’ networking event that brought together hotel and restaurant owners and farmers. The initiative aimed to help these businesses better understand local production capabilities and work together to meet supply demands.

Looking ahead, George said THAG is eager to “restore Georgetown to its former glory.”

And so, she called for cooperation among government bodies, the private sector and the general public.

THAG also pledged to advocate for duty-free concessions for tour operators, noting that with Guyana’s rapid growth, tourism is also poised to expand.

Additionally, George further advocated for inclusivity and sustainability in the sector, encouraging openness to LGBTQ+ tourists and support for community-based tourism.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips delivered the keynote address, underscoring the government’s commitment to developing diverse tourism offerings. He highlighted nature-based, adventure, heritage, sports, festivals, and family-oriented tourism as key pillars of the national strategy.

“Over the past five years, we have begun to reap the dividends of the investment and time we put into developing our tourism sector,” the Prime Minister said.

Over the past five years, Guyana has seen an increase in air connectivity with major airlines such as British Airways, JetBlue, Avianca, United Airlines, Sky High Dominicana, LIAT 2020, Fly Allways, InterCaribbean, and KLM.

By the end of 2025, Guyana expects to add over 600 new hotel rooms, with major developments from brands such as Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, King’s Hotel, and the recently completed Aiden by Best Western and Pegasus Suites.

The Prime Minister said over 65 new tourism experiences were also added, including culinary tours, hikes, ATV adventures, and kayaking.

Training and capacity building have been a central focus, with over 8,000 individuals trained in the tourism and hospitality sector between 2020 and 2025. During the same period, Guyana earned 11 international awards, marking a period of global recognition and industry transformation.

“Nearly 22,000 people are now employed directly and indirectly in the sector across the country,” the Prime Minister said.

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Samuel Sandy, a People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) leader, has heaped criticisms on the current leadership of the party, contending that there is more disunity now than ever before, and suggested that this may be why there is an exodus of members.

Sandy has been with the PNC for two decades but has now thrown his support behind the incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C). He explained that his decision was guided by several factors but ultimately rooted in what he felt were enduring challenges the party was facing.

He was hesitant to pin the challenges the party is facing solely on its current leader, Aubrey Norton, but acknowledged that the collapse sped up after Norton assumed the leadership position after the 2020 elections. He pointed out disappointing this was disappointing to him since the thrust of his (Mr. Norton’s) campaign was uniting the party.

“Under his leadership, we’ve seen more factions than under any other leader,” Sandy said while a guest on the Starting Point podcast.

Beyond this, Sandy detailed his other concerns.

“It’s more than a crisis of leadership.

“… I cannot see any kind of decision that I can label as progressive,” Sandy said.

One bone of contention, Sandy revealed, was that there have been several instances where party members such as himself and Amanza Walton-Desir were sidelined, though heavily involved in party work. Amanza, like Samuel, recently walked away from the PNCR but she has formed her own political party now.

Walton-Desir breaks down over being sidelined by PNC/R; launches new political party

Sandy also suggested that the PNCR, at least in local government bodies, was intentionally uncooperative with representatives of other political parties, therefore failing to adequately represent people.

During the Starting Point podcast, Sandy also admitted that he knew the PNC-led APNU+AFC coalition lost the 2020 elections, though leaders of the parties have refused to accept this. He said he possessed tallies, drawn from Statements of Poll, which showed the coalition lost the elections but was hesitant to speak out before now.

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