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Cricket West Indies (CWI) has announced strategic adjustments to its One-Day International squad for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England.

These adjustments were necessitated by the availability of players currently involved in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

John Campbell and Jediah Blades have been called into the squad, while Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd will remain in India to fulfil their IPL commitments.

Shamar Joseph retains his place in the touring party. John Campbell is set to feature in the Ireland leg of the tour, replacing Sherfane Rutherford.

Shimron Hetmyer, unavailable for the matches against Ireland, is expected to join the squad for the subsequent series against England.

Promising left-arm seamer Jediah Blades comes into the squad as a replacement for Romario Shepherd.

The changes come as CWI closely monitors the situation in India, where the IPL is set to resume on May 17 following a temporary suspension. Regional tensions between India and Pakistan had raised safety concerns for players.

Romario Shepherd

In a statement, CWI emphasized that the “safety and well-being of our players remain our top priority.”

They added, “We are committed to ensuring they feel supported and informed throughout this period.”

CWI is collaborating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the respective IPL franchises to ensure that “all necessary measures are taken to guarantee the safety, comfort, and peace of mind of our players.”

The regional body expressed confidence in the BCCI’s ability to provide a secure environment for the remainder of the IPL tournament.

Acknowledging players’ individual contractual arrangements, CWI stated they “fully support those players who choose to remain in India to complete the tournament.”

Sherfane Rutherford

While acknowledging the current circumstances as “exceptional and unforeseen,” CWI remains confident in the depth of its talent pool. It reiterated its commitment to “fielding a strong, competitive squad to represent the West Indies with pride” in the upcoming ODI series against Ireland and England, scheduled from May 21 to June 3.

Romario Shepherd and Sherfane Rutherford are both part of IPL franchises eyeing playoff spots.

The knockout stage potentially clashes with the West Indies ODI fixtures.

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Mayor of Georgetown, Alfred Mentore has said a list of the top 50 debtors will be revealed soon and the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) is preparing to utilise the Courts to ensure persons pay what is owed. During an interview with the News Room on Thursday, Mentore said the outstanding monies owed by debtors are part of the reason that projects are not being done.

He said the Council, based on advice from its lawyers, has issued demands to debtors but it is prepared to pursue legal action through the courts. He noted that the amounts owed are from years of outstanding debt and from January 2025 to present, the demands were sent to persons.

“Even if they didn’t get it, what we will also do or address is ensure those that we will move against we will ensure that they get their demands.

“We will find ways, with our attorney to address those matters and as they address them, we will get our monies and be able to finance our operations,” Mentore said.

The Council believes this might be a deliberate act by persons to avoid paying their property taxes. They have reportedly exhausted measures to get the outstanding monies and this year, there was a decision to take a different approach.

Mentore said with few solutions available, the decision to identify a total of 50 of the highest debtors, then another set of the second highest and so on, was established and will soon pursue legal action through the courts utilising provisions for the collection of outstanding property tax and petty debt.

“We would be applying the measure of under 221 [of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana] that speaks of restraint warrant and petty debt action, which we will take to the Magistrate Court to find ways [on] how you can bring closure to these issues, find ways to get those people to pay, find ways to find a solution, find ways of how we can have a payment plan,” he said.

Section 221 of the Municipal and District Councils Act, Chapter 28:01 of the Laws of Guyana states the procedures for the recovery of unpaid property tax and allows for the Clerk of the Council to make application to the magisterial district for a warrant to be issued.

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The Dubai Capitals, fresh off their maiden International League T20 (ILT20) triumph, have officially thrown their hat into the ring for the 2025 ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL).

The annual T20 spectacle is set to electrify the Guyana National Stadium in Providence with 11 high-octane matches scheduled from July 10 to 18.

The Capitals will arrive in Guyana with the pedigree of reigning ILT20 champions.

Their ascent to the top of the UAE-based league culminated in a dominant victory over the Desert Vipers in the 2025 final, building on a strong runner-up finish in 2024.

Owned by GMR Sports, the sports vertical of the GMR Group, the Dubai Capitals are part of a significant international sports and infrastructure entity with a growing presence in the global cricketing landscape, including ventures in India, the UAE, the USA, and the UK.

Their participation in the GSL underscores GMR Sports’ commitment to expanding the reach of franchise cricket worldwide.

The inclusion of the Dubai Capitals is expected to significantly enhance the competitive balance and profile of the GSL, which is quickly becoming a marquee event on the global T20 calendar. They join a diverse lineup of international franchises set to compete in Guyana.

Sir Clive Lloyd, Chairman of the ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League, expressed his enthusiasm for the Capitals’ participation.

“We look forward to welcoming the Dubai Capitals to Guyana for this year’s GSL,” Sir Clive Lloyd said.

“Their reputation as ILT20 champions speaks volumes, and their inclusion will undoubtedly enhance the quality and spectacle of the cricket on offer. We are confident that the team and their supporters will enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and hospitality that only Guyana can offer.”

Satyam Trivedi, CEO of GMR Sports, highlighted the significance of the Capitals competing on the GSL stage.

“We are thrilled to see Dubai Capitals competing on yet another prestigious international stage,” Trivedi stated. “GMR Sports’ journey in franchise cricket has always been about nurturing talent and building bridges across cultures through the power of sport.

The Guyana Global Super League represents a fantastic opportunity to showcase top-tier cricket and foster global connections, and we’re extremely proud to be part of it.”

The 2025 GSL is shaping up to be a dynamic showcase of elite cricketing talent and a celebration of cross-cultural sporting connections, with international franchises, world-class players, and passionate fans converging on Guyana.

The confirmed teams for the 2025 GSL include the Central Stags from New Zealand, the host nation’s own Guyana Amazon Warriors, the Hobart Hurricanes from Australia, the Rangpur Riders from Bangladesh, and the Dubai Capitals.

All matches will be played at the Guyana National Stadium in Providence.

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Several months after 15-year-old Destiny Solomon of Kaneville, East Bank Demerara, was run over by a truck along the East Bank Public Road, she is recovering.

The teen underwent five surgeries since the accident which occurred on November 6, 2024. She is now undergoing physiotherapy at the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre but she was advised not to get children in her adult life due to her broken pelvis.

According to the police report, at about 09:20 hrs motor lorry #GXX 1162, driven by a 42-year-old man was proceeding south along the eastern driving lane on the public road at Grove, East Bank Demerara, in a line of vehicular traffic.

Destiny Solomon recieved a laptop from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection to assist her with her studies

It stopped at the Jimbo Bridge junction but then proceeded to drive as the traffic flowed, it was in the process of doing so, that Destiny started to cross the road and the left side of the lorry collided with her, and as a result of the collision, the pedestrian ended up underneath the lorry, where she received injuries.

She was transported to the Diamond Diagnostic Hospital and then transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where the surgeries were performed. Her kidney and pelvis were injured as well as her right-side leg.

During an interview with the News Room on Wednesday, Destiny said it was difficult for her to cope following the accident because of the medical procedures and inability to walk.

“Honestly when the accident occurred, I was actually heading to town to drop something for my brother. Honestly I been crying a lot,” Destiny recalled.

Beverly Boston

Her grandmother, Beverly Boston told the News Room that the driver was not charged for the accident based on advice from the Directors of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Their household includes extended family members, and each of them has tried to support the teen. She is enrolled at Diamond Primary School, where she is in the Primary Top classroom and currently attends classes virtually. The Ministry of Human Service and Social Protection also gifted her a laptop.

Boston said the family also contributes to her physiotherapy sessions but they had to reduce the number of days to once per week as it is too costly.

“We had to drop her out of therapy because of the finance,” Boston said when asked about the sessions.

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The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has confirmed that its troops came under attack during riverine patrol operations along the Cuyuni River within the last 24 hours. The incidents, which occurred between the Eteringbang and Makapa areas, involved armed individuals in civilian attire firing from the Venezuelan side of the river.

According to a statement issued by Defence Headquarters at Base Camp Ayanganna, the GDF was subjected to three separate assaults while conducting routine border patrols. In each instance, the troops responded with what was described as a “measured” reaction, ensuring that no GDF personnel sustained injuries.

The Defence Force reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the protection of Guyana’s territorial sovereignty and the safety of its citizens. In the wake of the attacks, the GDF pledged to maintain regular patrols along the Cuyuni River and to continue taking all necessary steps to deter further acts of aggression.

“The Force remains resolute in its mission to protect Guyana’s territorial integrity,” the statement read. “The public is assured that the Guyana Defence Force is taking all necessary measures to safeguard the nation’s borders and maintain peace and security within our beloved country.”

Tensions along the Guyana-Venezuela border have been a point of concern in recent years, with periodic escalations raising alarms in the region.

For further updates, the public is encouraged to follow official GDF communication channels via www.gdf.mil.gy or contact Defence Headquarters directly.

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Guyana’s Raekwon Noel has secured a gold medal in the men’s 100m butterfly at the ongoing Pan American Aquatic Championships in Medellín, Colombia.

Competing in the 19-22 age category, Noel delivered a strong performance, touching the wall in a time of 54.00 seconds.

This swim earned him the gold medal and established a new national record for Guyana in the event.

His time of 54.00 seconds significantly lowered his previous national record of 56.35 seconds, which was set in February 2023 at the National Aquatic Centre.

Noel finished ahead of Manuel Diaz of Venezuela and Andrés Brooks of Puerto Rico, who took silver and bronze, respectively.

Noel is scheduled to compete in other events at the championships, including the 200m butterfly, 100m backstroke, and 400m freestyle.

In other Guyana results, Shareefah Lewis competed in the girls’ 16-18 50m backstroke, finishing in eighth place with a time of 33.47 seconds in the final.

This was an improvement on her heat time of 34.12 seconds.

Lewis is also entered in the 50m butterfly and freestyle events.

The Guyanese delegation in Colombia also includes Mary Chung as travelling coach and Abigail Giddings as congress representative.

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A contingent of four promising young Guyanese boxers, flanked by two experienced coaches, is set to represent the nation at the upcoming Americas Boxing Confederation (AMBC) Elite Championships.

The tournament is scheduled in Ecuador from May 18th to 23rd.

Leading the charge is the highly regarded female fighter Abiola Jackman. The 22-year-old will compete in the Women’s 81kg division and is looking to impact the continental stage significantly.

She is joined by 17-year-old Ken Harvey, a technically adept and courageous competitor who will enter the ring in the 60kg Youth Division.

Harvey has impressed domestically with dominant displays and has already proven his mettle against regional opposition. His focus now shifts to testing his skills at the elite level, aiming to translate his recent form into a medal-winning performance.

The Guyanese team also features two other 17-year-olds: Joseph Jackson, who is competing in the Youth 75kg class, and Simeon Haymer, who will contest the Youth 67kg category. Both young boxers undergo rigorous training and are eager to leave their mark in Ecuador.

Coaches Lennox Daniels and Jeff Roberts will guide the quartet. Their extensive experience and mentorship are expected to prepare the team for the demanding competition.

President of the Guyana Boxing Association, Steve Ninvalle

Steve Ninvalle, President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), highlighted the significance of this deployment. “This is a young team, and their participation reflects our broader vision to expose Guyana’s best young boxing talents beyond the Caribbean,” Ninvalle stated.

He emphasised that the selected boxers have shown unwavering dedication to the GBA’s development programme and have demonstrated their readiness for elite competition. “It’s essential that our top young athletes are given the opportunity to face world-class opponents from an early stage in their careers. That’s how we shape their future and elevate the standard of boxing in Guyana,” Ninvalle explained.

“One of the pillars of the GBA’s mission is to ensure that our athletes receive the exposure and experience they need to grow. And that kind of development can only happen when they compete at the highest levels,” he added.

Ninvalle also singled out Abiola Jackman, describing the world-rated boxer as a beacon of hope for women’s boxing in Guyana and a symbol of the country’s potential on the global stage.

“We’re especially looking forward to seeing Jackman test herself against the best in the AMBC. This Caribbean champion has the potential to be a trailblazer for female boxing in Guyana, and this tournament could be a major stepping stone in her career,” Ninvalle concluded.

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Guyana’s senior women’s cricket team received a hero’s welcome after clinching their first-ever senior regional title, the Cricket West Indies Women’s T20 Blaze.

The Guyanese squad returned home to a festive reception at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, where they were greeted by Steve Ninvalle, Director of Sport, among others.

Ninvalle hailed the team’s “historic success,” expressing the government’s immense pride in their achievement.

He highlighted the team’s resilience and “Guyanese grit” in overcoming challenges to secure the trophy.

“You have made a nation proud, and you would have exhibited true Guyanese grit,” Ninvalle said.

“You know Guyanese are a very resilient people; you went down to Jamaica and bounced back up.”

The Director of Sport also drew a favourable comparison to the men’s team, who won the regional Four-Day Championship earlier this year.

“We were here earlier this year because the male team would’ve won the Four-Day championship.

You ladies have shown that anything the men do, you can do, and even better,” he added, referencing the team’s dance celebrations in a light-hearted moment.

Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle

Guyana secured their maiden title in dramatic fashion on Sunday evening in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, defeating the 2024 champions, Jamaica, in a thrilling final that went to a Super Over.

Both teams finished their 20 overs tied on 122 for 5.

Leg-spinner Nyia Latchman, the joint highest wicket-taker in the tournament, proved the hero in the one-over eliminator, successfully defending eight runs to seal a memorable victory for Guyana.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Latchman expressed their ambition for future success: “We have more tournaments to win, and I’d just like to say, ‘Thank you’.”

President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Bissoondyal Singh, also congratulated the team’s performance as “nothing short of extraordinary.”

“Your return to Guyana as champions is a moment we have been eagerly awaiting,” Singh stated.

“You went abroad not just as competitors, but as ambassadors of Guyana’s spirit, determination, and cricketing excellence, and you have returned home as heroes.”

He underscored the win’s significance, noting it was the first time Guyana had lifted the CWI T20 Blaze Trophy.

PHOTOS: https://www.facebook.com/newsroomgy/posts/pfbid037gvp2iMKx9zxEvAwwvM5R25D6X7KbFDY3jtS2VYskZDzuv8p7MHrmrjCMEK7z2nHl

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The next edition of the ILT20 has been brought forward to a December-January window to avoid the cluttered January-February window and finish up well before the men’s T20 World Cup, which will run from February to March.

The ILT20, UAE’s franchise-based league, is three seasons old and has always been played at the start of the year, clashing almost entirely with South Africa’s SA20 and parts of the Australian BBL and Bangladesh’s BPL and, before this year, the PSL in Pakistan.

This time, though, it will begin on December 2, 2025 and run till January 4, 2026.

December 2 is also the UAE’s national day – Eid Al Etihad. There will be a slight overlap with the SA20, though, which starts on December 26, and a similar – or somewhat bigger – overlap with the BBL.

“Following extensive discussions with all our stakeholders, we believe the 2 December 2025 to 4 January 2026 tournament window is ideal for the DP World International League T20 Season 4,” ILT20 chief executive David White said in a statement.

“The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup begins in early February, hence it was important for us to start and finish Season 4 well before the tournament, as it will allow the players playing both the DP World ILT20 and the T20 World Cup to prepare for national duty.

“In addition, we feel that the December-January window will provide the teams with the best opportunity to access a bigger pool of players.”

It’s not clear yet if this is a one-off or will be the regular window for the tournament going forward.

ILT20 chairman and Emirates Cricket Board vice-chairman Khalid Al Zarooni said, “The UAE National Day is the day where we celebrate the United Arab Emirates, which is home to people from around the world, including millions of diehard cricket fans.

It is a real honour for us to join the nation in the UAE National Day 2025 celebrations with the launch of the region’s biggest T20 league – the DP World ILT20 Season 4 – on the same day.”

The ILT20 has been a six-team competition so far, with Gulf Giants, MI Emirates and Dubai Capitals winning the trophy in the first three seasons. (ESPNcricinfo) 

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Investigators probing the armed robbery at the Number 66 Village, Corentyne Chinese supermarket have arrested four suspects, who have since admitted their roles in the crime.

The suspects in custody are Joshua Smith, called “Bias”, a 30-year-old construction worker of Liverpool Village, Corentyne, Berbice; Andre Crandon, called “Gunman”, 38, a labourer of Little India, Corriverton, Berbice; Jacob Fable, also known as ‘Samuel Fable’, 58-year-old Guyanese fisherman, residing in Paramaribo, Suriname and Fitzroy Joseph, 27, also a labourer of No. 65 Village, Corentyne, Berbice.

A fifth suspect, who goes by the alias ‘Edson’ is being sought.

The robbery occurred around 19:20hrs on May 8 at Golden Spring Chinese Supermarket, owned by Zing Hong, at Number 66 Village, Corentyne.

Several persons, including the owner and customers, were robbed of cash, jewellery, and a motor car.

According to information reaching the News Room, the suspects were questioned and have since reportedly provided detectives with details about the respective roles they played in the crime.

Joseph repeatedly admitted that he acted as a “look-out”.

While Fable reportedly told investigators that he planned the robbery and also supplied the firearms, which he said he brought from Suriname via backtrack.

On the night after the robbery, he claimed that he handed over the weapons to an individual known as “Tallman”, who returned them to Suriname.

The News Room was told that while the robbery was being committed, Joseph reportedly claimed that he took up position at a gas station situated close to the police station and sent out an alert if the Police were summoned and dispatched to the scene. For this, he was given $100,000 after the robbery.

Meanwhile, Smith and Crandon also admitted to their involvement. They identified themselves to the Police in the CCTV footage which captured the robbery.

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