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First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali addressed a United Nations gathering on Tuesday, highlighting the strong support for persons with disabilities in Guyana.

Mrs. Ali spoke at the 18th session of the Conference of States Parties to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In her statement, the First Lady detailed the legislative and institutional measures in place to support this vulnerable group in Guyana.

According to her, the Prevention of Discrimination Act and the Persons with Disabilities Act provide the legal foundation to prohibit discrimination in employment, mandate rehabilitation, ensure access to free education and healthcare, and promote participation in cultural and recreational life. Guyana also has its National Commission on Disability, which is tasked with promoting and protecting the rights of persons with disabilities.

But that’s not all. Mrs. Ali said the government has been keen on providing “practical support” including life-long public assistance, employment, housing opportunities, and assistive devices.

“We recently launched the Center for Equity, Opportunity and Innovation – that currently employs scores of persons with disabilities and provides technical, vocational and business development training.

“The combined efforts of the Mahaica Learning Lab, Board of Industrial Training, Business Center and the Open Doors Vocational Centre offers free skills training for persons with disabilities,” Mrs. Ali highlighted.

She also noted that Guyana is home to the Regional Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, which offers early diagnoses for children with disabilities.

First Lady opens Center for Equity, Opportunity and Innovation in Palmyra

 

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Ravens Basketball Club’s promising run in the Kreyol Basketball Festival concluded on Monday night with an 87-73 loss to GCB of Guadeloupe in the Northern Division championship game.

Despite a valiant effort and a strong tournament showing, the Guyana-based Ravens ultimately succumbed to the disciplined Guadeloupean squad.

Ravens kicked off their campaign two days earlier with a decisive victory over the DTread Blazers of Dominica, followed by another win against the USR Basketball Club, securing their spot in the final against GCB.

The championship game began with immediate intensity.

Ravens youngster Alroy Nurse was assessed two early fouls after an altercation with GCB captain Baptise, setting a tense tone.

Offensively, the Ravens’ intent was clear: push the ball and relentlessly attack the paint.

Defensively, Coach Rodrigues emphasised constant court awareness, imploring his team to keep eyes on the perpetually moving GCB players.

The officiating crew worked diligently to maintain control, but early fouls on starters from both teams proved particularly costly for the Ravens in the latter stages.

The first quarter ended with GCB holding a slim 29-26 lead, with Shamaar Huntley and Nicholai Smith leading the charge for the Ravens.

The second quarter saw the Ravens look dangerous. After trailing by three in the first, they adjusted their defensive strategy, effectively stifling the Guadeloupean offense.

Their relentless paint attack continued, spearheaded by shifty point guard Shamaar Huntley, whose nine-point contribution helped the Ravens outscore GCB 20-9 in the quarter.

Unfortunately, Huntley exited the game shortly after, sustaining a lower leg injury. Despite the setback, the Ravens headed into halftime with an 8-point cushion, leading 46-38.

The second half, however, belonged to the seasoned GCB squad. They executed their offensive sets clinically, easily overcoming the Ravens’ early lead and orchestrating a significant 15-point swing in their favor.

GCB capitalised on defensive lapses by the injury-plagued and foul-troubled Ravens, building a seven-point lead in the third quarter.

The timely return of Huntley to the game sparked a Ravens recovery, bringing them back within two points at 64-62 by the end of the third.

In the fourth quarter, GCB maintained their disciplined brand of basketball, while the Ravens struggled to find the right combinations to ignite their offense.

The Guadeloupeans executed flawlessly, embarking on a decisive run that extended their lead to as much as 15 points.

They outscored the Ravens 23-11 in the final quarter, sealing the 87-73 victory and securing their place in the ‘King of Kings Tournament’ in Guadeloupe later this August.

Shamaar Huntley led the Ravens with 23 points on 8-17 shooting from the field and 7-14 from the free-throw line.

Domonic Vincente and Nicholai Smith each contributed 11 points, while journeyman Ryan Gullen added an efficient 10 points on 4-6 shooting from the field, including two of four from three-point range.

Despite the championship loss, coach Marlon Rodrigues thanked his team for their professionalism on and off the court and expressed he is proud of their efforts throughout their tour of Dominica.

Their impressive 2-0 record in the Northern conference and strong overall showing put them in good standing for qualification in the King of Kings Tournament, with a spot typically awarded to the best runners-up in the conferences.

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More than 27 companies from Suriname, Trinidad and Guyana are participating in a trilateral trade mission expected to provide opportunities for stronger relations and business ventures.

The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC), in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), launched the event, on Tuesday at the Pegasus Corporate Suite, Georgetown.

The TTMA-SGCC Trade Mission aims to create pathways to bridge the challenges companies face. It is said to embody what the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) regional trade agreement among the CARICOM member states, aims to do.

President of the TTMA, Dale Parson, said the opportunities that can arise from companies to benefit each participating country is significant and with areas untapped, the participants are urged to hold meaningful discussions in Guyana.

He also said these countries’ partnership with the TTMA, inter-regional trade can be improved.

“With the growing opportunities in Guyana, there’s a huge gap that needs to be filled out of demand because it’s a fast growing economy and it’s an opportunity for all of the manufacturers here to take advantage of,” Parson said.

Rahul Lildhar, Chief Executive Officer, Suriname Guyana Chamber of Commerce and Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA), Navin Dookeran.

Director of TTMA, Navin Dookeran echoed sentiments of trade improvement and business ventures that will benefit the participating companies.

Rahul Lildhar, Chief Executive Officer, the SGCC, said by the end of this mission forms a space for unified economic growth.

“In terms of CARICOM, trade still accounts for 13-15 per cent among its member states that figure to us could be a challenge but it could also be an opportunity,” Lildhar said.

Guyana offers investment business opportunities and through this trade mission, it is expected that multiple areas of trade will be discussed and eventually developed.

As the nation develops, demand, needs and gaps that need to be bridged can become a reality. Participating companies hail from the manufacturing, logistics, energy, health, beauty, and consumer goods areas. Participating companies will undergo training, strengthened relationships with companies from neigbouring countries and improved trade relations

One such challenge that may soon be tackled involved logistics and according to Vishnu Doerga, the Chair of the SGCC, with the introduction of a ferry system between Guyana, Trinidad and Barbados that will accelerate trade between Caribbean countries.

Additionally, he encouraged persons to tap into areas of tourism and support Guyana’s development.

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June 9, 2025- The Ministry of Education has officially concluded the national distribution of the 2025 “Because We Care” Cash Grant and School Uniform and Supplies Grant.

This year, over 205,000 students across the country benefited from the initiative, which saw the disbursement of approximately $11.28 billion to parents and guardians. Each child received a total of $55,000, a combined sum from the “Because We Care” and the School Uniform and Supplies Grants, reinforcing the Government of Guyana’s commitment to supporting families and ensuring that children are equipped to participate fully in their education.

The 2025 rollout saw distribution across all eleven education districts and Georgetown. Region 3, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, recorded the third-largest distribution total with over $1.53 billion disbursed to parents of 27,830 students, while Region 6, East Berbice-Corentyne followed with $1.26 billion issued for 23,023 students.

Region 4C, East Coast of Demerara, also saw a significant share of the grant, with $1.23 billion given to support 22,465 students. In Region 4B, the East Bank of Demerara, 19,461 students benefited from grants totaling $1.07 billion.

Regions 1, Barima-Waini and 2, Pomeroon-Supenaam, received $797 million and $706 million respectively. Other regions such as Region 5, Mahaica-Berbice, Region 7, Cuyuni-Mazaruni and Region 9, Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo, received $638 million, $447 million, and $595 million, respectively.

For more information on the ‘mop up’ dates, click this link

Region 8, Potaro-Siparuni, with an enrolment of 4,373 students, received $240 million, while Region 10, Upper Demerara-Berbice, saw $646 million disbursed to parents of 11,747 students. Georgetown accounted for the highest single distribution total, with $2.1 billion reaching the parents of 38,284 students.

The Ministry of Education expresses sincere appreciation to Regional Education Officers, District Education Officers, head teachers, teachers, and support staff across the country who worked diligently to ensure a smooth and successful grant distribution. Their efforts were instrumental in the efficient and timely rollout of this important national programme.
The Ministry acknowledges that some parents and guardians may have been unable to collect the grant during their scheduled distribution dates. To address this, a mop-up period will be announced shortly to facilitate those who missed their original pick-up opportunity.

The “Because We Care” cash grant is a direct investment in the future of Guyana’s children. It reflects the Government’s continued commitment to equity in education and to reducing the financial burden on families, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. The Ministry remains committed to the success of this initiative and to the broader goal of delivering quality education to all (Ministry of Education press release)

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A traveller from Guyana was caught with 3.5 kilogrammes or about 7.7 pounds of cocaine hidden in several pairs of shoes at the Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canada.

The cocaine is said to be worth about CA$ 437,000 or about G$66.8 million.

“The evidence was seized and both it and the traveller were turned over to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Ontario,” a Facebook post from the Canada Border Service Agency stated.

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EDGE Sports Management (ESM) is proud to present the 2025 EDGE Series, taking place from July 12–20 in Georgetown, Guyana.

This multi-sport event will feature 3×3 Basketball, Table Tennis and Criterium Cycling, with the goal of highlighting the depth, diversity and excellence of Guyanese athletic talent.

The EDGE Series was created to provide a dedicated platform for local athletes to perform at home in a professionally run, high-profile setting.

Too often, Guyanese athletes go unseen on their own soil. This event aims to change that by giving athletes the stage they deserve and the support they need to grow.

Held in collaboration with the Guyana Basketball Federation, the Guyana Table Tennis Association, and the Kaieteur Attack Racing Cycling Club, the Series brings together Guyana’s top performers across three distinct sports, while also welcoming regional competitors to test their skills against our nation’s best.

The EDGE Series is more than competition- it’s about building pride, opportunity and visibility for Guyanese athletes. From juniors to national representatives, this event offers athletes the exposure, challenge, and encouragement needed to move forward in their sporting journeys.

The EDGE Series aims to spotlight Guyanese athletes on a national stage, providing them with the recognition and competitive opportunities they deserve.

It seeks to foster stronger community engagement and build a loyal fan base for local sports, while also creating a clear pathway for athletes to progress toward national and international representation.

Chelsea Edghill, CEO of EDGE Sports Management

Additionally, the event promotes collaboration across sports federations to enhance the systems of support available to athletes at every level.

Chelsea Edghill, CEO of EDGE Sports Management, shared: “The EDGE Series is for Guyanese athletes first. We want to celebrate them, challenge them, and most importantly show them and the country just how valuable their talent is. This is our opportunity to rally behind local sport and move it forward together.”

Events will take place at major venues in Georgetown, including the National Gymnasium and downtown race routes for the night criterium.

Full schedules and event details will be available at www.edgesmgy.com

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The ExxonMobil Guyana Linden Inter-School Football tournament concluded on Sunday (June 8) with an electrifying match between Mackenzie High School and Linden Technical Institute (LTI), finishing 2-2 after regulation time.

LTI would then go on to win the contest, edging Mackenzie High 5-4 on penalty kicks.

In the third place playoff, Linden Foundation Secondary kept their cool and made easy work of Wisburg Secondary, winning 3-0.

Mackenzie High School had the perfect start to the championship match with Azizi Grant scoring the fastest goal in the tournament in the first minute with an incredible long distance shot and Kymani Mackenzie doubling the score in the 24^th minute.

LTI then demonstrated why they were tournament’s favourites, keeping their composure and responding in the 30th minute with a blistering shot from outside the 18-yard box from Amari Cummings.

National youth player Dexter Milo then levelled the score in the 45^th minute.

The second half was a defensive battle in front of hundreds of fans as both teams held their nerves and took the game to kicks from the penalty spot.

The champions Linden Technical won G$400,000 to be used on a project to benefit the team and school, second place Mackenzie High G$200,000, Linden Foundation G$100,000 and Wisburg G$50,000.

Tournament MVP Dexter Milo Jr. from LTI will be awarded a Laptop. Best Goalkeeper Samuel Petrie and other individual awards, including an Academic and Sports Excellence award, will be presented at a presentation ceremony on a later date.

This year’s tournament also featured Christianburg Wismar Secondary School, New Silver City Secondary, Kwakwani/Arima Secondary School and Harmony Secondary School, who all performed incredibly.

All participating schools were a part of life skill workshops focusing on Men’s Health, Media Training, Confidence Building and Goal Setting.

All participating teams were also presented with a full set of gears (uniforms). Games were also played in Sub-Region Two, in Kwakwani to the delight of the players and residents.

A lucky fan- young Denzil Farrell- won a brand new iPhone 15, compliment of ExxonMobil Guyana.

The organising body New Era Entertainment to like to thank ExxonMobil Guyana, Bumper to Bumper Services, Ansa McAl Trading Limited, the Ministry of Education, the Regional Health Department and all participating schools for making this tournament a success.

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The Guyana Basketball Federation’s representatives- Coach Willon Cameron and U-23 standouts Stephen George, Arren Vanlewin, Anish Ramlall and Domitre Ranking- are currently participating in a 3×3 high-performance training camp in Paraguay.

The camp, hosted in the South American nation’s capital, Asunción, runs until June 13 and is part of a broader initiative aimed at preparing teams for the upcoming Junior Pan American Games.

The opportunity follows the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, paving the way for deeper sporting collaboration and development.

President of the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF), Michael Singh, expressed gratitude to the GOA for supporting 3×3 basketball, widely regarded as the sport’s fastest-growing discipline.

“3×3 basketball is high on the GBF’s agenda,” Singh said.

“This training opportunity in Paraguay plays a critical role in building out our development ecosystem for the format, and we’re thankful to the GOA for making this a reality.”

The Guyanese trio comes from diverse basketball backgrounds, with Ramlall playing NCAA Division II basketball at St. Cloud State University in the United States, while Ranking represents Colts Basketball Club, one of the nation’s top teams, under the guidance of Coach Cameron.

George is a dynamic talent for the Amelia’s Ward Jets, and Vanlewin, represents the Kwakwani Untouchables.

Coach Cameron brings a wealth of experience to the programme. A physical education teacher at President’s College, Cameron holds a degree in Sports Coaching from the University of the West Indies, along with FIBA Level 2 certification.

His résumé includes leading the Colts Basketball Club to back-to-back national titles as head coach.

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Villages along the East Bank, Soesdyke, Timehri and Highway will this weekend be locked in intense battle when the 2025 edition of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) East Bank/Soesdyke/Timehri Cluster Inter-Village Seven-A-Side Knockout Football competition takes place.

The venue is the President Youth Choice Ground, Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, with a grand march pass of the contesting villages set to ignite the start of action on Saturday (June 14) from 10:00h.

Defending champions, Kuru Kururu ‘A’ will be enjoying home advantage this year, but will have to bring their A game and more in order to stave off the challenges that are expected from the other villages that will be coming with their eyes focused on the top prize of G$700,000.

Second place will be worth G$500,000 with third valued at G$300,000, whilst fourth place will receive G$200,000. The top three individual players will also be rewarded.

Some of the best players along this corridor will be suiting up for their respective villages and while the rules allow for three non-village players, many of the villages have already disclosed that they are confident of winning the big prize with their villagers.

Amongst the villages already confirming their participation ahead of Thursday’s deadline are Kuru Kururu ‘A’ and ‘B’, Laluni, Herstelling, Soesdyke, Mocha, Eccles, Swan, Waiakabra, Airport Ballers from Timehri and Spaniards from Diamond.

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In his prime- at age 29- Nicholas Pooran has called time on his international career, ending his journey in the West Indies colours.

The left-hander, one of the most sought-after player on the global T20 circuit, made the announcement via his Instagram platform on Monday.

“After much thought and reflection, I’ve decided to announce my retirement from international cricket,” he said.

Pooran represented the West Indies in 106 T20I, scoring 2,275 runs with a highest score of 98, among 13 half-centuries. He has a strike rate of 136.

In ODIs, the Trinidadian played 61 matches, amassing 1,983 runs with three hundreds and 11 fifties. He finishes with an average of 39.66 and strike rate of 99.15.

Pooran has never played Test cricket.

Following Pooran’s announcement, Cricket West Indies issued the following statement:

Cricket West Indies extends sincere gratitude and appreciation to Nicholas Pooran for his outstanding contributions to West Indies cricket.

Nicholas officially informed the leadership of his decision to retire from international cricket, bringing to a close a significant chapter in his career.

A world-class player and a game changer, Nicholas leaves the game as the most capped West Indian in T20 Internationals with 106 matches and the leading T20I run-scorer with 2,275 runs.

His performances on the field and influence within the team have made a lasting impact on West Indies cricket.

We salute his achievements and thank him for the moments he has given fans across the region and beyond.

We wish him all the very best in the next phase of his journey.

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