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The Pele Football Club Alumni Corporation is set to host its annual Youth Development Seminar on April 22nd and 23rd, 2025, at the Marian Academy, Carifesta Avenue.

The two-day programme aims to empower 100 young participants with knowledge and skills across various sectors.

The seminar will feature a diverse group of facilitators covering topics ranging from the burgeoning oil and gas industry and healthcare to aviation, dental hygiene, social etiquette, suicide and mental health awareness, gender-based violence, essential life skills, and insights into the aviation sector.

Notable presenters include Georgetown Public Hospital CEO Robbie Rambarran and Cecil Jacques, both former Presidents of Pele Football Club.

They will be joined by other former club Presidents, Dr. Colin Watson, Desire Edghill, Warren Oudkerk, Wenceslas Laundry, and Dawn Braithwaite.

Dirk Exeter, the current President of Pele FC, will also address the attendees, with the keynote address at the opening ceremony to be delivered by Floyd Haynes.

Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, Executive Board member and Treasurer of the Pele FC Alumni Corporation, highlighted the commitment of the US-based group, primarily composed of former Pele FC players from the 1970s and 1980s, to give back to their homeland by focusing on youth development.

“This initiative has been ongoing for many years, and we remain deeply committed to it,” Barton said. “It brings us immense joy and satisfaction each year to empower these young people through our programmes. We dedicate significant effort to realizing our vision of enabling young individuals to stay focused, aim high, and strive for excellence.”

Eric ‘Riggie’ Smith, another board member of the Pele FC Alumni, emphasized the motivation derived from witnessing the success of youths supported through their scholarship programme.

He shared a particularly inspiring story: “Many of these kids lack the financial means to pursue their educational dreams. We decided to select some and provide monthly support. We’ve seen encouraging results, with one student successfully completing pilot school and now working towards gaining their license.”

Smith further noted that this success story fuels the Pele FC Alumni Corporation’s drive.

The organization also continues to support the Pele Football Club directly, with over twenty players from the club scheduled to attend the seminar. Each participant will receive a backpack filled with essential school supplies.

Ahead of the seminar, the Pele FC Alumni organized a one-day football fiesta on Thursday, April 17th, at the Ministry of Education Ground.

The event featured three matches: Pele Under-13s against Vurlon Mills Academy, a senior clash between Pele and Santos rekindling a long-standing rivalry, and a final match between the Under-19 teams of Pele and Buxton Stars.

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Police Officers at the Kurupukari Checkpoint, along the Linden to Lethem Trail, have arrested four individuals after they suspected that three underage girls were being trafficked.

In a release, the Ministry of Home Affairs said two trucks were detained, and four individuals, including two drivers and two porters, have been taken into custody.

Investigations into the case are ongoing.

The post Four arrested over suspected trafficking of underage girls appeared first on News Room Guyana.

By Avenash Ramzan in Antigua in association with Cricket Zone USA, E4 and I&S Trading

Guyana romped to a commanding 133-run victory over Windward Islands on the back of spectacular individual performances from Reyaz Latif, Lomar Seecharran and Richard Ramdeholl in Round Three of the Cricket West Indies’ Rising Stars Under-15, 50-over Championship at the Antigua Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Guyana’s second win in three matches secured a second place spot behind unbeaten Barbados on the points table as the tournament heads to the business-end with the final two rounds.

Batting heroes! From right: Richard Ramdeholl, Lomar Seecharran and Reyaz Latif (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/April 19, 2025)

Half-centuries from opener Seecharran and skipper Ramdehol powered Guyana to 288-7, the highest total of the competition.

Windward Islands, in reply, found no answers to Latif who grabbed a hat-trick on his way to a six-wicket haul, as they folded for 155.

Following the second round defeat to Jamaica after starting with a win against Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana knew a massive win with bonus points was needed to keep them in the hunt for championship honours.

Lomar Seecharran on the attack against Windward Islands (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/April 19, 2025)

Inserted to bat first, Guyana was indebted to opener Seecharran, who, in a tremendous display of his fitness in searing heat, batted throughout the 50 overs to end on 93 not out.

The Demerara Cricket Club left-hander faced 129 balls and struck 11 fours in an innings that was the cornerstone of Guyana’s total.

Richard Ramdeholl plays a shot through the off-side (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/April 19, 2025)

After Guyana slipped to 42-3 with opener Justin Dowlin (13), Arif Bacchus (10) and Luke Amsterdam (0) dismissed, Seecharran and Ramdeholl of Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club repaired the innings with a fluid 97-run stand for the fourth wicket.

Ramdeholl, the aggressor, rode his luck, hitting 10 fours in 59 off 48, his second half-century in three innings this tournament.

His dismissal at 139-4 saw Guyana endure a mid-innings collapse with Jathneil Nurse (15), Brandon Henry (6) and Prosper Jacobus (3) being dismissed to make it 173-7 with 15 overs still remaining.

Reyaz Latif gets on his toes to play a shot (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/April 19, 2025)

In danger of being bowled out, Latif joined Seecharran and the pair batted out the overs, stringing together an unbroken stand of 115 to lift Guyana to the winning total.

Latif, the diminutive right-hander from Transport Sports Club, stroked a solid 48 not out off 54 balls, hitting four fours.

He then returned with the ball to claim 6-34, including three wickets off consecutive deliveries in the 34^th over, to bowl Guyana to victory.

There was a wicket apiece for Ramdeholl (1-14), Patricce Fraser (1-37) and Rafell McKenzie (1-40).

Latif’s figures is the best in the tournament to date, pipping the 6-41 taken by William Pitman of the Leeward Islands, while Seecharran now has the joint most runs (126) with Tesfah Ward of Jamaica.

Reyaz Latif sprints off in celebration after claiming a hat-trick (Photo: News Room/Avenash Ramzan/April 19, 2025)

At the end of three round, Barbados leads the standings on 16.4 points, followed by Guyana (11.4), Jamaica (10.2), Trinidad and Tobago (8), Windward Islands (6.8) and Leeward Islands (2.8).

Round four on Monday will pit Guyana against bottom-of-the-table Leeward Islands at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Barbados against Windward Islands at the Antigua Recreation Ground and Trinidad and Tobago against Jamaica at the Coolidge Cricket Ground.

Below are the summarised scores from the other round three games 

At the Coolidge Cricket Ground: Barbados defeated Trinidad and Tobago by 42 runs

SUMMARY: Barbados 158 all out from 44 overs (Rajeev Parsooram 41, Joshua Thompson 22*; Jayden Sadaphal 3-36, Sanjiv Bachu 2-25, Samuel Stewart 2-26, Ethan Ramcharan 2-34) vs Trinidad and Tobago 116 all out from 36.3 overs (Jordan Julien 30, Kaiden Pollard 22; Justin Parris 4-16, Asher Branford 2-6, Joshua Thompson 2-25)

At Liberta Sports Club: Jamaica defeated Leeward Islands by 35 runs

SUMMARY: Jamaica 240-6 from 50 overs (Tesfah Ward 88, Andrew Lloyd 36, Zachary Buchanan 30*, Wayne Plummer 27, Rajae McGeachy 25; William Pitman 2-34, Ondre Peters 2-61) vs Leeward Islands 205 all out from 49.3 overs (J’Quan Athanaze 97, De’Morae Prentice 26; Eckoney Robinson 4-53, Andrew Lloyd 3-30)

The post U-15: Latif bowls Guyana to victory after batting heroics from Seecharran and Ramdeholl appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyana’s Tianna Springer once again demonstrated her prowess on the regional junior stage, securing a brilliant gold medal in the Girls’ Under-20 400m final at the CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Springer clocked an impressive 53.07 seconds to retain her title, remarkably her third consecutive individual gold at the Games.

Barbados’ Kadia Rock (53.52s) took the silver medal, while Jamaica’s Abrina Wright (53.78s) claimed the bronze.

There was further success for Guyana in the Boys’ Under-20 400m final, where defending champion Malachi Austin narrowly missed out on retaining his title.

Austin ran a strong race to finish second in 46.54 seconds, just three-hundredths of a second behind Zion Miller of The Bahamas (46.51s).

Trinidad and Tobago’s DA Shaun Lezama finished third (47.43s). Fellow Guyanese Kaidon Persaud finished fifth in the same race (48.26s).

See below the full release from the PNCR/ APNU:

Easter is meaningful for all of us as a season to celebrate family fun and unity.

It is a nostalgic experience of better, simpler days — a time of togetherness as parents and children, family and friends, will raise a kaleidoscope of colourful kites in the hopeful skies throughout our beautiful country.

These are times we cherish forever.

As the kites are raised and float with their frills in the wind, so too must our hopes for a better Guyana be lifted.

Easter reminds us of sacrifice and hope. Today, our hearts are filled with hope of a brighter tomorrow.

We in the PNCR/APNU recommit to nation-building based on fairness, freedom and justice for all Guyanese as reflected in the spirit of Easter.

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See below the full message from the PPP/C:

The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends warm Easter greetings to all Guyanese, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, as we observe this sacred and joyous occasion.

Easter holds profound spiritual significance for Christians around the world. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ—a powerful symbol of triumph over suffering, renewal, and everlasting hope. The message of Easter is one of redemption, faith, and unwavering belief in the possibility of new beginnings. It reminds us all, regardless of faith, of the importance of compassion, humility, tolerance, and love for one another.

The story of the resurrection is not only central to Christianity, but also offers universal lessons of perseverance, sacrifice, and the belief that light can emerge even in the darkest of moments. In these teachings, we find encouragement to rise above personal and collective challenges with strength and unity.

In Guyana, Easter is more than a religious observance; it is a celebration of our shared culture and diversity. Across our country, Guyanese from all backgrounds come together in the spirit of unity, as families and communities partake in the beloved tradition of kite-flying. This vibrant display in our skies symbolizes freedom, renewal, and the joy of togetherness that defines us as a people.

As we celebrate, the PPP also encourages all Guyanese—especially our children and young people—to observe safety measures while flying kites to ensure that the holiday remains one of joy and peace for everyone.

Let us be inspired by the values of Easter and reaffirm our collective commitment to building a more inclusive, compassionate, and hopeful nation.

Once again, a Happy and Blessed Easter to all!

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SEE STATEMENT BY THE ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION OF GUYANA:

“Athletics Association of Guyana Statement Regarding Mixed 4x400m Relay at CARIFTA Games

END

The post CARIFTA GAMES 2025: AAG claims ‘protocols followed’ as Mixed Relay team disallowed appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Controversy has erupted at the 52nd CARIFTA Games in Trinidad and Tobago after Guyana’s Mixed 4x400m relay team was disallowed from racing due to a dispute over the timing of their team submission.

Officials upheld the decision despite a protest from the Guyanese camp.

The Mixed 4x400m relay was scheduled for 19:10h local time.

While the “agreed protocol,” according to a senior Trinidadian organising official, dictated that team submissions should be made two hours before the race, Guyana’s management believed the standard deadline was one hour before.

The management contended they were not officially informed of the new protocols.

It is understood that the call room, located within the warm-up area, is accessible to all teams and has a live feed of events.

The Trinidadian official stated the submission deadline was 17:15h, but Guyana’s list was submitted at 17:20h.

Guyana promptly lodged a protest, which they paid for, but it was unsuccessful; the appeal jury upheld the initial decision just before the race commenced.

Despite the organisers making several public calls for team submissions, the Guyanese quartet of Tianna Springer, Malachi Austin, Narissa McPherson, and Afi Blair were left off the starting blocks when the race eventually got underway around 19:30h.

A disappointed representative from Team Guyana stated, “We were willing to run the race under protest, as the appeal jury could not make a final decision, even though we had ample time after submitting our protest.”

The official also confirmed their request to run under protest was denied.

This is a significant blow for Guyana, which set a Games record of 3:23.51 seconds in the same event at last year’s CARIFTA Games in Grenada and had a strong team eager to compete.

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