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The highly anticipated ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League (GSL) T20 fixtures have been officially unveiled.

They promise a thrilling spectacle of world-class cricket at the National Stadium, Providence. 

The tournament will ignite on Thursday, July 10, 2025, culminating in a grand final on Friday, July 18.

The home side, Guyana Amazon Warriors, will kick off their campaign on the opening night, facing off against the defending GSL champions, Rangpur Riders from Bangladesh.

This opening clash is expected to set a high standard for the competition, featuring two formidable T20 outfits.

The 2025 edition of the GSL boasts an elite lineup of five powerhouse franchises from across the global cricketing landscape:

• Central Stags (New Zealand): Reigning New Zealand’s Super Smash champions.
• Dubai Capitals (United Arab Emirates): The inaugural ILT20 title winners.
• Guyana Amazon Warriors (West Indies): Finalists from the 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
• Hobart Hurricanes (Australia): Champions of Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
• Rangpur Riders (Bangladesh): The defending champions of the Global Super League.

With domestic league champions from multiple cricketing nations converging, the 2025 GSL is poised to deliver unparalleled T20 action and unforgettable entertainment for fans. Teams will battle for the prestigious ExxonMobil Guyana Global Super League title and a substantial US$1 million prize pool, adding another layer of intensity to the competition.

All 11 tournament matches will be hosted exclusively at Providence, ensuring a centralised and high-quality cricketing experience for players and spectators alike. 

Date and time	Teams	Venue
Thurs 10 July, 10am	Central Stags vs Dubai Capitals	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Thurs 10 July, 7pm	Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Rangpur Riders	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Fri 11 July, 10am	Hobart Hurricanes vs Dubai Capitals	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Fri 11 July, 7pm	Central Stags vs Guyana Amazon Warriors	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Sun 13 July, 10am	Rangpur Riders vs Hobart Hurricanes	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Sun 13 July, ​7pm	Dubai Capitals vs Guyana Amazon Warriors	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Tues 15 July, 7pm	Hobart Hurricanes vs Central Stags	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Weds 16 July, 10am	Dubai Capitals vs Rangpur Riders	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Weds 16 July, 7pm	Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Hobart Hurricanes	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Thus 17 July, 10am	Rangpur Riders vs Central Stags	Guyana National Stadium, Providence
Fri 18 July, 7pm	Final – First Place vs Second Place	Guyana National Stadium, Providence

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The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) team has arrived in Barbados for the 2025 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships.

The squad is aiming to retain their Short and Long-Range titles, with individual honours also on offer.

The 12-member team, which includes two female shooters for the first time in 20 years—Kay-Ann Ghanie and Althea Alleyne—landed on Sunday and is reported to be in good spirits after recent training at the Timehri Rifle Ranges.

Team Captain Dylan Fields expressed confidence in his squad’s preparation, noting that their focus now shifts to adapting to match-day conditions, including the current rainy weather in Barbados.

The rest of the team comprises Vice-Captain Leo Romalho, Manager/Coach Mahendra Persaud, Lennox Braithwaite, Ryan Sampson, Peter Persaud, Sherwin Felicien, Roberto Tewari, and USA-based riflemen Sigmond Douglas and John Fraser.

Various donors have supported the team’s participation, including President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Brigadier Omar Khan, Commissioner Clifton Hicken, Minister Charles Ramson Jr., Godfrey Munroe, Ramsay Ali (CEO of Sterling Products), Queensway Security Ltd, Crown Mining, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Guyana Police Force, Guyana Revenue Authority, and Caribbean Airlines.

Participating countries in this year’s championships include Antigua and Barbuda, Guyana, Jamaica, the US Rifle Team, Canada, the UK, and the host nation, Barbados.

The individual competition began on Tuesday morning, following the official opening ceremony.

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A US$22.58 million contract was inked on Wednesday for the construction of a 15-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Linden, and when completed, the mega project will be the largest solar farm in Guyana.

A Chinese joint venture between SUMEC Complete Equipment and Engineering Company and XJ Group Corporation has undertaken the project, working alongside the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) through the GUYSOL programme.

Team leader of GPL’s Executive Management, Kesh Nandlall said the engineering, procurement, and construction contract will lead to the development of three solar systems in Linden.

Linden’s current electricity demand stands at about 11 MW. Therefore, this solar project, which includes batteries for power storage, will ably meet the demand and cater to any growth in the Region’s energy needs.

“This is the largest single investment in renewable and solar PV energy in Guyana,” Nandlall declared at a contract signing event held Wednesday at the Watooka Guesthouse, Linden.

The contract for the Linden solar farm project was signed at the Watooka Guesthouse (Photo: Shaconeil Burnette/ May 21, 2025)

The project will also allow the government to slash the amount of money invested each year to subsidise the cost of purchasing and distributing electricity in Linden. Guyana’s Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, however, emphasised that the government will not hike the cost of electricity.

And he vowed, “The needs of electricity of linden will be supplied by this solar farm which will be ready sometime in 2026 and we will be able to use less fossil fuels… and contribute to saving the planet.”

The initiative falls under the Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic (GUYSOL) programme. It uses funds Guyana earned from Norway to keep its rainforests intact; the money was kept in the Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund (GRIF).

Guyana gets ‘greenlight’ to use US $83M Norway funds for solar farms

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At this year’s National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat addressed the longstanding mining issue in Chinese Landing, Region One (Barima-Waini).

According to Bharrat, former Toshao Orin Fernandes was offered two mining blocks for village-led mining activities.

“The application is still pending at [the] Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), it is only for the Toshao or leader of Chinese Landing to go to GGMC now to complete that application,” the minister revealed.

He explained that this decision was made following representation by Toshaos in Region One.

In providing historical context, Minister Bharrat said that mining in Guyana has been ongoing for decades, long before the legal protections currently in place for Indigenous communities.

He explained that it wasn’t until the Amerindian Act of 2006, that Indigenous peoples were legally granted rights over their village lands. This legislation introduced a formal land titling process, through which Indigenous communities like Chinese Landing were able to gain legal ownership of their lands.

Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat

However, Bharrat highlighted that before the passage of the 2006 Act, GGMC had already issued mining concessions to businessman, Wayne Vieira in Chinese Landing.

These mining blocks later became a point of contention, as they were within the boundaries of the land title granted to Chinese Landing.

“I don’t know what happened then,” Bharrat stated.

Adding: “But if I had the opportunity to be involved in the process, I would have excised that area out, like we are doing now because when we are issuing land titles today, we ensure that there are no encumbrances.”

In 2010, GGMC issued a Cease Work Order (CWO) against Vieira’s operation, because he was in violation of the Amerindian Act – mining without the community’s permission.

Vieira successfully challenged the decision to issue the CWO in the High Court where it determined that the order could only be issued in relation to breaches concerning the Mining Act and not the Amerindian Act.

This decision was then appealed and again Vieira won.

According to Bharrat, the government further took the case to the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The CCJ ruled in favour of Vieira’s rights to the mining concession in 2017.

“So, it is not as we as government or I as natural resources minister don’t want to act, but we are bounded by the law and we are compelled to act on the decision made by the CCJ in favour of Wayne Vieira in the Chinese Landing matter,” Minister Bharrat explained.

The Village Council then wrote the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), raising issues about environmental pollution and health risks the mining activities posed.

IACHR responded to the government to take immediate action and in August 2023, all mining operations in the area were suspended.

“We stopped all the mining, including Vieira,” Minister Bharrat said.

However, he further noted that the government options remained constrained due to the courts’ rulings.

 

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Hayley Matthews again etched her name into the history books with a sensational unbeaten century, her third in T20 Internationals and the first ever by a West Indian woman against England, but her brilliance proved in vain as they slumped to an eight-wicket defeat in the opening T20I in Canterbury on Wednesday.

On a sun-kissed evening at the St Lawrence Ground, Matthews, as is often the case, was a lone beacon of resistance in the West Indies lineup, as she produced a dazzling 100 not out off just 67 deliveries, laced with 16 crisp fours and a solitary six.

It was a captain’s knock brimming with timing, touch, and temperament, but the lack of meaningful support from the rest of the batting cast left West Indies with a modest 146-7 from their 20 overs.

England, in contrast, made light work of the chase, as they reached the target at 150-2 with 21 balls to spare. Sophia Dunkley was imperious with a stroke-filled 81 not out, while Heather Knight added a brisk, unbeaten 43.

The pair’s unbroken 91-run stand for the third wicket swept the hosts to victory at a canter.

Having won the toss and opting to field, England were immediately on top with the ball. Lauren Bell struck early, removing Qiana Joseph (two) and Zaida James (zero) cheaply, while the West Indies’ top and middle order crumbled under tight lines and poor shot selection.

Only wicketkeeper Mandy Mangru (17) and Shabika Gajnabi (11) offered little resistance in the innings.

All the while, Matthews stood tall in an innings, which was a masterclass in anchoring and acceleration, as she kept her composure while wickets tumbled around her.

It was the kind of knock that deserved a competitive total, but with no batter reaching even 20, Matthews was left carrying the innings alone.

Bell (2-29) led the England bowling charge.

In reply, England started at a brisk pace, though the West Indies missed an opportunity as Jannillea Glasgow, at short third, dropped Danni Wyatt-Hodge in the opening over. However, the opener was eventually dismissed for 17 by Zaida James.

Afy Fletcher then removed Nat Sciver-Brunt (zero), but Dunkley’s elegant stroke play and Knight’s authoritative presence nullified any pressure.

The pair rotated the strike fluently and punished anything loose, denying the West Indies any hope of a comeback. Dunkley’s 56-ball knock had 12 boundaries, while Knight had six boundaries in her 27-ball knock. (SportsMax)

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Serious concerns were raised about the conduct of some Police Officers in Baramita, Region One (Barima-Waini), and Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn vowed to thoroughly probe the matter.

The concerns were raised by Baramita Toshao, Sharmain Rambajue at this year’s National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference. According to the village leader, residents complained that the officers were harassing them.

The Toshao claims that at least one rank demands that shopowners pay fines ranging from $100,000 to $150,000 for late-night breaches. This was demanded, she explained, even after the Village Council imposed a closing time for the shop owners.

Baramita Toshao, Sharmain Rambajue

“When I mentioned to him [the Officer] that the Amerindian Act only gives provision for those who breaking rules to pay $19,000, he would say ‘the Amerindian Act was outdated and when last it was updated’,” Rambajue explained.

She further claimed that following the lifting of the national curfew that was recently imposed, residents were still forced to pay between $30,000 and $40,000 in fines without being issued any receipts.

“They would say the receipts are not in Baramita, but in Port Kaituma,” the Toshao said.

According to Rambajue, these allegations were brought up at a recent public meeting with residents and Police ranks. The Toshao stated that residents are now living in fear of the Police Officers.

“I am requesting, on behalf of Baramita, the immediate removal of those officers. We need officers who the village council can work with, and also officers that the people will be happy to work with,” she stated.

The Toshao went on to state that four residents, two males and two females, are interested in being trained as police officers to serve their community.

Given Baramita’s proximity to the Venezuelan border, she also called for the establishment of a permanent Guyana Defence Force (GDF) base in the community.

“We did hear Baramita speak specifically on problems there, and names were named. We will deal with this matter. We will talk some more about it with Baramita, and we will get to the bottom of it,” Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn responded.

Meanwhile, Toshao Alvoro Simon of St. Cuthbert’s Mission also criticised the performance of Police Officers in his community.

Simon described the officers’ attitude toward incidents as unprofessional and selective, claiming that they would “pick and choose” what reports they investigate.

The Toshao further claimed that Officers also fail to wear their Police uniform while on official duty.

“The residents have asked if we can have a continuous rotation of those Police Officers every six months would be perfect, because they stay longer, they become comfortable,” Simon said.

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Prime Minister Mark Phillips on Tuesday announced the Cabinet’s recent approval of $885 million to provide solar systems with battery storage to 21 Amerindian communities across the country.

“Toshaos, these 21 solar PV with batteries will benefit 12,703 of the villages’ populations,” the Prime Minister revealed during day two of the annual National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference in Georgetown.

Some villages that will benefit from the solar systems include: Mashabo in Region Two (41.5 kilowatt system), St Cuthbert’s Mission in Region Four (51kw system), and Kamarang Settlement in Region Seven (106kw system).

Additionally, Issano/Tassarene and Micobie will each receive a 51kw system, while Karrau in Region Seven, Rupertee, Katoonarib, Parabara, and Sawariwau in Region Nine will each receive 41.5kw systems.

Several other villages in Regions One, Seven, and Nine will also benefit from the solar systems.

Meanwhile, in response to several village leaders requesting solar farms in their communities, the Prime Minister assured that teams from the Guyana Energy Agency will conduct assessments.

However, this does not guarantee that the communities will receive solar farms.

“We will be sending out teams to your community because if you are to get a solar farm, we have to do an assessment first and the GEA has teams that are visiting communities and doing assessments to determine where we can site those solar farms,” the Prime Minister said.

He further noted that the household solar systems are also being delivered to various communities.

Communities like Santa Aratak in Region Three and Kangaruma in the Middle Mazaruni requested solar farms.

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For the first time in Guyana’s history, seven new judges have been recommended to be appointed to the Court of Appeal and five of them will be sworn in on Wednesday.

This is the first time that so many judges will be appointed to the Court of Appeal.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall SC, in an invited comment, welcomed the new appointments and extended his “sincere congratulations.”

“It will be recalled that the Court of Appeal Act was amended (in April 2023), increasing the complement of judges from five to nine. After the amendment, the Judicial Service Commission recommended to the president the appointments of Justices Navindra Singh, Priya Sewnarine Beharry, Damone Younge, Dr Rafiq Khan, SC and Dr Joycelin Kyte-Thomas.

Justice Naresh Harnanan

“Recently, (on April 28, 2025), the National Assembly passed another amendment that inceases the complement of Court of Appeal judges from nine to 11.  Following that amendment, the Judicial Service Commission made two further recommendations to the President – Naresh Harnanan and Jo-Ann Barlow,” the Attorney General noted.

On Wednesday, five of the judges will be sworn in, the Supreme Court stated, noting that Dr Khan and Younge will be sworn in at a later date.

“…our government has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting the judiciary by resourcing it, providing the necessary legislative framework, and enabling it, in every way, to efficiently perform its constitutional functions,” Mr Nandlall said in piloting the last amendment.

Justice Jo-Ann Barlow

He had pointed out that the Court of Appeal had suffered from a small complement of judges for decades, most times operating with between two and five judges. The Court currenty has three judges.

“Litigation has increased manifold over the decades. The judiciary has long suffered from a backlog of cases, which has become a matter of national concern,” Nandlall stated.

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Over 250 firearm licences will be issued soon, as promised at this year’s National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference, and Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn specified that the licences will be issued for shotguns only to support crop and livestock protection in Indigenous communities.

As such, he said, the firearms must not be used to threaten fellow villagers.

“Make sure they are used for lawful activity, make sure they are no threats to each other by these weapons because if that is the case, they will be withdrawn,” Minister Benn warned the Indigenous leaders as more persons began requesting firearm licenses following the President’s announcement.

Toshaos at the 2025 National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference 2025

While addressing these concerns, Minister Benn emphasised the need for environmental responsibility when hunting with the firearms.

“One of the issues is that we cannot expect the Toshao to go hunting everyday.

“Importantly, we don’t want to be giving out licences and we start shooting up all the animals in the bush, we don’t want to shoot up the jaguars and so on, we don’t want a decline in our natural heritage in terms of our animals and so on,” Benn stressed.

And so, he said more robust laws to protect the wildlife in the country.

“We have to bring in sufficient laws for the protection of the species so that control has to be there and that advice has to be given,” Benn said.

Toshaos at the 2025 National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference 2025

President Dr. Irfaan Ali made the announcement for the issuance of firearm licenses to be granted to persons in indigenous communities after requests were made for increased security support.

A special team was present at the conference to facilitate the firearm licence application process.

Meanwhile, Benn acknowledged challenges raised by leaders, particularly from communities like Wakapoa, as he pledged to assess the needs for police outposts in various communities.

The Minister also highlighted the expansion of community policing groups (CPGs) and the use of technology and intelligence in improving national sovereignty and public safety. He outlined recent strides in delivering emergency response and firefighting equipment to remote regions, as well as efforts to support victims of violence, especially in areas affected by substance abuse.

“Development will not be optimised without security. We must all work together to improve safety, ensure opportunity, and increase peace in Guyana,” Benn said.

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Days after patrol ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were attacked on three separate occasions at the border shared with Venezuela, the United States Ambassador Nicole Theriot said her country is ready to assist with crime-fighting efforts in the border area shared with Venezuela.

Theriot delivered a strong message of support for Guyana’s sovereignty and security at the 33rd Annual General Meeting of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) on Tuesday.

“Venezuela, of course, has also been in the news recently due to the Sindicatos’ acts of aggression against the GDF patrol in the Cuyuni. These are criminals engaging in criminal activities and the United States stands ready to support the GDF in its effort to eradicate this activity along Guyana’s frontier and to ensure the safety and security of Guyana’s people,” the US Ambassador said.

At a briefing last week, Guyana’s Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan said the recent attacks were carried out by men dressed in civilian clothing who used automatic weapons. He was, however, unable to state whether the Venezuelan gunmen are part of the country’s military.

GDF enhances operational posture, continuing to patrol border – Chief of Defence Staff

Theriot also condemned Venezuela’s ‘provocatory’ elections in Guyana’s Essequibo region.

“Everyone should see the sham for what it is. It is sabre-rattling from the Maduro regime, nothing more and no amount of bluster or sabre-rattling changes the fact that the United States will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Guyana in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

She also highlighted, “We fully support the (International Court of Justice) measures for Venezuela to halt its so-called elections in the Essequibo on May 25 and we are extremely unhappy that they made that ill-advised decision to go ahead and move forward.”

The foreign diplomat also addressed Venezuela’s aggression as it relates to potential US investors and those doing business in Guyana.

“At the end of the day, it is just bluster aimed at shoring up domestic support. It should not affect Guyana’s investment climate or its readiness to do business,” she said.

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