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Fitness Express has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to the development of powerlifting in Guyana, throwing its weight behind the upcoming Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation (GAPLF) Intermediates and Masters competition.

The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 19, 2025, at the St. Stanislaus College Auditorium in Georgetown.

This continued partnership comes as the GAPLF transitions under new leadership. Paul Meusa took over the presidential reins from Franklin Wilson just two weeks ago.

The Intermediates and Masters competition will mark Meusa’s first assignment at the federation’s helm.

Jamie McDonald, Owner and Manager of Fitness Express, congratulated Meusa on his new role and affirmed his company’s dedication to the sport.

“We were more than happy to maintain our company’s commitment to the development of the sport,” McDonald stated, highlighting Fitness Express’s long-standing support for powerlifting in Guyana since its resurgence under former presidents Peter Green, Ed Caesar, and Gordon Spencer.

McDonald emphasised the tangible impact of their consistent investment. “It’s a tradition for us here at Fitness Express to continually back the progress of the athletes. We are satisfied that our continued investment has seen the sport rise and our athletes become consistent medallists for Guyana. We’d love to see this maintained under your stewardship as we continue to empower the federation.”

Newly elected President Paul Meusa expressed the gratitude of the new executive committee and the athletes for Fitness Express’s crucial backing. He reiterated the federation’s commitment to building upon the sport’s progress and ensuring its continued development.

The Intermediates and Masters competition on Sunday is expected to feature a lineup of seasoned and emerging powerlifters.

The weigh-in for athletes is scheduled to begin at 06:00hrs, with the lifting commencing at 09:00hrs at the St. Stanislaus College Auditorium.

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The fairways of the Lusignan Golf Club (LGC) are set to become more diverse and vibrant as the club implements ambitious plans to significantly expand access to the sport across Guyana.

With a clear strategic focus on welcoming more women, nurturing junior talent, and introducing the game to complete newcomers, the LGC is actively working to shed golf’s traditional image and build a genuinely inclusive community.

A particularly encouraging development is the emergence of the “Fairway Ladies,” a dynamic new group comprising business professionals and diplomatic corps members. Many within this enthusiastic contingent are entirely new to golf but have expressed a strong desire to embrace the sport and become active members of the Lusignan fraternity.

Chet Bowling, Secretary of the Lusignan Golf Club, highlighted the club’s commitment to supporting this burgeoning interest. “We’re planning to engage them by providing coaches and introductory sessions to the game,” Bowling explained.

“Our goal is to eventually launch what we hope will become a Women’s Golf League. These women are excited, and we want to create a space where they can learn, play, and grow within the sport.”

The LGC’s dedication to cultivating the next generation of Guyanese golfers remains a cornerstone of their development strategy.

Preparations are underway for the eagerly anticipated Annual Summer Camp, scheduled to run throughout July and August.

This extensive programme goes beyond the confines of the Lusignan course. The club plans to conduct clinics in diverse locations across Regions 4, 5, 6, and 10.

“We’re currently in the planning stages and have reached out to Republic Bank, who sponsored us in 2023, to come on board again,” Bowling confirmed, referencing the successful partnership that supported the junior programme in the past.

“It’s an extensive program where we run clinics across Regions 4, 5, 6, and 10.

Some of our members volunteer to travel and conduct those clinics, which culminate in a grand finale at the Lusignan Golf Club.” The recommitment of corporate partners like Republic Bank is seen as crucial to the success and expansion of these vital youth initiatives.

These focused initiatives underscore the LGC’s broader mission to dismantle perceived barriers to golf participation.

By taking the sport directly to schoolchildren in various regions and actively inviting women from diverse backgrounds, the club is working to demonstrate that golf is a game for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or location.

While the LGC continues to host significant tournaments and forge strategic partnerships within the sporting and corporate sectors, its renewed emphasis on outreach and inclusivity signals a clear vision.

The Lusignan Golf Club is positioning itself as a premier golfing venue and a vital community hub dedicated to expanding the sport’s footprint and impact across Guyana.

As Bowling articulately said, “It’s all about building a golf culture in Guyana—one that’s welcoming, engaging, and truly representative of the diverse talent and potential we have across the country.”

The efforts at Lusignan suggest a promising trajectory for the growth of golf as a truly national sport in Guyana. (Modified Press Release from LGC) 

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Cricket West Indies (CWI) has asked the ICC to provide a fair and transparent pathway for at least one of the Caribbean’s sovereign nations to represent the region at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

The issue is that in cricket, the Caribbean island nations compete under the “West Indies” banner and are administered by one cricket board (CWI), but only sovereign nations are allowed to contest at the Olympic Games.

At the Los Angeles Olympics, where six nations each will compete in the men’s and women’s T20 disciplines, the region hopes to have at least one of its sovereign states in action.

“The Caribbean has always punched above its weight at the Olympics, inspiring the world with our athletic brilliance,” CWI president Kishore Swallow said in a statement. “Cricket’s return to the Games in 2028 must not exclude our young cricketers from the same dream that has inspired our athletes. The Olympic Charter emphasizes fairness, transparency, and universality.

We are simply asking that these principles be upheld – not just in spirit, but in structure. West Indies cricket must have a pathway, and fully deserves an opportunity to compete.”

West Indies’ women are ranked sixth on the ICC T20I rankings, and the men are fifth.

If the teams are finalised based on rankings (at a cut-off date) and not much changes to the current positions, both the men and the women should make the cut, but there is an additional complication: USA, as the hosts, might gain automatic qualification despite their low ranking.

This isn’t confirmed yet, but if that were to happen, only five further spots would be available.

The ICC has so far made no announcement on what the Olympic qualification process would be.

In its proposal to LA28, the ICC had suggested the six teams be shortlisted based on the T20I rankings at a cut-off date. The final call on qualification, while not taken yet, is expected to be made this year.

On the question of USA, Kit McConnell, the International Olympic Committee’s sports director, had said in October 2023, “Normally, the host country is one of the teams in the team sports, and then we look at a balance of global strength and regional representation, and try and find that balance within the available quota as well.”

CWI has suggested…

• If rankings are used and West Indies men and women teams technically qualify, an internal qualifying tournament among its Olympic-affiliated member countries should determine which island represents the West Indies; or
• Have a global qualifying pathway that includes associate ICC members in the five ICC Development Regions plus member countries of the West Indies.

The first of these would have the CWI, through domestic tournaments, pick their champions for the LA Olympics. The second would involve a more rigorous selection process, in which the sovereign nations that are members of the CWI compete alongside a host of other nations for Olympics spots.

At the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, when women’s T20 cricket was included, Barbados took part. West Indies were direct qualifiers, and Barbados were selected because they were the champions of the West Indies’ regional competition of the time – the Twenty20 Blaze.

What the CWI board has stressed is that qualification criteria must be “fair and transparent”.

CWI chief executive Chris Dehring said, “Our nations have proudly flown their individual flags atop Olympic podiums as perennial gold medallists. Now, with cricket’s inclusion, we must ensure that our cricketers are not shut out of history. We are ready to collaborate. We are ready to compete. But above all, we are asking for fairness.”

Cricket has only once been played in the Olympics, way back in 1900. On that occasion, France and Great Britain competed, with Great Britain winning the two-day match by 158 runs. (ESPNcricinfo) 

The post CWI asks ICC for ‘fair and transparent’ pathway to LA28 Olympics appeared first on News Room Guyana.

It’s more than just hitting a ball against a wall.

For a contingent of Guyana’s most promising squash talents, a rigorous seven-day high-performance training camp in Paraguay is proving to be a deep dive into the science of athletic excellence.

The camp is underpinned by a recently activated Memorandum of Understanding between the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and the Paraguayan Olympic Committee.

This ground-breaking collaboration has paved the way for three male and two female athletes to benefit from an environment where data drives development and progress is meticulously measured.

The Guyanese athletes participating in this intensive programme are:

• Mary Fung-A-Fat
• Kirsten Gomes
• Samuel Ince-Carvalhal
• Louis Da Silva
• Mohrayn Baksh

The camp’s comprehensive schedule is designed to enhance every facet of their game.

Key areas of focus include crucial strength and performance assessments, allowing for a data-driven approach to identifying strengths and areas for improvement.

This is complemented by targeted strength and conditioning sessions, dynamic court work, and focused circuit training.

Furthermore, the athletes receive expert guidance on nutrition, doubles play strategy, essential footwork drills, and engaging in competitive play to hone their match readiness.

This initiative, born from the formal activation of the GOA-Paraguayan Olympic Committee MoU, signifies a significant step in leveraging international partnerships to boost athlete development and performance through scientifically backed methods.

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See below the full release from the Ministry of Finance: 

The post Union agreements inked for GPL, GUYOIL workers appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Guyanese swimmer Raekwon Noel has continued his impressive form at the inaugural Pan Am Aquatics Championships in Colombia, securing his second gold medal and lowering another national record, this time in the 200m Butterfly.

Noel commanded the final, touching the wall at 2:02.53 to claim the gold.

His powerful swim saw him finish ahead of Andres Brooks of Puerto Rico, who took silver in 2:04.04, and Mark Van Eybergen of Mexico, who secured the bronze in 2:05.69.

The gold-medal winning time also represents a new Guyanese national record in the 200m Butterfly, surpassing his previous mark of 2:03.33 set in the preliminary heats of the same competition.

Noel had already lowered the national record in the prelims from his prior best of 2:04.21, highlighting his significant improvement in the event.

This latest triumph follows his winning performance in the 100m Butterfly earlier in the championships, where he also set a new national record (54.00 seconds), further cementing his status as a rising star in regional swimming.

Looking ahead, Noel is scheduled to compete in the 100m Backstroke and 400m Freestyle as he chases further success in Colombia.

Meanwhile, fellow Guyanese swimmer Shareefah Lewis is also in action. She is set to compete in the heats of the girls’ 16-18 50m Butterfly on Friday, aiming to qualify for a spot in the final.

Lewis previously competed in the 50m backstroke final, finishing in eighth place.

The post Another gold, another record for Raekwon Noel at Pan Am Championships appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Corporate support continues to stream in for the Demerara Cricket Board’s (DCB) upcoming Independence T10 Cup, with L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio being the latest establishments to commit to the tournament.

The fund-raising event is slated for May 25 at the LBI Ground, East Coast Demerara.

L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio CEO Lookeshwar ‘Vick’ Mahabeer presented a financial contribution to DCB Secretary Davteerth Anandjit earlier this week.

The presentation occurred at the cambio’s location on King Street, Georgetown.

Mahabeer, an ardent cricket fan and West Indies Over-40 player, expressed his delight in becoming a partner of the highly anticipated tournament.

He wished the DCB well in its endeavour to garner much-needed funds to aid in the growth and development of the sport in the county of Demerara.

L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio is the fifth business to support the tournament, joining Office Express, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Anil Beharry Real Estate, Construction and General Business Services and Naven’s Construction.

Anandjit commended Mahabeer for his kind gesture and reiterated the importance of corporate support in fostering the game’s development.

The DCB executive said the board is extremely grateful to everyone who has embraced the tournament, whether through financial means or other forms of support.

Anandjit added that plans are moving full steam for the grand Independence T10 Cup, with teams and players to be announced in the coming days.

Eight first division teams from the county will compete for top honours in a one-game knockout format.

A total cash prize of G$500,000 and trophies will be up for grabs at the one-day event.

While players within the respective associations will represent the teams, each team is allowed two guest players from other counties.

The champion team is guaranteed G$250,000 cash plus a trophy; the runners-up will receive G$150,000 and a trophy, while the losing semi-finalists will receive G$50,000 each.

On the individual side, the Man-of-the-Match in the semi-finals and final will receive a trophy.

Action will bowl off at 10:00h and conclude under floodlights.

The post L. Mahabeer and Son Cambio partners with DCB for Independence T10 Cup appeared first on News Room Guyana.

Tensions between Guyana and Venezuela have risen as the Spanish-speaking nation plans an election for the Essequibo region, and Guyana’s Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan warned that there will be serious consequences for anyone in Guyana who votes in those elections.

The Chief of Defence Staff told reporters that any Venezuelan living in Guyana who votes in the May 25 election will be arrested and then deported.

“You cannot vote in a country of yours and come to our country and believe that it will be okay,” Brigadier Khan said on Thursday.

He acknowledged that numerous Venezuelans are living in Guyana, many of whom came to the country in search of “betterment.” However, he said it would be unacceptable if those Venezuelans went back to their country to vote in an election that concerns territory recognised as Guyana’s.

‘We’re not sitting back’ – President says borders actively monitored, foreign partners updated on Venezuela situation 

Additionally, Brigadier Khan warned that any Guyanese participating in those elections would also be dealt with condignly. There will be “implications,” he said.

The two countries have grappled with a border controversy for decades. Guyana has taken the case to the ICJ, seeking a final, binding ruling that the Essequibo is its own, affirming the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the border between the two countries.

Venezuela announced that it intends to hold elections in the Essequibo region, an area internationally recognised as Guyana’s territory and has been under Guyana’s administration for over 100 years. So the Venezuelan election plan, scheduled for May 25, 2025, is seen by Guyana as a direct violation of the Court’s Order and international law.

Earlier this month, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) unanimously reaffirmed provisional measures granted in December 2023 and told Venezuela that it shall refrain from conducting, or preparing to conduct, elections in the Essequibo region.

(more…)

The findings of the internal investigation into the crash of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Bell 412 helicopter, which claimed the lives of five soldiers in December 2023, were all acted upon, Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, said on Thursday.

However, the findings of the substantive probe into the accident have not yet been released.

The Brigadier spoke about the GDF’s Board of Inquiry done after the crash, at a press conference on Thursday.

“All the recommendations, all the findings of our internal investigation have been acted upon,” Brigadier Khan told reporters.

Five confirmed dead following crash of army helicopter

In keeping with its protocols, the GDF established a Board of Inquiry into the crash that occurred on December 6, 2023. This is different from the substantive probe undertaken.

“We were a stakeholder in that investigation. By the nature of Guyana’s law, the Ministry of Public Works has that mandate to direct an investigative body to investigate that incident,” Brigadier Khan said.

He said the findings will be made available once the official report is released.

The crash claimed the lives of five servicemen. They are: Lieutenant Colonel Michael Charles, Colonel Michael Shahoud, Retired Brigadier Gary Beaton, Lieutenant Colonel Sean Welcome, and Warrant Officer Class 2, Jason Khan.

They were part of a seven-member crew on board the army’s Bell 412 helicopter.

The helicopter’s black box, which consists of the aircraft’s flight information, has been sent to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington, United States, for analysis.

(more…)

See below the full release from the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD): 

The Maritime Administration Department (MARAD) is responding to an oil spill incident involving the Motor Vessel AROYAT, IMO # 9151395, which is moored alongside the Demerara Sugar terminal (DST), Ruimveldt.

The Palau-flagged vessel is a bulk carrier and entered the Port Georgetown on May 15, 2025, for the purpose of loading rice.

MARAD was informed about this incident at approximately 17:00 hours today.

The National Emergency Response Team including, MARAD, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard (GDF-CG) was immediately mobilised, and mitigating efforts are underway to stop the leak and contain the spill.

Concurrently, an active investigation into the cause(s) of the incident is ongoing.

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