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In a remarkable feat for Guyanese horse racing, One Guyana Racing Stable has etched its name in history by triumphing at the illustrious Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup.

This marked the stable’s debut in the Caribbean’s premier racing event.

Their horse, Harrow, showcased an outstanding performance at the Garrison Savannah, firmly establishing Guyana’s reputation on the international racing scene.

The Sandy Lane Gold Cup is revered as the pinnacle of Caribbean horse racing, a coveted title many aspire to clinch throughout their careers.

Guyana’s victory on its first attempt exemplifies the dedication, skill, and vision driving the nation’s equestrian industry forward.

Celebrations erupted across the country, highlighting a pivotal moment in the sport’s growth.

Speaking on behalf of One Guyana Racing Stable, the manager expressed heartfelt appreciation for the extraordinary win.

“First and foremost, we thank God for this opportunity. Our initiative aimed to represent Guyana, fueled by the passion of our horsemen and dedicated racing fans. We promised to bring pride to our nation on this grand stage, and we delivered!

This win is not just for our stable; it’s a victory for Guyana. It proves that we can achieve the extraordinary with vision, commitment, and support.”

Harrow’s success was a testament to meticulous preparation and the expertise of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., a Barbadian with a stellar international reputation.

Under his guidance, Harrow exhibited remarkable speed and resilience, clinching victory in the race’s final stretch, with jockey Rasheed Hughes skillfully steering the horse to glory.

“I want to extend my deepest thanks to Saffie Joseph Jr., who connected us with this exceptional horse and made our dream a reality,” the stable manager added.

“We also owe gratitude to his outstanding team, including assistant trainer Robert Peirce and his wife, the race club CEO, Jim Perry, whose unwavering commitment was pivotal in achieving this win.”

Harrow won Sandy Lane Barbados Gold Cup (PHOTO: Barbados Today)

The manager described the experience in Barbados as exceptional and praised the professionalism and warmth of the local racing community. “The environment here has been fantastic.

The racing industry’s organisation is commendable, and the locals have made us feel right at home. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported us on this journey. Success is a team effort, and Saffie has assembled a remarkable team.”

Guyana’s success on such a prestigious platform is set to invigorate the nation’s horse racing scene, inspiring a new generation of jockeys, trainers, and owners to aspire to international competition.

“I must also express my gratitude to my One Guyana Racing Stable team. When I made the call, they rallied together to form this dream team, driven by love for our country. This is a collective achievement; together, we’ve accomplished something special.”

The manager acknowledged the supportive role of the Guyanese government in advancing the sport. “I would like to thank the Minister of Sport and His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali for recognizing the potential of horse racing in Guyana. Their efforts to legalize and elevate the sport to international standards are paving the way for even greater successes.”

Celebrations continue across Guyana, the stable keenly focuses on its future ambitions. “We plan to capitalize on this opportunity as we continue our journey across Guyana, Jamaica, and South America. This is just the beginning of something remarkable.”

With this victory, Guyana has made a resounding statement on the Caribbean racing stage, laying the groundwork for a brighter future in the sport.

One Guyana Racing Stable’s historic achievement will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment for the nation’s equestrian aspirations. (Press Release from One Guyana Racing Stable) 

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Young table tennis players Jasmine Billingy and Colin Wong impressed at the Guyana Committee of Services (GCOS) Mashramani tournament, each winning two titles, while veteran Vibert ‘Cardo’ Williams also secured a double victory.

The tournament, held at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion, saw participants from across Guyana, competing in various categories.

Wong clinched the male Open and boys’ U17 titles, defeating fellow national juniors Krystian Sahadeo and Malachi Moore.

Billingy mirrored his success, winning the female Open and girls’ U17 titles, overcoming her rival Samara Sukhai.

Williams dominated the veterans’ category, winning both the over-55 and over-65 divisions.

The highlight of the tournament was the thrilling girls’ Open final. Sukhai initially took a 2-0 lead, but Billingy staged a remarkable comeback, winning the next three games to secure the title.

In the boys’ U17 final, Wong edged out Moore 3-2, while Sahadeo finished third.

In the Open division, Wong defeated Moore in straight games. Williams triumphed over Stanley Jones in the over-65 final and Shaun Abrams in the over-55 final.

The tournament was organised by national men’s singles champion Christopher Franklin.

Meanwhile, Sahadeo and Nigel Bryan have departed for a training stint in India, facilitated by the Minister of Sport and the Guyana Table Tennis Association. The GCOS assisted the duo before their trip.

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Guyanese table tennis players Nigel Bryan and Krystian Sahadeo have embarked on a significant training scholarship at Jain University in Bangalore, India, as part of a government-led talent development initiative.

Bryan, a former national men’s champion and multiple Caribbean title winner, and Sahadeo, a promising junior player, were selected by the Guyana Table Tennis Association (GTTA) for the six- to eight-week programme.

The scholarship is part of a broader government initiative coordinated through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) programme. It aims to enhance coaching and athletic capabilities in various sports, including badminton, basketball, cricket, golf, and swimming.

The programme at Jain University, known for its high-performance training environment, will see Bryan participating in a coach enrichment programme alongside his own training, while Sahadeo will gain valuable experience alongside top players.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, spoke to the athletes before their departure, emphasising the opportunity to “pave the way for many more athletes.”

He urged them to make the most of the “great facilities” at Jain University and to share their knowledge upon their return.

The Minister also pledged to maintain contact with the duo during their stay, highlighting the programme’s “fantastic” and “sport-specific” nature.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to develop a nucleus of talented athletes and coaches capable of competing at the highest international level.

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By Danielle Swain

danielle@newsroom.gy

Seawall on a Sunday night, the place to be – if you have a taste for loud music and cold drinks, between Camp Street and the Kitty Roundabout. It’s a weekly ritual, a ‘lime’ so bustling that the sound of rival boom boxes clashes in mid-air. The basslines race along the salty Atlantic shore, muddied by the Amazon, rattling louvre windows as though inviting you outside.

Martei Korley captures the essence of the Georgetown Seawall lime for the diaspora culture website LargeUp in 2016. (Martei Korley/LargeUp)

Join the crowds, and you’ll find them perched on fortifications built by the Dutch in the late 1800s, walls raised through the labour of enslaved Africans. Around you, frosty bottles clink. Vendors display an ingenious Guyanese twist on mobile refrigeration: once-seaworthy fridges transformed into rolling beverage carts, loaded with salt bags of ice.

Aromas from frying pans set on kerosene stoves and grills fashioned from halved oil drums swirl through the night air. Those who aren’t leaning against cars or shopping for ‘gun oil’ and barbecue huddle around makeshift bars tacked together from shipping containers, tarpaulins, or battered plywood. In Guyana, the line between ruin and resource has long blurred—no item is too old, too humble, or too unusual to be repurposed.

Martei Korley showcases the beauty of Guyanese ingenuity at the Georgetown Seawall lime for the diaspora culture website LargeUp in 2016. (Martei Korley/LargeUp)

One recent Sunday, though, February 16 to be exact, the Seawall revelry included more than the usual swirl of music and smoke: it hosted the second annual Dancehall Monarch Competition, set on a small stage adjacent to the 1823 Monument. Dedicated to commemorating one of the largest revolts by enslaved Africans in the Caribbean, the monument served as both a literal and symbolic reminder that resistance runs deep in these parts—and, as many claim, in dancehall itself.

On February 16, the Dancehall Monarch Competition drew a lively crowd near the 1823 Monument on the Georgetown Seawall (Keno George/DPI)

Dancehall, the once-marginalized “ghetto” music of Jamaica, now thrives in Guyana, propelled by booming sound systems and a younger generation hungry for new ways to party and protest. This year’s competition—scheduled on an overcast night to net passersby—crowned a new king: Carlvin Burnette, a charismatic performer best known until now as a top Soca artist. His decision to enter the ring triggered scepticism among dancehall diehards. But once he launched into his set—featuring “Dip Low,” a track some found suspiciously soca-like—he silenced the doubters with a freestyle toasted in true Dancehall style. In a memorable turn, he brought a coffin onstage, signifying the burial of any competition that dared stand in his path.

A history of resistance

Burnette’s victory unseated Clifford “Alabama” Charles, last year’s inaugural winner. Alabama’s “Bad Mind” earned him second place, tied with Emmanuel James, known as Lil Saint, who electrified the crowd with his song “Pakoo.” Meanwhile, a formidable new presence—Yolanda “Crenity” Gittens—claimed fourth, the only woman among the top contenders. Hers was a Patra-inspired performance, blending old-school reggae rhythms with a Lady Saw–style freestyle that teased a jolting kind of feminine power.

Yolanda “Crenity” Gittens—claimed fourth, the only woman contender to earn a cash prize. (Keno George/DPI)

Even as the crowd applauded, one can recall how, not so long ago, the very mention of a “Dancehall Monarch” competition in the annual Mashramani festival was met with outrage. Online debates flared, with some describing dancehall as “lawless.” Others asked whether it truly belonged in a celebration that many associate with calypso, steel pan, and soca. Their arguments echo the controversies that have trailed the genre since its birth in Jamaica.

Reactions: Dancehall Monarch Competition for Mashramani Announcement

Dancehall, as scholars Sonjah Stanley Niaah and Donna P. Hope argue, emerged from the island’s marginalized urban enclaves, pulling from reggae, dub, and an older tradition of “toasting” begun by Jamaican sound-system pioneers. At its heart lies what some critics call “slackness”: explicit lyrics about sex and violence, offered up with a bravado that can shock conservative sensibilities. Yet it is precisely through these taboo topics, these raw glimpses of daily life, that dancehall exerts its most critical power—airing the experiences of those left out of polite society.

Dancehall Monarch 2025 Album (Keno George/DPI)

Here in Guyana, where Christian, Hindu and Muslim mores and colonial hangovers still shape mainstream notions of decency, dancehall can incite fervent debate. Witness the uproar surrounding Lady Saw in Jamaica, who was banned from certain venues for her “unladylike” subject matter and performance style—only to highlight the double standard that often afflicts female artists. Indeed, critics blamed her for “slackness,” but Lady Saw, in her song “What Is Slackness,” turned the tables as quoted in a Chicago Tribune interview:

“Them a blame Lady Saw for the system them create

When culture did a clap, them never let me through the gate

Now, as me say sex, them want jump on me case

But kick the beam out of your eyes before you chat inna me face

Slackness is when the road want fe fix

Slackness is when government break their promise.”

Costumes, flags and prop coffins

On the Seawall stage, the contestants—some in outlandish outfits—revealed how dancehall in Guyana wavers between mainstream acceptance and edgy defiance. Where older Jamaican stars like Yellowman and new school Vybz Kartel once toyed with “pornographic slack toasts,” these Guyanese acts often pivot toward uplifting or comedic content. Lil Saint’s “Pakoo,” a playful homage to the local slang for a fish that represents a person who is easily duped, wryly sketches Guyana’s machismo culture while also giving other local talent like Kwasi Ace his flowers:

“You tek me for a Pakoo/you can’t pack salt in me back

Whan me buy you nuff thing/ and yet still I can’t lash

Best don’t buzz my phone/ because the jug will be hard

Run out ah gas/and me tires dem flat

Some girls does feel bannas really stupidy/Like Kwasi this place is crazy”

The audience roared as he ended by proudly announcing his love for his wife – ‘Barbie Gel Nails’ on Tik Tok, flipping a supposed sign of weakness into a lyrical badge of honour.

Lil Saint had the crowd with his performance of Packoo. (Keno George/DPI)

Perhaps the most controversial number was a spectacle by the artist Mrs Fluffy, who parodied Alabama onstage by having TikTok influencer, Annada Anthon dress in female underwear—an attempt, it seemed, to undermine his trademark brashness while simultaneously revelling in a comedic swirl of stereotypes. Here, too, dancehall’s interplay of empowerment and patriarchal tropes was on full display, exciting some in the audience and making others shift uncomfortably.

Mrs Fluffy brought TikTok influencer Annada Anthon onstage to parody Dancehall King 2024, Alabama—complete with women’s underwear. (Keno George/DPI)

Beyond the theatrics, though, the evening’s running themes centred on elevating “ghetto youth,” forging national pride, and pushing forward the ‘jump up’ energy that fuels carnival culture across the Caribbean. Songs of struggle and perseverance—even calls to support local artists—showed that dancehall might be rowdy, but it’s also a platform for upward mobility.

Dancehall Monarch 2025 brought the positive vibes (Keno George/DPI) 

A changing Mashramani

Quincy Lacon, known as Ego, was crowned Guyana’s Calypso Monarch 2025 on Main Street, Georgetown. (Kirth Cadogan/News Room)

Mashramani, once a festival dominated by calypso and steel pan, has evolved—some say too much, others say not enough. Some wonder if dancehall dilutes Guyanese tradition.

But as any good student of Caribbean history knows, these islands (and, in Guyana’s case, a piece of South America) have always participated in each other’s cultural invention. Soca, calypso, chutney, and now dancehall cross borders and language barriers, linking entire diasporas.

Vicadi Singh defended his title as Chutney Monarch 2025 in Berbice, on the same night as the Dancehall Monarch competition. (Avidesh Narine/News Room)

Diana Chapman, known as the Calypso Queen, claimed the Soca Monarch title in her hometown, Linden. (Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport)

In practical terms, the new Dancehall Monarch Competition invests in creative economies. The performers get cash prizes, yes, but money is also made by the designers, dancers, DJs, live band musicians, and stagehands. The local “pop-up concerts” organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport provided fresh opportunities for artists to showcase their craft and refine it in front of an audience that might not otherwise have ventured into the dancehall scene.

Many dancers performed for multiple Dancehall artists and had also taken the stage the night before at the Soca Monarch competition in Linden. (Keno George/DPI)

For Alabama, dethroned but still proud, the competition’s very existence is a sign Guyana can no longer ignore this art form. “Guyana is a people who love all varieties of music,” he said. “Our culture—you can’t leave out dancehall.” If you do, “You leff out a lot of the people them, the patrons who love Dancehall Music.”

“You can’t leave out Dancehall. Without it, you leave out the people who love Dancehall music.” – Alabama, performing at Dancehall Monarch 2025. (Keno George/DPI)

Beyond slackness

Many of the comments posted online—at times incendiary—claim that the dancehall is a descent into “lawlessness.” Yet, standing at the Seawall on a Sunday night, amid the clatter of aluminium pot covers and the glare of ad-hoc party lights, you can hear lyrics that are more about lifting the ghetto, praising hometown pride, and making money to rise out of poverty than about “slackness.” Even the more sensational acts carry a sly satirical edge, critiquing hypocrisy or naming social ills.

One of Carlvin Burnette’s dancers jumps into a split during his performance of Dip Low. (Keno George/DPI)

The late Guyanese folklorist Wordsworth McAndrew once warned that to neglect the cultural expressions of everyday people is “to set oneself adrift culturally—an act which one performs at one’s peril.” His words resonate here, on these walls built by our enslaved ancestors, with dancehall’s insistent bassline rumbling toward the Atlantic.

This year, the Ministry’s livestream of the competition logged over 84,000 views and over 3,000 comments. Corporate Guyana, local entrepreneurs, and government agencies alike profit from the collaboration that Mashramani brings to the arts—dancehall included—through costume design, stagecraft, sound engineering, and production services.

A stage-side view as the Daps Band sets the rhythm for the Dancehall Monarch contestants. (Keno George/DPI)

In late February, dancehall legend Vybz Kartel made a headline-grabbing visit to Guyana to launch his Str8 Vybz Rum, appearing alongside President Irfaan Ali at a press conference. There, he announced a forthcoming showcase, promising to return just before his May 24 Baderation concert to handpick one male and one female Guyanese artist for a collaborative project.

With the Ministry of Culture’s dancehall competition now spotlighting local talent—many of whom might otherwise remain unnoticed—Kartel’s initiative has the potential to catapult these rising performers from the Seawall stage to international airwaves.

Vybz Kartel and President Irfaan Ali interact at State House in Guyana. (Office of the President)

Yes, Mashramani is changing. The cynics might miss the ‘Mash’ of old, with steel bands and stricter notions of decorum, but the festival’s evolution reflects both a deepening regional exchange and the unstoppable creativity of the streets.

Dancehall, after all, has travelled far beyond the Jamaican sound systems that birthed it, landing here on Guyana’s Seawall, in the brackish air. However discordant it may sound to some, for many others it is a living conversation—between the past’s resistance and the future’s potential, between local heartbreak and unstoppable celebration.

Patrons film a Dancehall Monarch 2025 performance. (Keno George/DPI)

To quote another of Guyana’s great cultural voices, A. J. Seymour: “There’s so much we can do as a people if we can get together more.”

On that Seawall, under the glare of neon lights and the clatter of saucepans, perhaps that coming-together is already happening—one dance step, one prop coffin, one comedic lyric at a time.

Mashramani Dancehall Monarch 2025 Winners

1st Carlvin Burnette
2nd Emmanuel James (Lil Saint) (Tie)
2nd Alabama ( Tie)
4th Yolanda Gittens (Crenity)

Mashramani Dancehall Monarch 2025 Finalists

1. Clifford Charles (Alabama)
2. Hakeem McPherson (Jami Dan)
3. Relon Sumner (Original Lyrics)
4. Carlvin Burnette
5. Brian Griffith (Acidic)
6. Salahhudeen Muhammad (Nature Boy)
7. Sherwin Rose (Ras Isan)
8. Emmanuel James (Lil Saint)
9. Leslie Thompson (Antwan)
10. Jenel Archer (Mrs Fluffy)
11. Yolanda Gittens (Crenity)
12. Gabriela Rodriguez (Gabyluv)
13. Donovan Trotman (Kidd Strong)
14. Alvin Pompey (Fame A)
15. Malake Clarke (Kautic)

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The bodies of Rajendra Singh, 62-year-old labourer and his son, Reekesh Singh 27, a security guard, both of Lot 33, Number 4 Settlement, Blairmont, West Bank Berbice, who tragically fell overboard during a hunting trip, were successfully recovered on Sunday.

Reports are that around 8:30 hrs, while searching for the two men, family members located their bodies floating in the Ithaca and Blairmont areas of the Berbice River. They promptly retrieved the bodies and transported them to the Rosignol Fishery on the West Bank of Berbice. There, Videsh Singh, Rajendra’s son, positively identified the remains.

Reports confirm that Rajendra Singh was wearing a brown jersey, brown pants, black briefs, and black sneakers at the time of the incident.

Upon examination, no visible signs of violence were detected.

The bodies were subsequently taken to Fort Wellington Hospital, where a doctor on duty officially pronounced them dead. They are now at Bailey’s Funeral Home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.

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India beat New Zealand by 44 runs in the final group match of the Champions Trophy to set up a semi-final against Australia.

Having been set 250 to win on a slow surface in Dubai, the Black Caps were bowled out for 205 after a masterful performance from India’s spinners with Varun Chakravarthy taking 5-42.

Kane Williamson’s 81 kept New Zealand in contention, but the required run-rate mounted through the middle overs and the last seven wickets fell for 72 runs.

India are playing all of their matches in Dubai having chosen not to travel to Pakistan, and will face Steve Smith’s Australia in the first knockout match on Tuesday.

New Zealand, who had also already qualified before this match, will play South Africa in Lahore on Wednesday.

India’s batters also struggled for fluency as they slipped to 30-3, including another sensational catch from Glenn Phillips at point to remove Virat Kohli for 11.

A patient stand of 98 between Axar Patel and Shreyas Iyer, who top-scored with 79, led India’s recovery before Hardik Pandya’s run-a-ball 45 helped post a competitive total.

New Zealand were exceptional in the field while seamer Matt Henry starred with 5-42, but it was an ominously brilliant display from the India spinners on a favourable Dubai surface where the final will also be played if they qualify. (BBC)

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Several local and international business organisations have strongly condemned the unlawful incursion of Venezuelan naval vessels into Guyana’s maritime territory, an action which threatens both regional stability and the economic security of the nation.

Earlier, statements were issued by key private sector groups, including the Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), and the Guyana Shipping Association (GSA), condemning this provocative act.

These associations, along with other entities, have expressed grave concerns about the recent violation of Guyana’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), specifically within the Stabroek Block where ExxonMobil operates its Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) unit.

Head of the Private Sector Commission and Guyana Shipping Association Komal Singh and Head of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kester Hutson

The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) joined in the condemnation, calling the Venezuelan action a direct violation of international law, which all states are bound to uphold. According to the GMSA, the incursion not only threatens Guyana’s territorial sovereignty but also undermines the stability of the region and the economic progress made in recent years. The association reaffirmed its support for Guyana’s diplomatic and legal efforts, particularly the ongoing proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the 1899 Arbitral Award that affirms Guyana’s rights over its EEZ.

In a similar vein, the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber (GOGEC) condemned the Venezuelan incursion that reportedly occurred on March 1, 2025, in the Stabroek Block. GOGEC reiterated its support for the swift and strategic response by the Government of Guyana and highlighted the danger this event posed to the nation’s territorial integrity and regional peace. GOGEC further stressed that Venezuela’s actions contravened the spirit of the Argyle Agreement and a December 2023 ICJ order which explicitly calls for the maintenance of the status quo in the disputed area.

The European Chamber of Commerce (ECC) also issued a statement of condemnation, labelling the incursion as an illegal entry into Guyana’s EEZ. The ECC, representing international business interests, emphasised that such aggressive actions threaten not only Guyana’s sovereignty but also regional peace and economic development. The organisation underscored the importance of respecting international law, including the 1899 Arbitral Award, which firmly establishes the boundary between Guyana and Venezuela. The ECC expressed full solidarity with the Government of Guyana, calling for global support in ensuring Venezuela adheres to the legal framework and refrains from further acts of aggression.

All the business groups, united in their stance, have called for a peaceful diplomatic resolution, urging Venezuela to respect international law, the 1899 ruling, and the ongoing ICJ proceedings. They have also voiced their concern for the future stability of the region, emphasising the importance of maintaining investor confidence and continued economic growth in Guyana.

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Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, KC, has expressed grave concern following Saturday’s incident in which a Venezuelan coast guard vessel entered the maritime waters of Guyana.

Scotland in her statement, referenced the statement from President Dr Irfaan Ali, who confirmed the incursion.

According to President Ali, the Venezuelan vessel approached Guyana’s lawfully operating assets within its territorial waters and transmitted a radio message claiming to be in ‘disputed international waters,’ despite being well within Guyana’s jurisdiction.

In response, the Commonwealth Secretary-General strongly condemned the Venezuelan action, urging the international community, as well as the Commonwealth family, to continue to lend their support to Guyana in this ongoing territorial dispute. Secretary-General Scotland also praised Guyana for its measured response, which demonstrated both restraint and responsibility, opting to pursue diplomatic channels to address the situation rather than escalating the conflict.

The recent incident stands in stark contrast to the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace, signed on 14 December 2023, between Guyana and Venezuela. The agreement called for both countries to resolve their differences through international law and diplomatic efforts, while explicitly avoiding any actions that would heighten tensions in the region.

In her statement, the Commonwealth Secretary-General reminded Venezuela of the importance of adhering to international law, particularly the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on provisional measures issued on 1 December 2023. This order, which remains in effect pending the Court’s final judgment, instructed Venezuela to refrain from any actions that could alter the current situation in the disputed area, where Guyana continues to exercise control and administration.

Furthermore, the Secretary-General highlighted the unanimous support expressed by Commonwealth Heads of Government during their October 2024 meeting in Apia, Samoa. The Leaders reiterated their full backing for the ICJ’s jurisdiction over the dispute and emphasised their commitment to upholding Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

In conclusion, Secretary-General Scotland called on Venezuela to respect international law and refrain from any further actions that could destabilise the peace and security of the Caribbean region. She reiterated President Ali’s request, made on 1 March 2025, for Venezuela to respect and honour Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Commonwealth’s unwavering support for Guyana has been evident in multiple statements, including those made on 6 April 2024, 1 November 2023, and 1 December 2023, as well as the 3 September 2024 Outcome Statement from the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana (CMGG). The Commonwealth remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Guyana’s territorial claims and diplomatic efforts in resolving the dispute with Venezuela.

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By Azizi Christiani

Twenty (20) teachers from Region Two participated in a two-day badminton training workshop last Friday and Saturday, aimed at introducing the sport in schools.

The initiative was facilitated by the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, National Sports Commission and Region Two Sports Organiser, Wazeeda Bacchus.

The workshop formed part of the Five Priority Areas programme, which seeks to expand sports development in schools across the region.

To support the growth of badminton, each participating secondary school received badminton racquets under the Shuttle Time programme, made possible through support from Badminton Pan-Am and the Badminton World Federation.

The training was conducted by a team from the Guyana Badminton Association, including Marlon Chung, Matthew Klautky, national badminton player Priyanna Ramdhani, and GBA President Emelia Ramdhani.

Reflecting on the success of the workshop, Emelia Ramdhani expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the initiative.

“The Shuttle Time teacher’s workshop was a success, and I’d like to thank Wazeeda Bacchus for facilitating and organising it in the region,” she declared.

“I also extend my gratitude to the Ministry of Education’s Five Priority Areas Division and Mr. Saeed Zameer for coming on board and collaborating with the Guyana Badminton Association to make this possible. Moving forward, I hope the teachers apply what they’ve learnt, pass it on to their students, and eventually produce badminton champions from Essequibo.”

Ramdhani added that the GBA is deeply committed to promoting badminton across Guyana, and as part of its efforts to foster inclusivity, the governing body plans to expand the Shuttle Time Programme to additional regions, ensuring greater access to the sport nationwide.

With this training, teachers are now better equipped to introduce badminton to students, fostering greater participation in the sport and paving the way for future development in Region Two.

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United Kingdom (UK) Foreign Secretary David Lammy has reiterated Britain’s unwavering support for Guyana’s territorial integrity after a Venezuelan patrol vessel on Saturday violated the nation’s maritime space.

In a statement on Sunday, Lammy condemned the provocative act, emphasising the UK’s commitment to Guyana’s internationally recognised borders. The Foreign Secretary called on Venezuela to refrain from further actions that undermine Guyana’s sovereignty.

“Yesterday, Venezuela violated Guyana’s maritime territory in a provocative act,” Lammy stated. “The UK is steadfast in its support for Guyana’s internationally recognised territorial integrity and urges Venezuela to refrain from such actions.”

The violation of Guyana’s maritime territory has raised concerns over the ongoing tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

The UK has long been a supporter of Guyana’s rights to its territory and continues to stand by its position on the matter.

The UK’s swift reaffirmation of support sends a strong message of solidarity to Guyana, as the country seeks to protect its sovereign rights against external challenges.

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