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Billions of dollars are being spent on the resuscitated Community Service Officers (CSOs) programme, an investment the Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai defended during her contribution to the 2025 National Budget debate.

The CSO programme engages Indigenous youth, encouraging them to support their communities through various tasks and training opportunities. The youth engaged get a stipend while in the programme.

In the 2025 budget, some $1.5 billion was set aside to support about 2,700 CSOs in Indigenous communities. This sum adds to the $4.2 billion already channeled into the programme over the past four years.

And for Sukhai, the programme is one that gainfully engages Indigenous youth, giving them a stake in the development of their communities while exposing them to training and leadership opportunities.

“The majority of the CSOs that support village development and community development did not stay in that level,” she boasted, noting that some of the CSOs have gone to to become Toshaos (Indigenous village leaders) or assume other leadership roles.

The minister, however, addressed claims made by Opposition Parliamentarian Vincent Henry that a former People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration axed the programme.

“It was in June of 2015 that the programme was abandoned,” she reminded the lawmakers gathered for the budget debate.

According to Sukhai, a cabinet decision was made to give the CSOs their stipend up to April. After the May elections, she explained, it was expected that the new government would continue the programme.

“The incoming government, whether it be the PPP/C or APNU+AFC, they would have had the responsibility to take the programme forward,” she said.

But that programme was discontinued and Sukhai said it estimated that about $3.6 billion was not invested in this programme, and the pockets of Indigenous youth, while the APNU+AFC coalition office was in office from 2015 to 2020.

Cognisant of the value of the programme, Sukhai said the PPP/C vowed to resuscitate. And soon after taking office in 2020, she recalled, the programme was revived.

Sukhai noted that the government is committed to support Indigenous youth and Budget 2025 will help it execute that mandate.

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In a shocking turn of events, the Kilcoy/ Chesney Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), in Region Six, was reportedly ransacked Monday night.

A councillor, Sandra Harricharran told reporters that on Tuesday morning she received the alarming news from the NDC’s Vice Chairman, who reached out to her to report the break-in.

Upon receiving this information, Harricharran, accompanied by the Vice Chairman, promptly arranged a visit to the NDC premises. Their arrival revealed the shocking extent of the disturbance; the upper flat of the building appeared to have been completely ransacked.

“Everything was disarranged,” she revealed.

A thorough inspection uncovered a significant breach in the wall, indicating the point of entry utilised by the suspects during the criminal act.

“They take off the windows too, but apparently they couldn’t have come through because grill is there,” Harricharran related.

One slasher, one chainsaw, 15 cutlasses, 15 files, six tablets, six power banks, five tablet chargers, 33 solar lights, and three spades were stolen.

The News Room understands that the tablets were used for the $100,000 cash grant registration.

“It was so shocking, we couldn’t have believed someone could’ve come in her and did something like that to the NDC,” she stated.

Despite the presence of a security guard, who was reportedly taking shelter from the rain that evening, he claimed to have witnessed no unusual activity leading up to the burglary.

Harricharran stated that the incident was reported to the Police, and the security guard was questioned.

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Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Shadow Minister Coretta McDonald locked horns on Tuesday during the 2025 budget debate over the state of education in Guyana, particularly the pass rates in Mathematics and English.

McDonald, who is also the General Secretary of the Guyana Teachers’ Union, laid much of the blame for the current state of education squarely on the shoulders of Manickchand.

She argued that during the tenure of the APNU+AFC coalition, substantial investments were made in education, including the development of schools.

According to McDonald, these efforts resulted in “effective learning” and improved educational outcomes. However, she painted a grim picture of the sector today, claiming that there is no clear indication that the investments made in recent years have delivered the expected results.

“The sector is in a mess now,” McDonald said, adding that the current government had failed to address the low graduation and matriculation rates at all levels.

“Where are we putting the monies allotted in the budget?” she asked.

In her rebuttal, Minister Manickchand took aim at the previous administration, noting that the PPP/C government had never shied away from addressing the challenges facing the education sector.

“We don’t hide from problems,” she said, adding that the PPP/C government would not rest until there was a 100% pass rate for both mathematics and English.

“So we don’t set up [Commissions of Inquiry] nonsensically. There is the problem. We will deal with the problem.”

Manickchand acknowledged the difficulty in improving these pass rates but reminded the House that the problem had long been recognised.

She pointed to the alarming pass rates in 2016, during the Coalition time in government, where 14 per cent of Grade Six students passed mathematics and fewer than 50 per cent passed English. The then Finance Minister, Winston Jordan, had labelled this situation as a matter of “extreme urgency,” but Manickchand pointed out that his government had done nothing more than establish a commission of inquiry, the report of which was never submitted to Parliament or published.

For Guyana, at the CSEC level, English A saw a slight decline in pass rates, dropping from 72 per cent to 69 per cent in 2024 while mathematics recorded a pass rate of 31 per cent in 2024, down from 34 per cent.

Against this backdrop, the Education Minister took time to outline the steps the PPP/C has already taken to address the issue. She highlighted the introduction of immediate interventions, including the distribution of scientific calculators, geometry sets, graph books, and other essential resources to students.

Monitors have been sent to schools to ensure teachers are adhering to the syllabus, and a focus has been placed on engaging parents in the educational process.

“We are doing something about it,” Manickchand declared.
She also referred to regional challenges, noting that the issue of declining pass rates in mathematics and English was not unique to Guyana but was part of a wider Caribbean trend.

She cited initiatives by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) that were set to address these issues, with a targeted plan to begin in September 2026.

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The National Commission on Disability (NCD) is currently in the process of formulating its strategic plan for 2025 to 2029 which should be ready by mid-February.

At a consultation session on Tuesday at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown, Executive Secretary of the NCD Beverly Pile told the News Room that the new plan will reflect more measures to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) have access to the justice system.

Further, the commission wants to see that individuals are employed with the right access in the workforce, and that they be furnished with adequate information, especially digitally.

“Continuing education in the form of information being given to the disability arena…we want to ensure that this happens. We are in the realm of technology now so we want to get digital stuff for persons with disabilities. We also want to continue doing surveys to ensure our data is intact; to make sure it is accurate and current,” Pile explained.

The meeting in session on Tuesday (News Room/January 28, 2025)

Participants at the session from Regions Three, Four, Five, Six, and 10, joined Consultant/Advisor of Catalyst Plus Canada, Derrick Norton, who is guiding them through the process of completing the plan.

A team from NCD will also be holding talks with persons in Region Two to garner necessary information for the plan. Even persons in the hinterland will be consulted via Zoom.

“So we are going to stretch across the 10 regions in this way in order to garner information,” Pile said.

Along with persons from the disability community, representatives from UN agencies and from the Ministries of Education, Health, Labour, Human Services, among others, are all helping to make the new plan a reality.

Currently, the team is reviewing the previous plan and outcomes so as to improve the new plan and complete whatever work could not be done under the last plan.

According to Pile, the most recent survey done reflects some 22,000 persons with disabilities on the database of the NCD.

She explained that the inaccurate figures of 40 – 50, 000 PWDs often float around because persons with multiple disabilities are counted as different persons. For example, someone with four different types of disabilities may be counted as four persons.

The NCD’s Strategic Plan 2015-2019 had general objectives and strategies of four programme components, namely: capacity building, advocacy for the rights of PWDs, monitoring and compliance with legislation, and the organisational strengthening of NCD.

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The 2025 National Budget Debate hit its third day on Tuesday with all the fire and fury expected from one of the most passionately debated sectors in Guyanese politics – agriculture.

Opposition Parliamentarian Vinceroy Jordon, who represents the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), kicked off the day’s exchanges with a speech that lasted almost 40 minutes.

His delivery was intense, and it didn’t take long for tensions to rise. On the government side, heckles echoed through the Chamber, while opposition members responded with bangs of their desks in support of Jordon.

But it was Jordon’s bold assertion about the future of the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) that truly ignited the room.

“Under the APNU+AFC, we will develop GuySuCo,” Jordon proclaimed, causing the House to fall silent for a moment before it erupted into laughter.

The declaration was nothing short of shocking. After all, the APNU+AFC Coalition’s record on sugar has been a steady point of criticism for their time in government.

APNU’s Vinceroy Jordan

During 2015 to 2020, the coalition closed four sugar estates, a decision that has been widely criticised.

So, for Jordon to now promise the development of the sugar industry under the very coalition that oversaw its decline amounted to a funny irony, drawing mockery from both sides of the House.

Jordon’s attempt to deflect blame for the state of GuySuCo was equally contentious. He claimed that the decline of the sugar industry was the fault of the PPP/C, contradicting the widely held view that it was the APNU+AFC’s policies that dealt the industry the most significant blows.

This did not sit well with Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha, who wasted no time setting the record straight.

Taking to the floor, Minister Mustapha delivered a sharp rebuttal, insisting that the PPP/C government had not laid off a single sugar worker during its tenure, particularly when it closed estates.

He took direct aim at Jordan’s claims that billions have been invested since 2020 to reopen estates, rehire workers, and revitalise the industry but there was nothing to show for it.

“The real history must be told,” Mustapha declared passionately.

“The facts cannot be buried under prepared speeches and political rhetoric. Our young people need to know the truth,” he added.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

Mustapha went on to highlight that under the APNU+AFC government, sugar production plummeted from roughly 231,000 tonnes in 2015 to just over 92,000 tonnes by 2019—an alarming 60% decrease. Four sugar estates were closed, and thousands of workers were sent home.

“They have a problem with sugar workers in this country because they feel that they support the PPP,” Mustapha charged, noting that the opposition’s actions were driven by a desire to punish those who aligned with the PPP.

Drawing attention to the progress made since 2020, Mustapha stated that 40% of cultivation land had been mechanised, with billions of dollars invested to upgrade sugar factories. He even expressed confidence that GuySuCo was on track to reach its target of over 100,000 tonnes of sugar production this year.

“This is not just rhetoric; this is real progress,” Mustapha added.

Altogether, the minister was scathing in his criticism of the APNU+AFC’s handling of agriculture.

“They should be the last to speak on agriculture. They destroyed this country’s agriculture,” he said.

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See below the full press release from the Guyana Elections Commission: 

The issue concerning the proposed introduction of biometrics at the place of poll for the upcoming General and Regional Elections, has been a prominent matter in the public domain for quite some time. However, since the decision by the Chairman of the Guyana Elections  Commission, Justice Claudette Singh on the 16th January, 2024, that the introduction of biometrics at the  Place of poll is not feasible within the time presently available before the elections are held later this year,  there has been the constant publication of opposing perspectives in the media’ over the past week, about the Chairman’s decision. 

In this regard, considering the sensitivity and importance of the matter, it is necessary for all Stakeholders to understand the rationale behind the Chairman’s decision. Hence, we take the opportunity to provide the necessary clarification. 

A motion circulated by Commissioner Vincent Alexander on the introduction of biometrics was first discussed at the Commission on the 22nd November, 2023. This motion for the introduction of such technology was premised on allegations of voter impersonation at places of poll and that such a feature could serve as an additional mechanism for enhancing the system of identifying voters on election day. 

Subsequently, this issue became a prominent agenda item at the statutory meetings of the Commission and it was during those deliberations that the Chief Election Officer (CEO), Mr. Vishnu Persaud was tasked with undertaking a feasibility study on the introduction of electronic fingerprinting at registration and biometric fingerprint identification of voters on election day. The feasibility study undertaken by the CEO presented several case studies on the use of biometrics fingerprinting in other countries, and highlighted multiple technical, legislative and administrative concerns. 

However, it has been noted that there are multiple reports in the public sphere that appears to be examining  such an important matter in isolation by only attributing prominence to the benefits of the use of biometrics without due consideration of the legal hurdle and by extension the challenges that can be experienced. 

In view of the foregoing and for the sake of clarity, it must be noted that while the CEO’s feasibility study acknowledged the benefits of biometric fingerprint identification, there were several challenges highlighted. The benefits highlighted includes: (i) a high level of security, as they are unique to each individual, making it difficult for fraudulent activities such as impersonation or multiple voting to occur, (ii) it offers a more accurate method of voter identification compared to traditional methods like ID cards or signatures, thereby reducing  the chances of errors in the electoral process, (iii) guarding Against Electoral Fraud; thereby ensuring the  integrity of the voting process and (iv) the use of biometric fingerprints can streamline the voter identification  process, leading to faster and more efficient voting. 

On the other hand, however, there were also several challenges to be addressed ranging from:

I. Technical challenges in which the reliability and accuracy of biometric systems have been  questioned due to factors such as poor network connectivity, power outages, hardware  malfunctions, and software glitches. These technical issues have led to delays in the voting process  and raised concerns about the effectiveness of using biometrics for voter identification.

II. Data security concerns since storing sensitive biometric data raises privacy and security risks, as  any breach or misuse of this information could have severe consequences. For example, there have  been instances of data breaches and leaks in India’s Aadhaar system, which has heightened  apprehensions about the safety of voter biometric data. 

III. Inclusivity issues have also emerged regarding the use of biometric fingerprint identification for  voting. Certain segments of the population, such as the elderly, manual laborers, or individuals with  disabilities, may face difficulties in having their fingerprints accurately scanned due to factors like  worn-out fingerprints or physical impairments. This raises concerns about disenfranchisement and  unequal access to voting rights. 

IV. Legal and ethical concern particularly since questions have been raised about the legality of  collecting and storing biometric data on a massive scale without robust data protection laws in place. There are also additionally ethical dilemmas that could arise concerning consent, transparency, and  accountability in handling voter biometrics.

V. The accuracy and reliability of biometric fingerprint identification systems were also questioned.  Concerns were raised about false positives or negatives, which could lead to voter  disenfranchisement or fraudulent activities if not properly addressed. 

VI. Infrastructure challenges due to vast size and diverse population could pose infrastructure  challenges for the widespread implementation of biometric voter identification. Remote areas often  lacked the necessary infrastructure to support biometric technology, making it difficult to ensure  universal access to this voting method. Limited access to electricity and internet connectivity in  some areas hindered the effectiveness of the system. 

VII. Operational challenges of implementing biometric technology for voting also be a challenge as  well. Training election officials, maintaining equipment, and ensuring smooth operations on election  days required significant resources and coordination. 

In addition to the foregoing, the feasibility study also outlined cost implications, inadequate voter education,  allegations of manipulation, resistance by political parties and public trust as challenges. Notwithstanding the  benefits and challenges of biometric technology, it must be emphasized that within the context of Guyana,  there is no legal provision and therefore, any such introduction at the place of poll would be unconstitutional  since it will impose additional conditions on a person’s right to vote. 

It was therefore against this backdrop and having considered the deliberations at the Commission that the  Chairman decided that even if GECOM were to implement biometrics as a supplementary tool to identify  persons, this will still require legislation since such a system would impose an additional requirement on  voters and would therefore be unconstitutional.  

The Chairman explained her decision that, notwithstanding the challenges of biometrics, it would be  unrealistic for GECOM to be ready for the upcoming elections considering all the things would be required to  do such as: (a) holding stakeholder consultations to determine whether GECOM should introduce biometrics,  (b) Consulting with stakeholders including the Government and the Parliamentary Political Parties to  determine whether it is even possible to do so now, considering things like costs and any legislative  amendments necessary to cater fully for it, (c) procurement of equipment for the introduction of biometrics in  the registration process and at the place of poll (d) training of staff on the use of such equipment, (e) Public education on the introduction of these systems and how they are to be used to aid in registration and in  voting. 

Against this backdrop, it is necessary for all stakeholders to be reminded that GECOM must operate within  the constitutional and legislative provisions while ensuring that no voter is denied his/her constitutional right  to vote. GECOM takes this opportunity to categorically state that it will ensure the safeguards and integrity  of its processes in the conduct of elections that will guarantee public confidence in a system that is free, fair, transparent and credible.  

 

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MACORP on Monday celebrated the graduation of the 17th cohort of its Trainee Technician Program at its MACORP Office, Providence, East Bank Demerara.

This six-month intensive training program is now offered at no cost to the trainees who are then offered employment at MACORP.

The program is geared to provide trainees with a combination of hands-on training, classroom instruction, and mentorship, from experts in se in Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Electrical Power Generation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Ritesh Tularam, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Technical), Ministry of Education, commended MACORP for its impactful contributions:

“MACORP recognizes its position as a leader in training in Guyana and has strategically positioned itself to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the workforce. This initiative aligns with the national vision, and we thank MACORP for their continued commitment to Guyana’s development.”

Mr. German Consuegra, Company President and General Manager, addressed the graduates with an inspiring charge:

“Today marks the first day of the rest of your careers. The sky is the limit. You’ve gained the knowledge – now make it happen! It’s my dream that in 20 years, one of you will be the CEO of this company. This program is part of our social responsibility, and we are proud to create opportunities for learning and development that give back to society.”

Mr Consuegra told the graduates that MACORP is committed to providing the best value to its clients and is continuously embarking on initiatives that build capacity and capability and challenged to graduates to strive for excellence in delivering service to customers.

Valedictorian Ricardo Robeiro shared how the program transformed his career:

“The expert instructors brought their knowledge and experience into the classroom, fostering a collaborative and supportive learning environment that helped us grow.”

In his remarks, Mr. Neilson Mc Kenzie, Human Resources Manager, highlighted the diversity of the group and the historic milestone they achieved as the first to receive free training under the Program. “By removing financial barriers, we are creating equal opportunities for individuals to thrive in their careers,” he said.

This year’s ceremony celebrated not only the achievements of the graduates but also MACORP’s commitment to providing opportunities for young people and nurturing local talent, supporting Guyana’s growth and development (MACORP press release)

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New West Cricket Club of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is set to tour Guyana for three 25-over matches beginning on Wednesday, January 29.

New West Cricket Club will open their tour against Trophy Stall Masters under lights at the Demerara Cricket Club, Queenstown, Georgetown.

Two days later they will collide with Guyana Police Force veterans at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, before meeting North Soesdyke Cricket team on February 2 at the famous GCC ground, Bourda, also in the capital city.

Captain Prakash Ganpat

According to captain and Canada-based Guyanese Prakash Ganpat, his boys are thrilled to be in South America and ready to compete.

He stated that New West Cricket Club was formed in 2014 by himself and his younger brother Adit Ganpat.

New West Cricket Club had tours of Florida (USA) twice in 2016 and 2023 with success and Prakash Ganpat is predicting some challenges in Guyana, but they are ready to compete.

He stated that the team has regularly participated in the Calgary’s various tournaments since it formation.

Prakash Ganpat mentioned that New West Cricket Club will continue to have future tours including Dallas and around Canada.

He took the opportunity to thank his fellow players for their commitment to be in Guyana.

He informed that the players all over 40, but confident they will produce some good performances.

Some reputable players in the host country will be representing their respective teams as well, while Deputy Commissioner of the Guyana Police Force Ravindradat Budram will also play.

The New West Cricket Club team reads: Prakash Ganpat (Captain), Brian Goodridge, Navin Bachan, Ranjeet Gaekwad, Adit Ganpat, Wasim Naqshbandi, Kiran Meduri, Deoraj Dalchand, Rajesh Khatri, Bhupen Savla, Raunaq Mathura, Trevor Defreitas and Vishnu Ramjeet.

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By Akeem Greene

akeem@newsroom.gy

Guyana Harpy Eagles, defending champions of the West Indies Four-Day Championship, would be buoyed that four out of seven matches this season will be at their ‘fortress,’ the National Stadium, Providence.

Their first test will be against Barbados Pride, the only other team to have won the championship in the era of the Professional Cricket League (PCL).

On history, it is a clash of heavyweights to the bowl off the 2025 season.

It will be a tough assignment for the visiting team, which is light on depth and experience. Since PCL’s commencement in 2014, the Harpy Eagles have been a formidable force at home in the Four-Day Championship.

Only five were lost in 31 matches hosted during this period; three were drawn, and one tied.

A winning record of just over 70% at home has undoubtedly helped them win seven of the nine titles in the era.

In the 2015 season, they won all of their five home matches, while in 2023, they won the two matches contested in Guyana.

With matches returning to Providence after none in 2024, Head Coach Ryan Hercules is optimistic that home conditions boost chances.

However, that confidence is metered as he reflected on the common saying, “Cricket is played on the day,” and they must be consistent in their areas to overcome Pride.

Tevin Imlach, Gudakesh Motie, and Kevin Sinclair’s experience is void in their ranks for this encounter, as the trio is in Pakistan with the senior team. Shamar Joseph is easing his way back from injury.

As such, Kemol Savory has been handed the captaincy for this match. This is a chance to impress for long-term aspirations, as Imlach is now the incumbent Test keeper.

While practice on Monday gave little hint about who could make the Harpy Eagles XI, it would seem that all-rounder Junior Sinclair is set to make his First-Class debut.

If he does play ahead of Richie Looknauth, it will be to bolster the spin and depart in his variation of off-spin from left-arm spinners Veerasammy Permaul and Antony Adams on a dry surface.

It will also add depth to the batting, as after Kemol Savory at five, there is not much batting experience besides Permaul, who has been a fighting force over the year.

Junior Sinclair could make his First-Class debut on Wednesday (PHOTO: News Room/Akeem Greene/January 27, 2025)

Then, the decision will be made whether to give the promising Thaddeus Lovell a debut or continue with Ronaldo Alimohamed, who played six out of the seven matches last season and scored a hundred in the practice match.

While his numbers with the bat last season were not overly impressive, Alimohamed helped with the ball and secured additional fast-bowling points.

Meanwhile, Pride’s current captain, Raymon Reifer, was on the receiving end of those defeats as he was part of the then-Guyana Jaguars team.

According to Reifer, Pride is disappointed that it didn’t win the title in 2024, but it is “hungry” to improve and will be brave against the Harpy Eagles’ expected heavy diet of spin.

Along with Reifer, Matthew Forde, who is active in the West Indies white-ball teams, and express pacer Chemar Holder, who has planned a lone Test and One-Day International, are the players with international experience.

However, they are also blessed with budding talents, including fearless batsman Kevin Wickham. Test selectee Zachary McCaskie also looks for a strong season to be recalled.

Coincidentally, the last team to defeat Harpy Eagles at Providence was Barbados Pride in March 2020, during the season curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pride (twice), Leeward Islands Hurricanes (twice), and Jamaica Scorpions (once) are the only teams to have defeated the Eagles at Providence in the PCL era.

Guyana Harpy Eagles Squad:  Kemol Savory (Captain), Matthew Nandu (Vice-Captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Raymond Perez, Kevlon Anderson, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Junior Sinclair, Veerasammy Permaul, Antony Adams, Nial Smith, Isai Thorne, Richie Looknauth and Thaddeus Lovell

Barbados Pride Squad: Raymon Reifer (captain), Leniko Boucher, Jonathan Drakes, Matthew Forde, Chaim Holder, Chemar Holder, Matthew Jones, Javed Leacock, Jair McAllister, Zachary McCaskie, Demetrius Richards, Ramon Simmonds, Kevin Wickham

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The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF) has commended the government’s injection of G$8 billion into sport in 2025. This is a significant increase from the previous year’s budgetary allocation of $4.6 billion in 2024.

The federation’s president, Gavin Singh, commended the investment, demonstrating the government’s commitment to developing sports nationwide.

He highlighted the potential impact on grassroots initiatives, amateur competitions, and professional platforms.

Below is the full statement issued by the Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation:

“The Guyana Mixed Martial Arts Federation (GYMMAF) wholeheartedly commends the Government of Guyana on its visionary allocation of G$8 billion to the sports sector in the 2025 National Budget, as announced by Senior Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Honourable Dr. Ashni Singh.

This increase in funding underscores the government’s unwavering dedication to transforming the sporting landscape in Guyana.

This historic investment is a bold step toward strengthening the foundation of sports development across the country. From grassroots initiatives to amateur competitions and professional platforms, this budget provides the resources necessary to advance local, regional, and international sports development.

GYMMAF is inspired by the Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., whose dynamic leadership continues to drive the expansion of sports infrastructure and opportunities.

We also extend our gratitude to Director of Sport, Mr. Steve Ninvalle, whose tireless efforts and strategic vision have created an environment where athletes from all disciplines can thrive. Their combined efforts have laid the groundwork for the continued growth of Guyana’s sporting community and elevated our nation’s presence on the international stage.

The increased funding presents an unparalleled opportunity to expand the reach of mixed martial arts (MMA) in Guyana, building on the momentum achieved in recent years.

With this allocation, we can further develop our grassroots programs to introduce MMA to communities across the country, enhance training facilities for our athletes, and provide the necessary resources for them to compete regionally and internationally.

Our vision is clear: to not only nurture local talent but also establish Guyana as a hub for MMA in the Caribbean and beyond. With the support of this transformative budget, we aim to host regional and international competitions, bringing global attention to our athletes while showcasing Guyana as a premier destination for sports tourism.

This historic investment allows us to reinforce our commitment to excellence and inclusivity while paving the way for long-term sustainability in sports development.

We remain steadfast in our efforts to strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders, enhance athlete development pathways, and ensure that every athlete, from aspiring youth to seasoned professionals, has access to the resources needed to excel.

The G$8 billion allocation is not just an investment in sports; it is an investment in the dreams and aspirations of every Guyanese athlete. It is a testament to the belief that sports can unite communities, empower individuals, and place Guyana firmly on the global map as a nation of excellence and resilience.

GYMMAF stands ready to play its part in this transformative journey and looks forward to collaborating with the government, corporate partners, and other sporting federations to create a legacy of success for all disciplines.

This is an exciting era for sports in Guyana, and together, we will build a future where our athletes continue to inspire, achieve, and thrive.”

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