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The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) is set to start a new tournament season with the MOO! Milk-sponsored National Under-12 Rapid Championship tourneys.

The championships will kick off the 2025 tournament season on Sunday, January 19, in the Oasis Room at the Guyana Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

The seven-round Rapid competition will be played in two categories- the Open and Girls section- with an expected participation of 40-plus children.

The tournament will be played in the Swiss format with a time control of 20 minutes, plus five-second increments after the first move is played.

“With MOO! Milk, once again, as the financial backbone and sponsor for this event, the competition is expected to feature new players ready to showcase their chess skills and vie for the coveted crowns,” the Chess Federation said in a release.

Reigning Under-12 Boys champion Jeremy Cole and Girls champion Kataleya Sam are both set to return to defend their titles.

Several strong contenders will be making their moves on the title holders in both categories.

“This event aims to provide enhanced opportunities for young chess players nationwide to flourish and advance, enabling greater participation in GCF-organised tournaments,” the Chess Federation added.

“The GCF has observed a significant rise in female participation in the National Under-12 tournament over time, leading to the establishment of a dedicated Girls’ category. The GCF extends its heartfelt thanks to DeSinco Trading, particularly their MOO! Milk brand, for their unwavering support of youth chess development in Guyana.”

The Federation would also like to thank the management of The Guyana Pegasus Hotel for graciously providing the venue for the tournament.

Interested persons can join the federation on guyanachess.gy. Information on the tournament is also available on the website.

Follow the Federation on Facebook, and Instagram, or visit the website to keep updated with chess activities.

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The Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League’s (CPL) combined digital and broadcast viewership has gone past the billion mark for the very first time.

The total combined viewership figure for 2024 was 1.13 billion, an increase of 32% from the 2023 figure.

The tournament has seen improved viewership in India, the Caribbean and USA as well as a significant increase across CPL’s social media channels.

These figures have further cemented the CPL’s position as one of the most watched cricket tournament’s around the world.

The tournament was seen around the world with key broadcasting deals in the Caribbean, India, Middle East, UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa and was streamed on the CPL’s YouTube and Facebook pages in all other territories.

The 2024 tournament saw 34 matches take place in six countries with games in Antigua, Barbados, Guyana, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Trinidad.

The 2024 winners were the St. Lucia Kings, who claimed their maiden CPL title at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.

Pete Russell, CPL’s CEO, said: “This is a huge moment for the CPL. Reaching a total viewership figure of over a billion has been a long term target for a number of years. To get to a figure of 1.13 billion highlights the appeal of CPL across the Caribbean and around the world. The continued growth in interest in the CPL is extremely pleasing and we are looking forward to using these amazing result as a springboard for further success in 2025 and beyond.” (CPL)

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Following a highly competitive Inter-Association Under-15 competition last November, the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) has named a strong squad to compete in the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board’s Inter-County 50-over tournament.

The squad will be led by left-arm spinner Brandon Henry, who was at the helm of Georgetown who played unbeaten to win the Inter-Association title.

SQUAD: Brandon Henry (Captain), Patrice Fraser (Vice-captain), Khush Seegobin, Lomar Seecharran, Nathan Bishop, Reyaz Latif, Makai Dowlin, Shahid Ramzan, Vinesh Kalpoo, Akeem Persaud, Afraz Khan, Joshua Bollers, Joshua Collette and Thierry Davis.

The DCB selectors have also named five stand-by players: Jermaine Grovesnor, Somesh Boyer, Sourav Persaud, Joshua Williams and Mickel Johnson.

Additionally, the DCB has put forward five players to be considered for the Select XI squad for the Inter-County tournament.

They are Satindra Shiwdarsan, Jasani Craig, Junia Dindyal, Jagdesh Kalpoo and Iaish Anderson.

In preparation for the Inter-County competition, the Demerara team will face an East Coast Under-17 squad on Sunday (January 19) at the LBI ground, East Coast Demerara, starting at 09:30h.

The East Coast XI will come from: Arun Gainda (Captain), Marcel Nandu (Vice-captain), Munesh Outar, Nicholas Simon, Johnathan Vieira, Yannick Newton, Ruel Dindyal, Nicholas Boyer, Satindra Shiwdarsan, Nicholas Rukhdeo, Tyrell King, Antonio Chan, Navindra Isurdeen, Kyle Gibson, Akeem Persaud and Devendra Ramkarran.

The DCB said in a release: “This match will serve as an excellent platform for these young players to showcase their talent and sharpen their skills ahead of a very tough assignment.”

“This encounter is poised to deliver an exciting game as the East Coast U-17 team brings experience and talent, while the Demerara U-15 squad aims to rise to the challenge. Cricket fans are invited to witness this display of skill that will be on show by these young men.”

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The government has received five proposals to operate the Karouni Mine, which Troy Resources previously managed.

In October 2023, the government announced the termination of its agreement with the Australian company – Troy Resources and revoked its mining license in the country.

“We have been engaging a number of investors, and I want to say that yes, we have five proposals submitted by local and international companies that we are currently reviewing,” Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat recently revealed at a press conference.

He added that a decision regarding the proposals would be made soon and expressed satisfaction with the level of interest shown in the Karouni mines.

“There is a genuine interest in [Karouni] and we as a government are pleased that there is an interest because our intention is to have it restart as early as possible.

“The AG office is completing the process of total acquisition but at some point in time soon we will make a decision with regards to the proposals that we would have received,” Bharrat stated.

The decision to terminate the agreement with Troy Resources was due to payment of outstanding royalties and rental fees; non-compliance with the agreed work programme and issues related to environmental management

In August 2023, Troy Resources announced it would cease its operations in Guyana, but the company did not provide an exit plan to the state.

Troy Resources faced significant challenges in October 2019 after a geologist tragically died in a mining cave collapse. This incident led to the mine’s closure for investigation and the subsequent layoff of hundreds of workers.

In November 2022, Troy Resources announced plans to resume gold mining and production by the fourth quarter of 2023. However, these plans did not materialize.

Since its shutdown in 2023, the site has remained under state care and management.

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Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat earlier this week highlighted ongoing efforts to tackle illegal mining activities, particularly cases involving small miners encroaching on other stakeholders’ properties.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Bharrat also revealed measures to ensure small miners can access land independently. This, he said, has reduced illegal mining activities.

Minister Bharrat explained that small miners would actually go onto other stakeholders’ lands and conduct mining activities, which the ministry terms raiding. In some instances, the property owners grant permission to these miners, but without proper agreements.

“….and when that small miner finds gold, then those persons are evicted or they are put off the land,” Bharrat said.

To address these issues, Bharrat noted the establishment of lottery systems in Region One, Bartica, and Mahdia over the past three to four years.

“Over the last three years, I can say safely over 1000 small Guyanese miners now have access so we have seen a significant reduction in raiding or small miners going on other properties,” the minister said.

However, another challenge has been managing the overwhelming number of claims, with over 18,000 claims requiring verification.

“Previously, once a miner staked a claim, put up a board with their claim name and date, and submitted an application to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), they could start mining immediately—even before verification. This created a significant backlog of unverified claims,” Minister Bharrat explained.

Over the years, the ministry has worked to reduce this backlog, now down to approximately 2,000 unverified claims.

“We’ve introduced a system where, when a miner stakes a claim and submits an application, we commit to verifying it within a month or six weeks. Once verified and there are no encumbrances, the claimed license is issued, allowing mining to begin.”

These changes aim to reduce raiding and create better arrangements in mining regions.

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Citizens Bank Guyana Inc., a 51 per cent subsidiary of Banks DIH Limited, recorded an after-tax profit of $2.244 billion in 2024, up from $1.946 billion in 2023—an increase of $298 million or 15.3 per cent.

These results underscore Citizens Bank’s strong performance and continued growth in 2024.

The profit before tax rose by $500 million or 15.3%, reaching $3.764 billion compared to $3.246 billion the previous year. This was revealed in the Banks DIH’s 2024 financial report, titled “The Journey to Success.”

The report revealed that the bank also generated revenue of $7.065 billion, reflecting a significant growth of $1.466 billion or 26.18% compared to the $5.599 billion recorded in 2023. Net interest income stood at $5.515 billion.

Earnings per share were reported at $37.71, while the total asset base expanded to $130.6 billion. Loan assets increased by 15.6% or $8.1 billion, rising from $52.0 billion to $60.1 billion.

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The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Referee Department celebrated a year of stellar performances and achievements in football officiating during its annual Referee Awards Ceremony, recently held at the Marriott Hotel.

The event was held as an opportunity to honour the achievements of referees who have contributed significantly to the development of football across the nation.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Special Awards.

Shavin Greene was honoured with the Dianne Ferreira-James Award as Referee of the Year 2024.

Brandon Cyrus received the Dianne Ferreira-James Award for Assistant Referee of the Year 2024, while Micah Erskine and Safiya Goulding were named Most Improved Referee of 2024 and Most Improved Assistant Referee of 2024, respectively.

A special recognition was given to Kleon Lindey for his decade of service as a FIFA Assistant Referee, underscoring his immense contributions to the sport.

Adding to the night’s significance was the presentation of FIFA Badges to several distinguished referees.

Shavin Greene was officially recognised as a FIFA Referee, while Kleon Lindey, Denisha Isaacs, Clenton Daniel and Brandon Cyrus were awarded FIFA Assistant Referee badges.

Meanwhile, Colin Abel received his FIFA FUTSAL Referee badge, marking another milestone in Guyana’s growing presence in global football officiating.

Natasha Lewis was also presented with an award for being the Referee Instructor of the Year.

During the ceremony, the GFF Head of Referees, Lenval Peart, reflected on the progress made in 2024 and the dedication of the awardees.

“Our referees are the backbone of football, ensuring fair play and maintaining the integrity of the game. This we’re going to be focusing on expanding our referee recruitment drive to all regions in Guyana. In addition, we will be placing more emphasis on referee recruitment for futsal.”

He added,” Last year was definitely a year to be proud of. From expanding our referee pool to introducing Guyana’s first female referee course, we are proud to be setting new standards in the region. Tonight, we celebrate their contributions, and we look forward to even greater accomplishments in 2025.”

One of the most notable achievements he said, was the expansion of the referee pool through a recruitment drive that brought in 12 new officials, including four women, from Region Four.

This effort demonstrated the department’s commitment to diversifying football officiating and ensuring greater representation across Guyana.

Another key accomplishment was Natasha Lewis’ participation in the FIFA MA Instructor Course held in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

She joined an elite group of instructors from across the region, gaining invaluable experience and showcasing Guyana’s growing prominence in football officiating.

This opportunity was a testament to both her personal dedication and the Federation’s efforts to create pathways for local referees to excel at an international level.

The introduction of Guyana’s first-ever female referee course was a groundbreaking milestone for the Referee Department in 2024.

The initiative, which was only the second of its kind in the Caribbean, was recognised by CONCACAF as a model for what referee development programmes should strive to achieve.

The course underscored the department’s focus on increasing gender diversity within football officiating and empowering women to take on leadership roles in the sport.

In August, the FIFA MA Referee Course brought further recognition to the Federation’s efforts.

From this programme, two individual- a referee and an instructor- were selected to attend the FIFA Referee Academy in 2025.

This achievement highlighted the quality of training offered by the Federation and the growing reputation of Guyanese referees on the global stage.

Additionally, Brandon Cyrus and Safia Golding represented Guyana at the CFU U-14 Boys’ Challenge Series, officiating key matches, including the semi-finals and the final.

Their performances were lauded as exemplary and a reflection of the Federation’s commitment to developing world-class referees.

During his address, the GFF Third Vice-President Dion Inniss commended the referees for their dedication to upholding fairness and integrity on the field.

Reflecting on the history of the awards ceremony, he acknowledged its importance as a longstanding tradition and expressed his pride in its revival.

“Referees are the unsung heroes of football,” he remarked.

“Your commitment to ensuring that the game is played fairly and with integrity is invaluable.”

Looking ahead to 2025, the Referee Department outlined ambitious plans to expand recruitment efforts into underserved regions and to enhance training opportunities for both referees and instructors.

These initiatives are expected to address gaps in referee availability across the country and strengthen the overall quality of officiating.

Plans also include hosting additional FIFA courses to provide local referees with opportunities to further their skills and gain international exposure. (GFF)

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Eleven mining-related fatalities were recorded in 2024 and Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), Newell Dennison believes it is one too many.

“Unfortunately for 2024, we have had I think about 11 mine fatalities, not all of them were actually mine related but they were fatalities in the mining sector anyhow and that is way too much,” Dennison revealed at the Ministry of Natural Resources press conference on Tuesday.

Comparing 2024 to the previous year, Dennison noted that there were eight fatalities and emphasised the need for systematic efforts to address safety issues in the sector.

“It is something that we have to continue dealing with in a systematic manner, getting the message out there and providing the technical assistance required,” he said.

Adding: “It isn’t a case where we have not been promoting and running behind compliance for operations within the regulations, especially during weather challenges. When the rain comes, we know that’s a time we need to up our game,” Dennison stated.

In 2024, the GGMC conducted 2,671 compliance checks to inspect miners for infractions and ensure adherence to safety protocols.

GGMC Commissioner Newell Dennison

Additionally, the GGMC’s Mining and Training School conducted programmes focusing on mining safety.

Meanwhile, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat further expressed concern over the fatalities in the sector.

“This is a big concern of ours, I can tell you that for sure. Every single incident has been investigated by the GGMC in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, and as mentioned, one death is too many,” Bharrat said.

And so, the minister called for greater collaboration and support from miners and further called for shared responsibility in safe mining practices.

“Yes, GGMC will do all that we can within our powers, but we need the support and cooperation from miners too. For example, in 2024, there was an incident where miners were working at 1 am and a pit collapsed. In such cases, it’s also the miners’ responsibility to prioritise their own health and safety,” Bharrat explained.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat

The Minister also pointed to negligence and carelessness by some miners as contributing factors to the fatalities.

“There are instances where it is not only due to a lack of monitoring by GGMC but also carelessness and negligence by a few miners,” he said.

In 2025, Bharrat announced plans to enhance technical support and training for miners.

“GGMC will lend more technical support to miners and increase training efforts because we believe this is essential and critical. We need to stop the perception that miners can just find a pit, dig, and find gold. It must be done properly and safely,” he added.

Meanwhile, the News Room reported several mining accidents in 2024; in April, Stephen Mark Samuel, 47, of Karwap Mission, Pomeroon River, Region Two, died after a mining pit collapsed at Puruni Backdam, Region Seven.

Two months later in June, Leon Lyken, 27, of Zeelugt New Housing Scheme, East Bank Essequibo, lost his life in a pit collapse at Frenchman Backdam, Region Ten. A week after this accident, Donston Fraser, 35, died in a pit collapse in Region One.

Then in August 2024, Sherwayne Joseph, 26, and Imran Blake, 19, were trapped and died in a mining pit collapse at St. Elizabeth Backdam, Potaro, Region Eight.

In December, Oral Anthony Rouse, 46, of 58 Miles Mabura Road, died following a mining incident at Aramu Backdam along the Cuyuni River.

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In a sequence of events that unfolded under the cover of night on the East Coast of Demerara, two armed men were captured after a thrilling chase led by residents.

The suspects, believed to be involved in a criminal plot, were pursued and apprehended following a confrontation that left one suspect injured and a stash of firearms recovered at the scene.

The incident began late Tuesday night, when a 35-year-old contractor from Lusignan, East Coast Demerara, made a discovery as he was on his way to his workshop in Annandale.

Around 21:17 hrs, the contractor spotted a suspicious white wagon parked nearby, its presence raising immediate concern. Recognising the potential threat, he warned his workers, urging them to remain vigilant.

Shortly after, three men dressed in dark clothing and armed with cutlasses emerged from the vehicle and advanced toward the workshop.

However, their plans were quickly thwarted when they noticed two of the contractor’s workers nearby. In an apparent attempt to avoid confrontation, the suspects fled the scene, driving off at high speed.

The night took a more perilous turn around midnight, when the contractor again noticed four men riding two motorcycles around the village, each seemingly armed with firearms.

Alarmed, he alerted his neighbours, who promptly rallied together to pursue the suspects, determined to prevent any harm from coming to their community.

During the high-speed chase, one of the suspects, who was riding as a pillion passenger, brazenly aimed a shotgun at the contractor’s vehicle and fired, the pellets striking the front wheel and causing significant damage. Despite the danger, the pursuit continued.

The chase turned even more chaotic when the suspects began firing back at their pursuers. One of the pillion riders fell from his motorcycle, while a second pillion rider soon met the same fate, leaving the remaining motorcyclist to flee, abandoning his injured accomplice.

The residents, undeterred by the gunfire, managed to secure the scene and discovered a 12-gauge shotgun and a .22 Beretta pistol nearby, along with eight spent 9mm shells.

One of the suspects, later identified as 30-year-old Shawn Jones, a vendor from Turkeyen, was arrested at the scene. A second suspect, who had been shot during the encounter, was found with a suspected gunshot wound to his right abdomen.

Emergency medical personnel from the Melanie Fire Station were quick to respond, providing treatment before the injured man was transported to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he remains in serious condition under police guard.

The two recovered firearms — a 12-gauge shotgun and a .22 Beretta pistol with a partially defaced serial number — were carefully examined, secured, and logged for further analysis. In addition, gunshot residue tests were conducted on the suspects and the contractor to aid the ongoing investigation.

The police arrived at the scene shortly after 12:15 a.m. on January 15, with detectives and the Anti-Crime Patrol working swiftly to process the evidence and gather statements. The authorities have confirmed that the investigation is still ongoing, as they work to piece together the full details of the suspects’ intentions and the events that transpired that night.

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A 21-year-old Prison Officer, Joel Johnson, from Lot 1, Section ‘C’ Clonbrook, East Coast Demerara, was arrested on January 14 after being found in possession of 804 grams of cannabis.

He was charged with possession of narcotics for the purpose of trafficking, contrary to Section 5(1)(a)(i) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Control Act.

The incident unfolded at around 18:30 hrs when Johnson, who had been granted four days off, returned to his post at the Mazaruni Checkpoint/Scanning Area. Upon his arrival, he was subjected to a routine search. During the search, Johnson presented a green haversack, which, when opened, revealed eight Irish Spring soap boxes and two Colgate toothpaste boxes, all containing leaves, seeds, and stems suspected to be cannabis. The items were wrapped in transparent plastic.

The discovery led the fellow Prison Officer conducting the search to immediately arrest Johnson and inform the police. Officers from the Bartica Police Station responded promptly to the scene. After the suspected narcotics were handed over to the authorities, they were weighed, revealing a total of 804 grams of cannabis.

Johnson was taken to the Bartica Police Station, where he was formally charged. He appeared before Magistrate His Worship Mr. Teriq Mohamed at 09:20 hrs on Wednesday to answer the charge. Pleading guilty, Johnson was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $30, 000.

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