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During the Annual Christmas Luncheon and Awards Ceremony of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Commissioner of Police Clifton Hicken announced rotation plans for the Guyana Police Force next year.

The Top Cop emphasised that the upcoming year would involve strengthening police capabilities while navigating election-related challenges.

“We are not going to transfer you, we are going to have you rotated as the case may be,” Hicken said as he explained the rotation system is a key component of capacity building.

“…so don’t ever take rotation wrongfully.

“…the regions you are in, you may not be in that region tomorrow or next year. Wherever you are sent to work, work and give it your best shot.

“As young men and women police coming up, we are not going to confine you forever in one area,” the Police Commissioner told the ranks and officers.

“Next year we will be doing police work and we will be fighting elections.

“Next year is expected that first of all we build capacity among the detectives, you will be more than you are now,” Hicken said.

Additionally, he revealed plans to implement diploma and degree programmes within the police force.

“At the constable, lance corporal level all the way up to assistant commissioner will be trained and so when that is so, we are no longer going to have a gap between a traffic rank, a detective or a general duty police – all of you are going to know equality,” he stated.

The Commissioner also reiterated the importance of creating an environment that fosters efficiency and capacity building, ensuring all officers are equipped to excel in their roles regardless of location or assignment.

Hicken also donated $500,000 to the department.

 

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The Mahaicony Magistrate’s Court, constructed inside the police station compound in the village, at a cost of more than $204M, opened on Monday, ending decades of struggles by residents to travel long distances for legal services.

Sittings will be held twice per week and will commence next Monday. Principal Magistrate Alan Wilson will be presiding.

Chancellor of the Judiciary Yonette Cummings-Edwards related the dire conditions that the Mahaicony court operated under for decades. Apart from the physical condition of the building, she said residents had to travel all the way to Vigilance court to access legal services.

“Vigilance is very far from here. It’s almost like going to Georgetown,” Cummings-Edwards observed, adding, “Police will file their cases there and that is where applications for domestic violence, applications for maintenance, applications for liquor and dance licence; all the necessary services that residents here need…have to be obtained from Vigilance….but now, with the advent of this facility, the legal services will be right here.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall reflected on the great transformation and upgrades that have taken place from the time he started his practice to now.

“We are far ahead of the Caribbean now when you compare what we are building to what obtains in the rest of the region,” he expressed.

Nandlall pointed out that the Government of Guyana has been commissioning one court after the next and that many more will be commissioned soon. Early in the first two weeks of 2025, courts will open at Mahdia and Mabaruma, and at several other locations across the country.

“Twenty years ago, commissioning an edifice of this type would be a huge event. Today, it’s quite normal,” he observed.

He reminded that for this year alone, the government commissioned a court for children at Wales, West Bank Demerara, which is the first of its kind outside of Georgetown. One at Port Kaituma has also been opened.

A multiplex court is also on the cards for Providence, East Bank Demerara, along with courts at Soesdyke, Parfaite Harmonie, and Tuschen.

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Cricket West Indies is pleased to announce the squad for the tour of Pakistan, which will feature two Test matches from January 17–29, 2025, at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

The series, which marks the final installment of the two-year World Test Championship cycle, will see the West Indies playing a Test series in Pakistan for the first time in 18 years.

A standout performer in recent months, left-handed batter Amir Jangoo, who made a stunning match-winning ODI century on debut against Bangladesh, has earned his first Test call-up.

Also returning to the squad is Gudakesh Motie, who was unavailable for the recent drawn series against Bangladesh.

Head Coach Andre Coley views the series as an opportunity to demonstrate continued development and evolution.

He stated: “For the Test series against Pakistan in January 2025, the focus is on building on what we have done well and transforming the learnings from 2024 into tangible results.”

Coley also welcomed the inclusion of Amir Jangoo and Gudakesh Motie, stating: “Motie rejoins the squad to bolster the spin attack, while Jangoo’s selection comes on the back of his consistency across formats in regional cricket, as well as his demonstrated high level of competency against spin bowling.”

Shamar Joseph will continue his rehabilitation from injury, while Alzarri Joseph will be unavailable due to other engagements.

The squad departs the Caribbean on January 2 and will arrive in Islamabad on January 6.

West Indies Test squad to Pakistan: Kraigg Brathwaite (Captain), Joshua Da Silva (Vice-Captain), Alick Athanaze, Keacy Carty, Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Tevin Imlach, Amir Jangoo, Mikyle Louis, Gudakesh Motie, Anderson Phillip, Kemar Roach, Kevin Sinclair, Jayden Seales and Jomel Warrican

Team Management Unit (TMU)

Head Coach: Andre Coley

Manager: Rawl Lewis

Assistant Coach (Bowling): James Franklin

Assistant Coach (Fielding): Rayon Griffith

Assistant Coach (Batting): James Adams

Physiotherapist: Denis Byam

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Ronald Rogers

Massage Therapist: Darc Browne

Analyst: Avenesh Seetaram

Media and Content Officer: Jerome Foster

West Indies Tour of Pakistan

Two-Day Warm-Up Match:  Friday January 10 -11, 2025, Rawalpindi

1^st Test: Friday January 17-21, 2025, Multan Cricket Stadium

2^nd Test: Saturday January 25-29, 2025, Multan Cricket Stadium

 

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Chase Academic Foundation of Guyana won the fifth KFC Goodwill International Football Championship after a tense penalty shootout victory over St. Benedict’s College of Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday evening at the Ministry of Education Ground.

The tense final ended goalless after extra time, leading to a dramatic shootout.

After nine rounds of penalties, Chase’s Academic Foundation goalkeeper Flavio La Rose saved the decisive spot-kick to secure an 8-7 victory.

The shootout saw numerous twists and turns. After the initial five penalties each, the score was tied 4-4, forcing sudden death.

Both sides converted several more penalties before La Rose’s heroics clinched the title for Chase Academy.

Raydon Krammer of Chase’s Academic Foundation was named Most Valuable Player and has earned a three-month training stint at Academia de Futebol Real Brasil.

The 18-year-old, who hails from Kamarang in Region Seven, is expected to depart in March for the full-funded training stint.

Raydon Krammer of Chase’s Academic Foundation was named Most Valuable Player

Chase’s Academic Foundation won the US$5,000 first prize, while St. Benedict’s took home US$3,000 for school projects.

Chase Academy’s victory completes an Under-18 treble for 2024, having already won the Milo and Republic Bank tournaments.

They also join Annai Secondary (2019) and D.C Cesar Fox Secondary (2022) as Guyanese winners of the ultimate regional school football title.

In the third-place play-off, 2023 champions Clarendon College of Jamaica defeated Annai 7-2.

Nicholy Forbes was a standout performer in the match, scoring two goals in the 25th and 52nd minutes.

The team also saw contributions from Patrick Page (9th minute), Terron Williams (22nd minute), Romario Thompson (72nd minute), Anthony Reid (86th minute), and Leckeem Mullings (89th minute), leading to a dominant victory.

For the opposing team, Adrian Cabral and Josh Glasgow scored in the 59th and 63rd minutes, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide of the match.

Clarendon College was awarded US$2,000, and Annai Secondary got US$1,000.

The other participating teams in the tournament were Trinidad’s Speyside Secondary,  D.C Cesar Fox Secondary and Dolphin Secondary of Guyana, and Suriname’s Henry Hassankhan Community High School.

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Like four of his brothers, James Williams was born deaf. The family did not know sign language and growing up, there weren’t many resources available to help them during their early school years. Communication has therefore been the biggest challenge for James, now 36.

With roots in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), James said he comes from a big family with eight siblings – three sisters and five brothers.

“We tried as best as we could to communicate whatever we wanted to say and figure out what others were trying to tell us through homemade and self-taught sign language,” James recalled, adding, “We did a lot of lip reading, and some things were basic common sense.”

Despite the challenges, though, he told the News Room in an interview on Saturday that he is a “proud deaf Guyanese” who has been working as a teacher’s assistant at the David Rose Special School in Georgetown for the past seven years.

As a teacher aide, James spends his time assisting students with their language development and interpreting or explaining lesson concepts in sign language. He also enjoys using his training to advocate for, encourage and inspire those in the deaf community.

James and other Guyanese in Trinidad recently

James is grateful that a lot of improvements have been made to support those who are deaf. Schools, he noted, now have teachers who are learning and using the correct sign language to teach learners who are deaf. “I know of teacher aides like myself who are deaf and are able to relate to children who are deaf,” he shared.

There is also the Deaf Association of Guyana (DAG) that helps to organise different activities for the deaf community. The Cyril Potter College of Education enrolled him and two other deaf teachers to receive the necessary training and qualifications to function better in the classroom.

James believes that more can be done in mainstream schools for the deaf such as having interpreters or teachers who are trained in sign language and deaf education. He opined that this will make it possible to enroll children who are deaf in mainstream schools for better and higher education which is not offered in special needs schools.

“I always encourage my friends who are deaf to keep working on improving themselves for the better, whether it is through education or whatever jobs or career they are in already,” he expressed.

James also attended a prestigious conference recently, which helped to expand his network.

James said he was honored to have the opportunity to be one of four deaf Guyanese invited to attend the SIGN10 training and conference in Trinidad and Tobago that was hosted by the Centre of Language Learning (CLL) at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine Campus in collaboration with the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

The training and conference, which took place earlier this month, fostered the diversity of deafness, sign languages, linguistic research, and advocacy for deaf populations through presentations and posters from Caribbean and international scholars on a global scale.

“As a deaf educator and interpreter myself, I am committed to ensure that deaf populations in Guyana continue to have full access to education; that communication is equitable through sign language(s), and that I can advocate for my deaf students and deaf community,” he said.

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“Salon is my whole life, that’s all I know, so being here is all that matters for me. At the end of the day when I do a service for a customer I just like that when they come and when they leave, they like how it looks.” – Shona Drakes 

Shona Drakes, a 37-year-old mother, is an ambitious woman who managed to push forward, surmounting challenges and becoming an inspiring entrepreneur.

Her journey started in her childhood, growing up in Georgetown.

“Growing up in Robb Street was fun, I could never say I had a bad childhood, my neighbours and everyone that grew up here, we had togetherness. On Sundays we would play cricket, go fishing, or go to the park.

“Some mornings we would even get up and go to the seawalls. We would even find out if our parents or neighbours needed anything and make a run to Bourda Market to get it,” Shona recounted during an interview with the News Room.

As a teenager, Shona would assist a salon, called Touch of Class, across the street from where she lived. There, she helped with hair braiding and later learned other styling techniques.

Little did she know that what she practised there would become a venture she immerses herself in every day.

Shona Drakes, the entrepreneur at her business

“I did a single parent and drop out course sponsored by (a government ministry). For me I wanted to be certified because I just gained the knowledge of it from looking at someone but I wanted to be properly certified. When I went there I learnt how to perm, cut, install wigs, braid (and how to) do pedicure and manicure.

“I had been in the business since I was a child so it wasn’t hard I just needed a bit more knowledge than I already had so it was easy for me,” the entrepreneur highlighted.

Shona now owns and operates a salon at Robb Street, Georgetown where she offers all of these services including laser liposuction and herbal hair growth oils.

Still, getting her business, Shona’s Body Contouring, off the ground was not an easy task.

It started at her residence and later, with assistance from her grandfather, she made some improvements to the environment to be more comfortable for herself and her clients. Eventually, she ventured out and rented at another location but it was too taxing on her business, so she returned to the original location and did some major upgrades to bring the salon to the standard that it is today.

It hasn’t been just smooth sailing since then, though.

The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly difficult for service- providers like Shona. The slowdown in business pushed Shona to work elsewhere to make ends meet. During that period, she worked as an ANSA McAL brand ambassador. Beyond her ‘9 to 5,’ the woman did what she could at her salon.

Some of her ANSA McAL earnings were reinvested into her salon business, allowing her to offer sound service to her clients every time.

That, perhaps, is why she is well-supported. As she spoke to the News Room, she was knee-deep in work for the holiday season. This, Shona said, is a hectic period.

“For the Christmas season that’s the most busy time, I think Christmas is what I love about this business because whatever you don’t get to do during the year you get to do during Christmas time.

“So January and February, it catches me in a good place but business don’t be busy in January and February so you just save back some of what you made during December and keep it,” she noted.

As she continues to improve her service, Shona is keen on being an innovative entrepreneur.

She said, “For me I am not a follower I am a leader, whatever I put my mind to no matter how long it takes I’m gonna do it. No matter the negative things that people might say I never let it get to me, I always keep it pushing and I hold to my beliefs.”

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Elijah Lall, a 25-year-old resident of Agricola, Georgetown, is wanted by the Police for discharging a loaded firearm on Saturday.

Police Headquarters said Lall and 24-year-old Keion Heyligar got into a spat after Lall was asked to move his motorcar, PAG 4004, from in front of a wash bay Keion operates.

Lall reportedly told Keion that he had to wait and Keion called him a slur in response. Police said Lall then rode away on a motorcycle and returned sometime after with a firearm.

He discharged three rounds in the direction of Keion, though the man remained unharmed.

Keion’s brother, Kemuel, reportedly saw what transpired and armed himself with a cutlass. Kemuel went after Lall, but Lall ran away.

Keion then went to the Ruimveldt Police Station, where a report was made.

Police said efforts to locate the suspect have been unsuccessful so far. The scene was processed, and no spent shell was found. Persons in the area were also questioned, and statements were taken. Investigations continue.

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As the business end of the inaugural Kashif and Shanghai/One Guyana National Futsal Championship draws nigh, the much-anticipated Round-of-16 will kick off on Monday night at the National Gymnasium with four potentially explosive matches.

Gold is Money, who trounced Touches 6-0 on Saturday night, will face off with Back Circle ‘B’ who got past California Square 5-2. They will collide from 20:00h.

Next up will be Team Cruel and Albouystown Ballers, the two advanced because of wins over Paradise Invaders and Agricola Ballers. They will take center court from 21:00h.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. amongst spectators watching the latest round of matches

One hour later, Bent Street and Stabroek ‘B’ will face off to advance to the quarter-finals with the final match of the night between the highly fancied Road Warriors from Region Nine and Ballers United.

On Saturday night fans witnessed some pulsating action in the eight matches that were served up. Two of the matches were brought forward owing to a citywide power outage on Thursday night.

Spaniards of Linden almost upset one of the well-known teams in the City- Bent Street- and it took a special strike off the boot of Colin Nelson, his second of the game, to separate the two sides and secure Bent Street’s place in the Round-of-16.

Jamaine Beckles had handed the early advantage to the victors in the fourth minute, with the Lindeners responding in like manner 10 minutes later through Tyric McAllister.

After the break, Spaniards jumped into the lead with a 21^st minute goal from Jashawn Moore but one minute later, Nelson blasted in his first and the equaliser at 2-2.

It seemed like the game was heading to extra time but that was not to be as Nelson from some distance out fired past goalkeeper Norbert Sansculotte much to the delight of the Bent Street players and fans. It was the perfect end to an exhilarating Round-of-32.

Another goal scored by Road Warriors in their impressive display against Victoria Eagles

But, the game of the night was the Road Warriors vs Victoria Eagles shindig which saw the Region Nine unit, which has displayed the best brand of futsal of all the teams to date, putting on a great show in their demolition of the Eagles, 8-3.

Road Warriors’ custodian from the start of the match played at will in the opponent’s half which showed little regard for the potency of the opposition.

This team has been the team to gain the most attention of the fans in their control and free-play style of futsal which is new to the seasoned teams in the city and elsewhere.

It will take some shrewd technical and tactical alterations by the other teams in their path in order to stop their march to the top prize of two million dollars.

Road Warriors were led by their captain Wendrecky Gois De Souza with a hat-trick in the third, seventh and 12^th minute.

Matheus Monteiro De Souza tucked in a brace (13^th and 21^st) with one each from Daniel Alves (ninth), Jaleei Alcindor (29^th), and an Own Goal in the 17^th minute.

Victoria Eagles got their goals from Sherwin Skeete with a double (14^th and 18^th) and Inceford Charles in the 24^th minute.

The tournament’s leading goal scorer, Beveney Marks of Back Circle ‘A’ was in destructive form in his team’s demolition of Vryheid’s Lust, 16-0.

Marks, who lashed in seven goals in their Round-of-64 match against Essequibo which they defeated 12-0 was again unstoppable.

He scored in the second, fifth, seventh, 15th, 24th, 25th, 27th, 28th, and 30th minutes.

Support, in the form of a hat-trick, came from Darren Benjamin (third, 22^nd and 29^th), a brace from Stephen Reynolds (24^th and 26^th) and one each from Cecil Jackman (first) and Stephan McLean (20^th).

Results from the other matches on Saturday night: Back Circle ‘B’ beat California Square 5-2.

Team Cruel got the better of Paradise Invaders 6-4; Ballers United of Berbice edged North Ruimveldt 3-2 and Albouystown Ballers were better on the night against Agricola Ballers, 5-2.

Meanwhile, the second set of Round-of-16 matches will be played at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Christmas night.

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The Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024 has reached a pivotal stage as four teams have officially advanced to the semi-finals, continuing their quest for championship glory.

Leading the charge are Guyana Defence Force A, Fruta Conquerors FC, Guyana Defence Force B and Police Force A, each proving their strength and resilience in the competition so far.

The excitement on the field was palpable during the quarter-final clashes. Fruta Conquerors FC showcased their tenacity with a 1-0 victory against Herstelling Raiders FC in a closely contested match. Their goal was scored by Fiona Gibbs.

In another nail-biting encounter, Anastasia Horsam of the Guyana Defence Force B netted a goal as they triumphed 1-0 over the Junior Lady Jags, solidifying their position as strong contenders for the title.

The tournament, which has brought together some of the best talents in local women’s football, has also provided a platform for players to share their voices.

Reflecting on the experience, many players expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete while emphasizing the need for continued investment in the women’s game.

Aliyah Christie of the Guyana Defence Force B shared, “We’re looking for furthermore sponsors to invest in women’s football (and) we’d like to thank NAMILCO and GBI for making this tournament possible.”

As anticipation builds for the semi-finals, the focus shifts to the rivalries ahead. With each team bringing unique strengths to the competition, fans are promised an exhilarating continuation of the tournament.

The semi-finals and finals of the Maid Marian Wheat Up Women’s Cup 2024 are scheduled to take place on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at the National Training Facility in Providence.

Fans are invited to witness the culmination of the tournament. (GFF Press Release)

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India will play their Champions Trophy 2025 matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The decision, though widely expected, was finalised after Mohsin Naqvi, the PCB chairman, met with Sheikh Nahyan Al Mubarak in Pakistan.

Sheikh Nahyan is a senior UAE minister and also the head of the Emirates Cricket Board.

“The PCB has picked the UAE as a neutral venue for the Champions Trophy,” PCB spokesperson Amir Mir said.

The Pakistan vs India league match will be played on February 23, a Sunday. Apart from Pakistan, the other two teams in India’s group are Bangladesh and New Zealand.

India will face Bangladesh on February 20, and New Zealand on March 2. All these games are likely to be held in Dubai.

Pakistan, the defending champions, will kick off the tournament on February 19, against New Zealand in Karachi.

Pakistan’s last league match, against Bangladesh, will be played in Rawalpindi on February 27.

The second group has Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa. The matches for both groups- apart from the India games- will be played across Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi.

The two semi-finals are scheduled for March 4 (without a reserve day) and March 5 (with a reserve day). The final on March 9 also has a reserve day.

The first semi-final, if India make it to that stage, will be played in the UAE. If India don’t qualify, the game will be held in Pakistan. The final is slotted for Lahore, with the provision of holding it in the UAE if India make it that far.

The hybrid model was finalised after the parties involved agreed that, in return, Pakistan’s matches at ICC events hosted by India till 2027 will also be at a neutral venue.

In all instances, knockout games such as the semi-final and the final will also be held at neutral venues.

The agreement begins with the Champions Trophy, and will apply to the 2025 women’s ODI World Cup in India, and the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

It will also apply to the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup, the first tournament of the next events cycle that has now been awarded to Pakistan. (ESPNcricinfo)

 

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