Windward Volcanoes edged a sloppy Guyana Harpy Eagles for a stunning come-from-behind victory in their opening match of the Regional Super50 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.
In pursuit of 275 for victory, the Volcanoes were 58-5 in 11.4 overs, and the writing was on the wall for a crushing defeat.
But it was not the case.
Battling the heavy dew, the Eagles dropped catches and made constant misfields, helping the Volcanoes recover to 139-6.
Shadrack Descarte and Dillon Douglas made a brilliant stand of 81.
Descrate was dismissed for 60 (7x4s:1×6) from 62, while the wicketkeeper-batsman, Douglas, in just his second List A, fell painstakingly short of a well-deserved century.
Douglas was crestfallen, run out for 90 (8x4s; 2x6s) from 100 balls, but his innings proved the pillar to a stunning victory.
Shadrack Descarte (left) and Dillon Douglas made a brilliant stand of 81
Nial Smith, who got the new ball moving, picked up 3-46 but could not complete his ten overs after leaving the field due to suspected cramps.
However, the bowlers chipped away at the score until the last over.
The Volcanoes became the first team to chase 250 or more at BLCA and defeated the Eagles for the first time at BLCA.
Half-centuries from skipper Tevin Imlach and Keemo Paul earlier led the late charge for the Eagles.
Imlach was unbeaten on 65 (5x4s; 1×6) from 67 balls, and Paul blasted his way to 54* (1×4; 6x6s) from 29 balls.
Tagnarine Chanderpaul (49 from 81 balls) and Matthew Nandu (34 from 61 balls) laid a solid foundation for the Eagles, while Kevlon Anderson brought some impetus with 42 (2x4s; 2x6s) from 39 balls.
Tevin Imlach (left) and Keemo Paul
Harpy Eagles secured two batting bonus points for scoring over 80 runs in the last ten overs and for a batsman batting six or lower who gets fifty under 40 balls.
In his post-match comments, Imlach stated, “We were a bit lackadaisical…after we got the first five wickets, we were a bit laid back.”
Eagles are back in action on Thursday against Combined Campuses and Colleges at UWI Spec from 09:00h.
See below the full release from the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha:
Tomorrow (Wednesday) the night sky will be illuminated by the lights of the majestic Diwali Motorcade as it leaves the Shri Krishna Mandir, C/Ville at 6:30PM for the LBI Community Center Ground for a fabulous cultural programme at 7:30PM.
On the occasion of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s 50th Anniversary, the motorcade will feature over 40 floats from across Guyana with hundreds of youth depicting the various manifestations of God. These exquisite creations will warm the hearts of the thousands who throng the roads to view the beautiful and iconic motorcade.
Guyana is the proud home of the Diwali Motorcade which is unifying and brings thousands of people from all walks of life together in a spirit of joy and fraternity.
Headlining the cultural programme at the LBI ground out of India is Nachiket Lele of Indian Idol Fame, Ben Parag and Vishale Samlall along with Bunty Singh, Suraj Singh, Rekha Ranglall, Sookrane Boodhoo, Elizabeth Wong of Guyana and Kaitlin Sultan of Trinidad and Tobago, with dances by Dharmic Nritya Sangh and Berbice Delights. They will be backed by music by the Shakti Strings Band.
Admission is free, no alcohol is allowed. Persons attending can also enjoy lots to eat and drink and Diwali shopping.
West Indies have named a 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England.
The series, which gets underway on October 31st at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, will be followed by a five-match T20I series.
The squad sees the return of Shimron Hetmyer, replacing Alick Athanaze.
Head coach Daren Sammy expressed his excitement about the series, stating, “Playing against England always provides a new challenge and reignites a rivalry that the players and the people of the Caribbean are eager for.”
The West Indies squad will be looking to build on their recent success against England and continue their development as a team.
Sewdat Persaud, an aquaculture farmer and businessman, grew up around his father’s modest fish farm. It was a venture his father made a living from, as he supplied locals with seafood.
Persaud, now the Secretary of the Aquaculture Cooperative Society, followed his father’s footsteps but expanded operations significantly, getting much more involved in the brackish- water shrimp business.
“After I took over, we expanded the farms and started by targeting local markets, later branching out to the diaspora,” Persaud explains.
Through persistent advocacy, the cooperative brought the sector’s potential to the attention of key government figures, including President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, and several ministers.
Brackish- water shrimp farming
These efforts paid off, he said, as government intervention has been pivotal in driving the sector’s growth.
Generally, aquaculture in East Berbice, specifically, has experienced remarkable growth over the past few years, transforming into a booming industry.
The number of fish ponds alone has surged from just 40 to over 150, a clear indicator of the thriving state of aquaculture in the region.
The revival of brackish-water shrimp farming, an industry that began over 40 years ago but had dwindled by 2020, is a huge part of the aquaculture sector’s expansion.
Farmer, Sewdat Persaud
In 2020, Persaud said monthly shrimp production had stagnated at around 30,000 to 35,000 kilogrammes.
However, the government intervention in 2021 breathed new life into the industry. Today, shrimp production exceeds 100,000 kilograms per month, a dramatic increase leading to profound economic benefits for farmers.
Persaud highlighted the change in his operation.
“I used to get 15-20 buckets per month. Now, I receive 45-60 buckets, sometimes valued up to $50,000 per bucket, though it’s currently around $40,000,” the farmer highlighted.
This sharp rise in production is largely driven by increasing demand from members of the diaspora, who now play a key role in the supply chain.
Brackish- water shrimp farming
The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), also played a crucial role in this resurgence. Though initial government support was necessary, many farmers now export to the diaspora independently.
The value of this sector isn’t unknown.
A total of 815,496 kilogrammes of shrimp were produced between January to November 2023. This was a 49 per cent increase compared to the 548,900 kilogrammes produced over the same period in 2022.
And in 2023, up to November, the shrimp raked in about $1.3 billion.
Aquaculture and brackish-water shrimp farming has been significant enough to encourage substantial investments in 2024.
In the first half of 2024, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Mid-year report, $157.2 million was spent to advance Guyana’s fishing sector. Included in that sum is an investment in 83 acres of ponds for the brackish-water shrimps.
In the second half of the year, the report noted that 205 acres of ponds will be established for both brackish-water shrimp and vannamei.
Additional ponds are expected to increase production.
The government is also investing in improving the infrastructure necessary to sustain shrimp farming. Drainage and irrigation have been prioritised, with major canal projects, such as the re-digging of the canal from Belvedere to Albion, ensuring better water management for shrimp farms.
Four new sluices have also been constructed to regulate water flow, and many farmers are benefiting from polytube irrigation, further optimising their operations.
Training has been another critical factor in the industry’s success. Through collaborations with the Fisheries Department and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), farmers have shifted from extensive to semi-intensive farming systems.
Wazim Baux, a farmer from Kilcoy Dam
Wazim Baux, a farmer from Kilcoy Dam, East Berbice, Corentyne attests to the impact of government intervention on his livelihood.
“Since the government intervention, we have more land, more harvesting space. We get new channels on the sea dam to bring in shrimp, so we can extend and employ more people. This has been very fruitful for us,’ he said.
Baux currently manages 16 acres of pond space, employs two workers, and is optimistic about the future of shrimp farming.
Like Persaud and Baux, other farmers across the ancient country are banking on the tiny animals for success.
More than 90 shrimp ponds have been established, benefiting over 40 farmers across various areas, including Kilcoy, Chesney, Albion and Fyrish.
It is believed that there remain untapped opportunities in areas such as Alness, Manchester, and Tarlogie where the local culture is less familiar with shrimp farming. Stakeholders are exploring how to get more persons involved in the aquaculture business.
For their part, Persaud and Baux are firm believers in the venture. They hope more Berbicians will capitalise on the ongoing expansion of the sector.
The second edition of the Vice President’s T20 Softball Cup returns on November 7 and will conclude on November 10 at the Police Sports Club, Eve Leary.
Regal Stationery & Computer Centre has been locked in as the event’s title sponsor this year, and it will pay over $3M in prizes.
Launched on Monday at the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO) on Woolford Avenue, Vice-President Dr Bharat Jagdeo noted that the tournament is an “enormous contribution to our country, to our community, and to our people.”
The Vice-President further elaborated that while many will be familiar with the successful “harder programmes” of the government in the areas of infrastructure, education, and health, enormous resources are also being invested in transforming the physical landscape of the country to make it more amenable to the development of sports, leisure, and entertainment.
To this end, Dr. Jagdeo highlighted the nationwide ground enhancement project and the building of international stadiums in various parts of the country.
The comprehensive approach to developing sport and leisure is not limited to facilities but also includes granting gear to communities and meaningful efforts to promote sport in the school curriculum.
“The growth of sport and culture are crucial to national well-being and the growth of the Guyanese society,” the Vice-President affirmed.
More so, the President of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League Inc., Ian John, related that softball is the grassroots of cricket and that it is important to keep such traditions alive to channel talents into more structured cricket.
Additionally, John Ramsingh, representing the title sponsor, revealed that in October 2025, the weekend after the conclusion of the Caribbean Premier League, there would be a grand Unification Softball Cup.
The Unification Cup is a fusion of the Vice President’s, Prime Minister’s, and President’s softball tournaments.
It offers a bigger purse as first prize and a car as the Most Valuable Player prize.
For this Vice-President’s Cup, the winning teams in the male category cop $500,000 in each category – Legends (Over-50), Masters (Over-40) and Open – while the runner-up pockets $200,000.
Each MVP will receive a motorbike.
The women will battle for $300,000 for first place and $100,000 for runner-up, and the MVP will own an electric bike.
With matches at grounds throughout the city, the women’s segment will commence on November 7, while the men’s start the day after.
Regal Stationery & Computer Centre has formed a women’s team and will compete in four categories.
The Kevin Sinclair Foundation has successfully completed a food hamper distribution drive in Sophia, Georgetown.
The initiative provided essential food items to numerous households in the area.
Foundation founder, West Indies all-rounder Kevin Sinclair, expressed his satisfaction with the programme and highlighted the importance of giving back to the community.
“It’s important to pay it forward and inspire a new generation,” he said.
The foundation received support from several local businesses, including Big B’s Restaurant, Cricket Zone USA, Genuine Auto Sales, Trophy Stall, Markie Construction Inc., VNet Communications, and Optimum Health Supplies.
This latest initiative follows the foundation’s recent distribution of over 300 school bags and supplies to children in Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has launched the CONCACAF ‘C’ Licensing Coach Training program, a vital step for coaches aspiring to manage teams in regional competitions.
The launch took place on Monday at the National Training Centre in Providence.
The C License is becoming a crucial requirement for Elite League clubs in Guyana, as it allows them to compete in tournaments like the Caribbean Shield.
GFF President Wayne Forde commended the participating coaches for their commitment to the programme.
“This signifies your dedication towards developing both junior and senior players,” he said.
The C License offers an internationally recognised standard, equipping coaches with the skills to conduct practical training sessions for diverse players and age groups.
It also focuses on youth development through the GFF’s Academy Training Centre network.
This programme marks the first time the GFF has required a registration fee, which Forde noted as a positive sign of commitment from the coaches.
He emphasised the importance of acquiring this license for clubs aiming for regional or international competition.
“The C License is now mandatory for clubs aspiring to compete beyond Guyana’s borders,” Forde explained.
“Elite League winners must comply with CONCACAF’s criteria to represent Guyana in tournaments like the Caribbean Shield. Non-compliance would render them ineligible.”
Over the next few days, experienced CONCACAF and GFF trainers will conduct the programme, incorporating both practical and classroom sessions.
The GFF has prioritised raising coaching standards since 2015, with the introduction of D Licenses resulting in over 120 certified coaches.
The launch of the C License program represents a step forward for local coaches and ensures compliance for Guyana’s Elite League clubs seeking international competition.
See below the full release from the Ministry of Public Works:
The Ministry of Public Works hereby informs members of the public that the Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed for critical maintenance work for a duration of 4 hours:
Commencing: 23:59 hrs (11:59 pm) on Tuesday 29th October 2024 Ending: 04:00 hrs (4:00 am) on Wednesday 30th October, 2024
This scheduled exercise is necessary to ensure that the Demerara Harbour Bridge continues to serve the function, of facilitating the seamless commute of customers between Regions 3 and 4. As we are all aware, the wear and tear that this critical piece of infrastructure has experienced over the years, and the fact that it has outlived its initial intended lifespan of 10 years, means that such exercises have become more frequent. This 4-hour time period was selected to ensure that there is as little disruption to the transit schedule as possible.
This brings into sharp focus, the necessity of the New Demerara River Bridge which is currently underway and is scheduled to be completed in March 2025. The bridge’s design will eliminate the need for retraction and will facilitate regular maintenance without major traffic disruptions.
The Ministry of Public Works apologises for any inconvenience that may be caused by this upcoming scheduled retraction and maintenance exercise, and reaffirms its commitment to modernising and transforming Guyana.
Shaheed Abdool Jahoor, his wife Rookmanie Nowrang, and their two young children are now homeless after a massive blaze destroyed the house they lived in and their belongings.
The fire swept through the family’s rental house in Adelphi, East Canje Berbice early Monday morning.
Jahoor’s day began like any other. He ended his night shift at Albion Estate and went home.
Soon enough, he was greet with an unpleasant sight. Smoke filled the sky and Jahoor said he brushed it off, thinking it was just a neighborr burning rubbish
The aftermath of the blaze
Later, he realised what was really unfolding.
What Jahoor saw left him speechless. Everything he had poured his hard work into was being consumed by a major fire blaze.
He lamented how he toiled to purchase each piece of furniture, every small appliance and every other belonging. And just like that, it was all gone.
The fire started at about 06:30 hrs. Jahoor’s wife and children had stayed the night at her mother’s home, a usual routine whenever Jahoor worked late.
They rushed back to find their home beyond saving, their memories and possessions reduced to smoldering remnants. Jahoor called the fire service, but the flames had already claimed everything.
Reflecting on his family’s tragic loss, a tearful Jahoor shared the details of their modest life.
The house they rented for the past five years didn’t have electricity, so they relied on a generator as needed. Despite these challenges, Jahoor took pride in what he could provide.
He described with a mixture of grief and disbelief what they had lost, “All meh bank card, $80,000 all burn up… like me na want food or so, it hurting me inside because if you check, is a new life me got to build back…”
Now, Jahoor’s thoughts are centered on his children and their future.
Despite his pain, his foremost concern is for his kids to ensure they can continue school, to create some semblance of normalcy amid the chaos. He is reaching out, hoping that with help, his family might find a way to rebuild.
Jahoor said anyone willing to help the family in their time of need can contact him at 604-2933.
The prolonged dry season has badly- affected residents of Mahdia and Campbelltown, Region Eight (Potaro – Siparuni).
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal led a team to the region on Monday and sought to find solutions to remedy the situation. The main solution, Croal told reporters, is that additional wells will be drilled.
“Traditionally, for Mahdia, their source of water has been the Salbora Creek and now with the changing weather pattern- the prolonged dry season- it’s sometimes posing challenges because that’s a natural flow.
A site in Salbora (Photo: News Room/ October 28, 2024)
“… as a result we have been seeking to drill additional wells in Mahdia and Campbelltown,” Croal said.
Because of the region’s geography, newly-drilled wells do not always provide sufficient water. Croal, nevertheless, said the authorities are focused on doing what they can to guarantee residents have a 24-hour supply of water.
Water concerns were among the issues raised by residents last month during an interaction with Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo a month ago.
Since then, various subject ministers have been engaging the residents to address all matters.
 and Dillon Douglas made a brilliant stand of 81.</p>
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Shadrack Descarte (left) and Dillon Douglas made a brilliant stand of 81 and Keemo Paul </p>
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Farmer, Sewdat Persaud 100vw, 2560px”><figcaption class=)
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The aftermath of the blaze</p>
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A site in Salbora (Photo: News Room/ October 28, 2024)