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…Kings clash with Jets, Royals face Raiders on opening night

The inaugural staging of the Linden Elite Basketball League will start with a double header feature tonight, August 12, as competitive basketball returns to the mining town featuring six elite teams. The tournament will be staged at the Retrieve Hard Court.
In the opening fixtures tonight, the Central Mackenzie Kings will come to grips with Amelia’s Ward Jets, beginning at 19:00h, while the second game pits the national club champions and number one ranked club, Victory Valley Royals, against the home side Retrieve Raiders, which tips off at 21:00h.
The six clubs which will be involved in this specially promoted competition, namely, Victory Valley ⁠Royals, Amelia’s Ward Jets, Retrieve Raiders, Block 22 Flames, Central Mackenzie Kings and making their debut, are ⁠Yankees.
Each club will face each other in the preliminary round play, after which the top four will advance to the semi-finals.

The playing nights after tonight’s opening matches are Friday-August 14, Saturday-August 15, Sunday-August 16, Monday-August 17, Tuesday-August 18, Wednesday-August 19, and Thursday-August 20. While the semi-final is scheduled for Friday, August 21, on Saturday, August 22, the final and third-place playoff games will be staged.
Teams will receive a champions’ trophy, and the second-place finishers also a trophy, a Most Valuable Player Award, a Best Scorer Award, a Best Defensive Player Award and Coach of the Tournament awards. Several cash incentives are also at stake for the top teams in this tournament, which will be played at the Retrieve Hard Court.
Further, Friday night’s double header will see Retrieve Raiders going against Central Mackenzie Kings at 19:00h, and the second match at 21:00h will see Vikings opposing Block 22 Flames.

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…Set to advance youth cricket development

The Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) officially launched the Essequibo Under-13 Inter-Academy Tournament on Monday, August 10, at the Joe Jagmohan Ground, Hampton Court, Essequibo, a missive from the body indicated.
The tournament was launched by ECB President Deleep Singh in the presence of players, coaches, and Board members.
The competition brings together Under-13 players drawn from cricket academies across Pomeroon, North Essequibo, South Essequibo, Wakenaam, Leguan, East Bank Essequibo and Bartica, providing an important developmental platform for 56 young cricketers.
The 35-over competition comprises four teams competing in seven matches, including the final. Matches will be played at the Reliance Community Ground, Affiance No. 1 Ground, and Joe Jagmohan Ground. The two leading teams will contest the championship final on Thursday at the Joe Jagmohan Ground, Hampton Court.

During his address, President Singh announced that the tournament will become an annual championship, giving Under-13 players across the county an opportunity to compete for the title each year.
He also reiterated that the South Essequibo Academy will be renamed in honour of the late Coach Forbes Daniels, in recognition of his immense contribution to the growth and development of cricket in Essequibo over several decades.
The tournament was established to provide young academy players with meaningful competitive match experience while strengthening their preparation for the upcoming Guyana Cricket Board Under-13 Inter-County Tournament.
Throughout the competition, players will have the opportunity to test their abilities against others within their age group, further develop their technical and tactical skills, build friendships with players from other academies, and gain valuable experience in a structured competitive environment.
The tournament also places emphasis on the players’ personal growth and development both on and off the field, with guidance being provided by competent and qualified coaches throughout the competition.
The Essequibo Under-13 Inter-Academy Tournament is an initiative of the Essequibo Cricket Board and assistance from the Guyana Cricket Board, with additional support and contributions from several individuals committed to the advancement of youth cricket in Essequibo.

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Heads of Judiciary from across the Caribbean have reaffirmed their confidence in the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), while expressing grave concern over the disclosure of what appear to be confidential internal communications among the Court’s judges.
The Heads of Judiciary of Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Guyana, the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement on Tuesday after taking note of recent public reports concerning internal correspondence and matters relating to the administration and functioning of the CCJ.
The judicial leaders said they would not comment on the merits of statements or allegations attributed to individual judges, nor on matters arising from the Court’s internal deliberative or administrative processes.
However, they said they were concerned about the breach of confidentiality that resulted in the disclosure of what appear to be internal communications.
The Heads of Judiciary emphasised the importance of the CCJ within the region’s judicial architecture, noting that for countries which have acceded to its appellate jurisdiction, the Court serves as the final court of appeal.
For most Caribbean Community (Caricom) states, the CCJ also exercises original jurisdiction in matters involving the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, which governs regional integration and the Caricom Single Market and Economy.
They said the Court’s authority, like that of all courts, depends on public confidence in the independence, impartiality, integrity and competence of its judges.
“We do not consider it appropriate to comment upon the merits of statements or allegations attributed to individual judges, nor upon matters arising within the internal deliberative or administrative processes of the Court,” the judicial heads said.
They nevertheless stressed that confidentiality within judicial institutions must be protected.
The statement comes one day after the Bar Council of the Bar Association of Guyana also raised concerns over reports of leaked internal correspondence among CCJ judges.
In a statement dated August 10, the Bar Council said the disclosure of confidential communications could undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
The Council said robust discussions among judges are expected as part of the judicial process, but argued that any unauthorised disclosure of internal correspondence would constitute a serious breach of confidence.
It said it was not taking a position on the substance of the matters contained in the leaked communications.
The Bar Council also addressed the role of the CCJ President, saying the Court’s leader should be given sufficient latitude to develop and implement a vision for the institution and establish principles governing its administration, while exercising that leadership in accordance with the CCJ’s Code of Judicial Conduct.

Confidence in CCJ
The regional Heads of Judiciary, meanwhile, reaffirmed their confidence in the CCJ as a “vital regional judicial institution” and in the commitment of its judges to the principles underpinning the administration of justice across the Caribbean.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to the independence of regional judiciaries, the institutional integrity of the CCJ and the importance of maintaining public trust and confidence in the courts.

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Housing Minister Collin Croal’s warning to enforcement officers and rangers that violations in communities must be identified and addressed immediately deserves firm support. The directive goes to the heart of a persistent weakness in public administration: enforcement that too often becomes reactive rather than preventive.
Effective enforcement requires vigilance, early intervention, and consistent action to prevent unlawful or hazardous activities from becoming established.
Croal’s concern that officers can enter communities, observe violations, and fail to report or act on them immediately raises an important question about the effectiveness of existing enforcement mechanisms. If officers and rangers are assigned to monitor specific areas, there must be clear expectations that emerging breaches will be identified, documented, and addressed without waiting for complaints, referrals, or instructions from the central office.
The issue of new squatting is particularly significant, as the Government has repeatedly made clear that new squatting will not be recognised. Yet new settlements continue to emerge. Such developments do not generally materialise overnight. The process of occupying land, clearing areas, constructing structures, and establishing communities presents opportunities for detection and intervention.
“If they go into the areas and they are not seeing these matters, then we have a problem,” Minister Croal stated.
That observation should not be limited to squatting, as the same principle applies to the obstruction of drains, the improper placement of construction materials and other items on roadways, and activities that interfere with public spaces or create hazards for residents.
Too often, enforcement agencies become active only after a situation has escalated, generated public complaints, or become sufficiently serious to demand attention. By that stage, intervention can be considerably more difficult. Structures may already have been erected, drains may have been blocked for extended periods, roadways may have become obstructed, and unlawful practices may have gained a degree of acceptance.
Such a pattern cannot be regarded as effective enforcement.
The responsibility therefore cannot rest solely with central authorities. Regional enforcement teams must have the authority, capacity, and expectation to act within their assigned jurisdictions. Dependence on the central office for every matter can create unnecessary delays and undermine the very purpose of having enforcement personnel deployed in communities.
Croal’s call for stronger collaboration with local authorities and community stakeholders is equally important. Local knowledge can help identify emerging violations before they become entrenched. However, community reporting should complement enforcement, not replace the responsibility of officers whose duties require regular monitoring and inspection.
The proposed digital reporting platform is a practical step towards improving accountability. The ability to immediately upload field reports, photographs and other evidence would allow senior management to have direct access to information from the ground. More importantly, it could reduce the delays associated with traditional reporting processes and provide a clearer record of what was observed, when it was reported, and what action followed.
The wider principle has already been articulated by Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall, who previously warned that enforcement agencies must “pull their socks up” or face consequences. Nandlall correctly pointed out that the existence of laws means little if the agencies responsible for enforcing them fail to discharge their statutory obligations.
The warning that consequences must apply not only to persons who violate the law, but also to agencies or officials who neglect their responsibilities is especially important. Accountability cannot be one-sided. Where enforcement personnel repeatedly encounter violations and fail to report or address them, there must be mechanisms to determine why action was not taken and who was responsible.
Taxpayers fund the institutions responsible for maintaining order, protecting public spaces, and enforcing the law. There must therefore be an expectation of performance, responsiveness, and accountability.
The enforcement warning should mark a shift towards a culture in which violations are detected early, reported promptly, and addressed decisively.
Proactive enforcement is ultimately more effective than waiting for problems to become crises. Enforcement must begin when a violation emerges, not when it becomes impossible to ignore.

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Guyana’s Under-19 Women suffered their second consecutive defeat in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Women’s Under-19 Championship yesterday, going down by 21 runs to Jamaica at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua.
Jamaica, after winning the toss and electing to bat, posted 103 before being dismissed in 19.4 overs. Sashane Ricketts top-scored with 22 from 31 balls, while Shamara Hall retired out for 13 from 22 deliveries.
Guyana’s bowlers shared the wickets, with Christina Jackson, Danellie Manns and Shenesa Thomas claiming two wickets apiece.
In reply, Guyana struggled against the Jamaican attack and were bowled out for 82 in 17.2 overs. Akeela Stephen offered some resistance with 18 from 16 balls, including three fours.

Neveah Webley led Jamaica’s bowling effort with three for 19, while Adanya Baugh and Ricketts claimed two wickets each.
The result leaves Guyana still searching for their first victory in the championship, following an opening-round washout and successive defeats.
At the same venue, Barbados Under-19 Women produced one of the outstanding batting displays of the tournament, crushing Leeward Islands Under-19 Women by 90 runs.
Opener Eboni Brathwaite blasted a remarkable 135 from just 76 balls, including 17 fours and seven sixes, as Barbados raced to 206 for two from their 20 overs. Zaniyah Bruce added 20 from 18 balls.

Leeward Islands managed 116 for three from their 20 overs, with Zara Skerritt making 37 from 55 balls and Innaka Wilson contributing 26 from 20.
At the Liberta Sports Club, Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-19 Women completed a commanding 10-wicket victory over the Windward Islands.
Windward Islands were bowled out for just 52 in 19.2 overs, with Jaeda Tyrell making 16 and Kaela George 12. Samara Ramnath was the chief destroyer with four for 10, while Brianna Harricharan took two for nine.
Trinidad and Tobago needed only 6.3 overs to reach 53 without loss, with Ramnath unbeaten on 27 from 22 balls and Amrita Ramtahal 18 from 18.
The fourth round continues today, with the Leeward Islands facing Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica meeting Barbados from 09:00h. Guyana will then take on the Windward Islands from 14:30h, hoping to finally get their campaign off the mark.

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…both countries share common interests in fighting organised crime, drug trafficking – Landau
…united against crime, drug trafficking

The United States (US) is set to provide US$2 million to Guyana to strengthen air domain awareness and unmanned aerial system capabilities, as Georgetown and Washington deepen security cooperation, with US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau saying the two countries share common interests in combating organised crime and drug trafficking.

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Tuesday witnessed the signing of an enhanced Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) intended to strengthen the existing Security Cooperation MoU between Guyana and the US.
The agreement was signed at the Office of the President by Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd and Landau, who is in Guyana as part of a regional visit to Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana from August 9 to 12.
According to the US Embassy in Guyana, the US$2 million initiative will support the development of Guyana’s capacity for air domain awareness and unmanned aerial systems.
In an interview on Tuesday evening, Landau said the security cooperation was driven by shared concerns over organised crime and drug trafficking.
“We have many common interests in fighting organised crime and stopping drug flows in this region,” Landau said.
He said the US and Guyana face similar security threats from organised criminal groups, making cooperation between the two countries important.
“This is a tricky neighbourhood, and the United States faces the same security threats from these organised criminal groups as does Guyana, and so it’s natural for us to want to work together,” he said.
Landau said the countries want to ensure that criminal groups and drug smugglers do not establish themselves in Guyana.
The latest agreement builds on a series of US-Guyana security initiatives. In March 2025, the two countries signed the original Security Cooperation MoU, establishing a framework for expanded collaboration.
In March 2026, during a visit by then-US Special Envoy Kristi Noem, Guyana and the US announced plans to collaborate on drone monitoring to strengthen surveillance of Guyana’s airspace and Exclusive Economic Zone.
In July 2026, the Guyana Defence Force and the Florida National Guard held a Subject Matter Expert Exchange focused on operational drone concepts, further advancing technical cooperation in the area.

Economic, infrastructure
Landau said the security agreement was one of two main areas discussed during his meeting with President Ali, the other being economic cooperation.
“I think the two areas that we focused on today [Tuesday] with President Ali are the economic area,” he said, adding that Guyana needs infrastructure to support further economic growth.
He pointed to Guyana’s energy resources and said the US wants to work with the country to leverage those resources for broader economic development.
“We want to see ports that allow goods to come in, roads that allow those goods to be transported throughout the country and the region,” Landau said.
He also identified housing and other infrastructure as areas where the two countries could cooperate.
Landau’s visit comes against the backdrop of growing US-Guyana economic engagement, including Washington’s recent announcement of a US$150 million investment linked to Guyana’s bauxite industry.
The investment includes an US$85.5 million equity contribution through the US Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment programme, alongside US$64.5 million in private-sector co-investment.
The funds are expected to support the acquisition and expansion of the First Bauxite mine in Guyana, the development of calcination facilities and a follow-on brown-fused alumina facility in the US.
Washington has described the project as part of efforts to establish a secure, vertically integrated supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite, a material used in defence and industrial applications.
Landau’s visit also follows discussions last month in Washington between US officials and a Guyanese Government delegation led by Senior Minister with responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh. Those discussions focused on opportunities for US Private Sector investment in Guyana, including mining, energy, agriculture, infrastructure, and housing.

“Booming” economy
During Tuesday evening’s interview, Landau described Guyana’s economy as “booming”, and said he believed the country was the fastest-growing in the world.
He said the US wanted to be part of Guyana’s future development and prosperity, while noting that discussions with President Ali covered projects and development across the country, including Berbice, Lethem and the Demerara region.
“I think together we can build stronger, safer, and more prosperous countries,” Landau said.
He also described Guyana as a key strategic partner for the US, pointing to its leadership role in CARICOM and the countries’ cooperation on several areas of mutual interest.
“We see Guyana as a key strategic partner,” Landau said, adding that Washington was eager to partner with Guyana and hoped to be part of the country’s “success story”.
Also present for Tuesday’s signing were US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot, Senior Minister Dr Ashni Singh, Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud, and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sharon Roopchand-Edwards.

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