$50,000 one-off cash grant for all Guyanese living with disabilities
— President Ali announces, outlines further plans for programmes, policies for lifelong support
- President Ali commissions new Railway Courtyard, outlines plan for elevated tourist, cultural experience
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BLENDING history, wellness and cultural renewal, the Railway Courtyard located at Lamaha and High Streets is poised to become one of Georgetown’s most evocative public spaces.
This is according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who, on Wednesday, officially commissioned the courtyard and further revealed expansive plans to create an elevated tourist and cultural experience.
“In the coming days, we will see this courtyard transformed into a historic pre-independence walk. So, when you walk through the courtyard all the way to Sheriff Street, you will be walking through pre-independence history in story and in picture,” the President said while engaging stakeholders and sections of the media.
The project, he explained, is grounded in extensive studies, with almost three years of
research and almost 80,000 words examined.
The opposite side of the walkway will move visitors through modern nationhood, displaying the country’s post-independence strides.
Designed with families at its heart, the new courtyard developed in partnership with the King’s Foundation, the Office of the First Lady and several other government ministries is intended to be inclusive,
Government commissioned the newly- developed Railway Courtyard at Lamaha and High Streets, Kingston, an urban renewal project designed to showcase Guyana’s pre-independence history through story and picture, while creating a safe, inclusive recreational space for families (Delano Williams photos)
secure and urban-shaped for everyday life.
“It is designed specifically for families, children, women especially to have a safe environment,” President Ali said, placing emphasis on the role of public infrastructure in strengthening community well-being.
The courtyard will form part of a wider tourism pedestrian circuit envisioned for Georgetown which promises to be an uninterrupted cultural corridor winding from the Sea Wall to the city’s historic core.
“This will also be one of the main walking areas in the city, along with the Sea Wall for our tourists and then Water Street coming all the way around to the National Library going down Avenue of the Republic into South Road, all the way to the Botanical Garden. So, we are creating that entire walkway, working with the King’s Foundation,” the President said.
He disclosed further that the old transport and harbour area, adjacent to the courtyard, will also see major upgrades, creating spaces for craft shops by the first quarter of the new
year. Meanwhile, Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill, disclosed that the project was executed by small contractors which the ministry engaged and provided technical support.
“There was no big consortium that did this work; these were all small contractors, some of them doing work for the first time[with] technical support and expertise coming from the ministry to guide them along,” he said, while pointing out that the area, which was once a scrap yard, has now been transformed into a modern community-friendly space.
According to Edghill, this is among several facilities that will be built to bring to life an orange economy underpinned by a new wave of investments in culture, creativity and recreational spaces.
“Of recent the president has been emphasising the orange economy and this is one of those Georgetown-based facilities that will help to enhance what we envision for the orange economy, as promised in our 2025 manifesto,” the Minister said.
Back in September, President Ali had outlined a clearly defined strategy to restore Georgetown to the Garden City.
He had explained then that the wider vision for Georgetown set out in the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDs) will see 15 flagship demonstration projects being advanced.
These will include the highlighting of the City’s architectural history, constructing a walking trail along the city, which will lead to the historic transport building and train station, transforming it into a museum and training centre, as well as immediate works on the Stabroek waterfront and improvements to markets and shopping areas.
Over the past five years, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government has invested billions of dollars in infrastructure projects across the city, including upgrades to drainage systems, roads and public spaces, effectively stepping in where a cashstrapped Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GM&CC) failed.
— President Ali announces, outlines further plans for programmes, policies for lifelong support
PERSONS LIVING WITH DISABILITIES (PWDs) across Guyana will benefit from a one-off $50,000 cash grant before the end of this month, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has announced.
Addressing a special
we have also established the first Learning lab for persons living with disabilities. The Learning Lab provides a safe, equipped environment for skills development, digital literacy and inclusive education,” he said, while pointing
Christmas luncheon in observance of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on Wednesday, the Head of State disclosed that this payout will see an input of $41.4 billion in direct assistance to more than 27,000 vulnerable citizens.
“My government has been committed to the tasks of transforming our vision of an inclusive society into a tangible reality for all citizens, including our brothers and sisters living with disabilities,” the President said.
He noted that the country has laid a formidable foundation to protect the rights and the formal dignity of persons living with disabilities.
This is reflected in the introduction of new legislation and policies, building a society where inclusion is not an afterthought but a fundamental principle.
“Over the past five years,
out that such initiatives are guided by the National Policy on the Rights of People with Disabilities, and empowered by the National Commission on Disability.
Training for persons living with disabilities was expanded across all ten administrative regions, with more than 20 courses becoming accessible.
In addition to this, the government established a permanent disability reform, now allowing for lifelong public assistance, ensuring continuous financial support. Previously, persons with disabilities were required to reapply for benefits every six months.
“The PPP/C government introduced a one-time application for permanent disability until pensionable age. We introduced online education for permanent disability to improve accessibility. PWDS can now apply for permanent
disability benefits online, eliminating the need to physically visit offices and thereby reducing transportation costs and inconvenience.”
The government also developed the first-ever comprehensive database for children living with disabilities. This database allows for improved planning, monitoring and delivery of targeted services to support these children and their families.
President Ali further announced that every new government project will dedicate 10 per cent of space to supporting persons living with disabilities.
“Whether it’s a government compound with a car park, we must have 10 per cent easily convertible in the evening, where persons living with disability can enjoy the fruits of our collective labour as a people and as a nation,” the President said.
He further charged the local private sector to match the government’s policies, creating at least 5000 jobs for persons living with disabilities, urging both public and private institutions to dedicate 3.5 to 5 per cent of their facilities, making them more accessible and inclusive.
“I want us to target the next five years, at least 5000 jobs dedicated to persons living with disability. If in every single project we do, whether it's a community park, a community centre, a community field, a little park in your private sector organisation, a little lunchroom in your private sector organisation.
“In your boardroom, both public and private, if we dedicate between 3.5 and 5 per cent of the space to persons living with disability, we will completely create an environment that is conducive and dignified for every single person,” President Ali urged.
The new grant and other policies announced build on the government’s previously expanded support for persons living with disabilities through financial aid, education, em-
ployment and housing.
Monthly public assistance payments were raised to $22,000 and benefit over 40,000 recipients, including persons living with disabilities.
The government also distributed cash grants totalling $1.9 billion as part of social aid, including a specific $35,000 one-time grant for 25,000 registered persons living with disabilities, representing a total of $875 million in targeted support.
The government has established the Empower Guyana Centre, providing employment for 120 persons living with disabilities.
President Ali reiterated the government's commitment to creating an environment where persons with disabilities can fully participate in national life, urging for greater participation from the wider public for collective action and a vision for a unified, inclusive society.
By Indrawattie Natram
AT just 23 years old, Besham Mohabeer of Sparta, Essequibo Coast, is already making his mark in the field of education as the young educator was named Best Graduating Student of the Anna Regina Centre at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), an achievement that reflects both dedication and passion for teaching.
Mohabeer described his twoyear college experience as rewarding and memorable.
“My study at the college was smooth and fun, especially in terms of meeting new friends from all different backgrounds. The educational content was delivered well. Overall, I had a great two years at CPCE,” he shared.
He chose teaching in 2023 with a clear purpose in mind. Mohabeer said he always wanted to become the kind of teacher students feel comfortable learning from.
“I wanted to be the teacher I never had — not that I had bad teachers — but someone kids would actually be comfortable around and enjoy learning. I chose this career to contribute to society, as kids are the future,” he said.
Grateful for the support he received along the way, Mohabeer expressed heartfelt thanks
to his family, mentors, and classmates.
“I must say thanks to my parents — I love y’all — and the Almighty. Of course, my special person. A big thanks to the staff at the Anna Regina Centre, including HOC Miss Navita, DHOC Miss Humel, and Sir Terrence Suenandan, and all the lecturers who contributed to
By: Indrawattie Natram
ESSEQUIBO’S young talents made a remarkable impression at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha’s Kala Utsav 2025, held Sunday last at the Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra in Prashad Nagar.
More than 50 enthusiastic youths proudly represented the Essequibo Coast Praant, bringing grace, confidence, and cultural pride to the national stage.
my college journey,” Mohabeer shared,
He also extended appreciation to his colleagues who encouraged him through challenges. “A huge thank you to Khadeejah, Zahrah, Kumera, Onifa, Bhomena, the Info Tech Majors 2023–2025, and all the others too numerous to mention.”
To young people considering the teaching profession, Mohabeer offers simple but meaningful advice: “Once you lo ve kids, you’ll love teaching!”
With a passion for education and a commitment to shaping the next generation, Besham Mohabeer stands as a positive example of leadership, humility, and hope on the Essequibo Coast.
This year’s competition featured a rich blend of traditional performances, devotional music, and artistic expression. The Essequibo contingent excelled in multiple areas, securing top accolades and demonstrating their dedication to preserving and uplifting Hindu art forms.
Their achievements included Ramayan Chanting – 3rd Prize, Classical Dance – 1st Prize, Folk Dance – 1st Prize and Participants Prize Female Singing, Male Singing,Kirtan and Instrumental Music.
President of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, praised the regional participants for their effort and commitment.
She emphasised the importance of youth involvement in cultural heritage, noting that
Kala Utsav continues to serve as a stepping-stone for emerging talent.
“Kala Utsav has been the platform for many of Guyana’s outstanding singers we are celebrating youthful talent in the arts,” Dr. Persaud said.
TRAINING AND PREPARATION IN ESSEQUIBO
The Essequibo Coast Praant Dharmic Naujawan invested weeks of preparation to ensure a strong presence at this year’s Kala Utsav.
Participants trained at mandirs and community halls across the region, guided by experienced teachers, cultural instructors, and volunteers dedicated to Sanatan Dharma and performing arts.
Youth coordinators emphasised discipline, pronunciation, stage etiquette, and devotion — qualities essential to excelling in chanting, singing, dance, and instrumental categories. Parents also played a major role, ensuring consistent practice, and moral support.
Ravindra Deowattie, director and choreographer of the dances said he spend alot of hours with the dancers ensuring that they master their movements. He said that Essequibo always capture the moments for the Folk Dance.
One performer Bomeka Singh expressed that the training itself was a rewarding experience, helping them build confidence, teamwork, and a deeper appreciation for Hindu culture.
High Commissioner of India to Guyana, Dr. Amit Telang, congratulated all participants and commended the Sabha for sustaining a platform that connects younger generations to their ancestral roots.
He noted that such cultural expressions strengthen ties between India and Guyana and emphasized the importance of continued investment in youth development through the arts.
The Essequibo Coast Praant has consistently shown exceptional dedication to cultural advancement, organizing training sessions, encouraging parental involvement, and ensuring youths receive exposure at national events.
The strong showing at Kala Utsav 2025 reflects the teamwork of tutors, organizers, parents, and the participants themselves, who continue to devote their time to practicing, performing, and preserving the rich heritage of Sanatan Dharma.
Many young performers expressed joy, pride, and a sense of achievement following the announcement of results.
Ushanna Takram , who was part of the winning Folk Dance group, said, “We practiced every day after school, but we wanted to make Essequibo proud. When they called our name for first prize, I felt happy because all our work paid off. I can’t wait to be back next year.”
Her words captured the spirit of the event — dedication, enthusiasm, and a drive to keep improving.
Kala Utsav 2025 not only highlighted talent, but also reaffirmed the role of culture in shaping discipline, confidence, and leadership among young people. For Essequibo’s participants, this year’s achievements stand as motivation to aim even higher in the coming years, as they continue to shine both on and off the stage.
IN the quiet village of Tempie on the West Coast of Berbice, 24-year-old Timothy Fausett is quietly revolutionising small-scale agriculture with bees, compost and a vision for a greener Guyana.
Fausett, a graduate of the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of not one, but two innovative enterprises, Compost Creations Inc. and Bee-
ing, he has developed a full line of by-products including honey shots, candles, soaps, and one of his best-sellers, honey wine.
Retailing at $3,000 per 350ml bottle, the honey wine has become a favourite among customers seeking natural, locally crafted products.
Beyond the buzz of beekeeping, Fausett is also leading a quiet composting revolution. Compost Creations
agriculturalists. They provide nutrients, yes — but they are not environmentally friendly. Compost Creations intends to change that by offering a self-sufficient, eco-friendlier product to organically nurture plants,” Fausett told the Guyana Chronicle.
According to Fausett, composting not only improves soil health and reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also has strong economic potential.
zone Learning Park, both of which are rooted in his passion for sustainability, food security, and environmental awareness.
From his 40 bee boxes nestled among mangroves and wildflowers in the backlands of Tempie, Fausett produces a distinctive amber-hued honey with rich floral undertones. But the honey is just the start.
Through careful innovation and small-batch process-
Inc., which operates two locations, offers eco-conscious solutions to Guyana’s organic waste problem by converting biodegradable materials into premium organic fertiliser.
His goal is to provide agriculturalists with a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilisers while helping individuals and businesses reduce their carbon footprint.
“A major problem being faced is the excessive use of artificial fertilisers by most
After graduating from GSA in 2022, he began further studies at the University of Guyana where he is pursuing a degree in Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Management.
Along the way, he became increasingly interested in composting and beekeeping — fields that he believes hold the key to a more sustainable future for Guyana.
His eco-educational ven-
tainability,” he shared.
Fausett’s work reflects a strong, values-driven commitment to environmental stewardship, youth empowerment, and innovation in agriculture. He envisions a future
age waste more responsibly.
Whether it’s bottling honey, brewing wine, or turning compost into life-giving soil, Timothy Fausett is proving that with a little creativity, a lot of passion, and a commitment
“It’s a way to create job opportunities and boost the local economy, while supporting sustainable agriculture,’ he said.
Fausett’s passion for agriculture is deeply personal.
ture, Beezone Learning Park, is the first of its kind in the area, a space where the public can learn about the role bees play in food security and biodiversity.
“I was inspired to start Beezone because of my deep passion for nature and my desire to educate others about the vital role bees play in sus-
where local farmers use organic fertilisers, children learn the importance of pollinators, and businesses man-
to the land, sustainable agriculture in Guyana isn’t just possible, it’s already happening.
PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan
Ali’s recent directives on the National Digitalisation Programme mark a decisive step towards modernising Guyana’s public sector and economy.
At a recent event, the President set concrete deadlines: The National Insurance Scheme (NIS) must be fully digitised within eight months, while all public service records are to be converted into digital form within five months.
These are not mere bureaucratic targets; they are foundational steps in transforming the way government operates.
Digitisation, the conversion of analogue information into digital form, is a prerequisite for the broader goal of digitalization; using technology to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and foster transparency. By mandating these deadlines, President Ali is signalling that the era of paper-heavy procedures and fragmented records must end.
Once implemented, a fully digitised Public Service will allow seamless information sharing across ministries, enable better cross-referencing of
skills, and improve service delivery for citizens who have long been frustrated by inefficiencies.
The President’s vision extends beyond government offices. He highlighted agri-digitisation, setting a four-month timeline for farmers to access real-time information, field education, weather updates, extension services, and technological support.
In a sector so critical to national food security and livelihoods, empowering farmers with digital tools can dramatically increase productivity and competitiveness.
Equally noteworthy is the planned launch of home-grown apps developed by Guyanese youth. These apps, designed to support public-service delivery and national priorities, showcase the country’s untapped technical talent, and demonstrate that innovation does not need to be imported, it can be nurtured locally.
Guyana’s push for a fully integrated digital economy aligns with broader global trends, where countries that embrace digital transformation are better positioned for growth, efficiency, and regional leadership.
For Guyana, digi -
talisation is more than convenience; it is a strategic imperative.
However, achieving these ambitious targets will require discipline, accountability, and collaboration. Ministries must adhere to deadlines, invest in training, and ensure that technology upgrades are accompanied by robust cybersecurity measures. Citizens must also be engaged, as the success of a digital public service hinges on accessibility and trust.
President Ali’s directives reflect the PPP/C Government’s 2025 Manifesto commitment to build a smarter, more con -
nected and inclusive Guyana. But political promises alone are not enough; execution is everything.
Guyana stands at a pivotal moment: the decisions and actions taken in the next few months will determine whether the country can truly leap into a digital era, or remain mired in outdated systems.
Time is short, but the path is clear. Digitisation is no longer optional; it is urgent, necessary, and transformative. The message from the President is unambiguous: Guyana’s digital future is arriving rapidly.
THREE years ago, the following Guyanese individuals and organisations wrote President Ali demanding Guyana immediately stop oil production because of its destructive climate effect. This letter was sent at the end of 2022 exactly three years ago.
Here are two lines from that letter which is boldly highlighted: “We cannot support government’s policy to produce oil and gas when every ton of greenhouse gas pollution causes loss of life in African countries….” Below are the signatures.
Vanda Radzik
Alissa Trotz
Vidyaratha Kissoon
Karen de Souza
Pauline Melville
Christine Samwaroo
Danuta Radzik
Maya Trotz
Susan Collymore
Joy Marcus
Halima Khan
Vanessa Ross
Wintress White
Gary Girdhari
Nicole Cole
Abbyssinian Carto
Nigel Westmaas
Joan McDonald
Duane de Freitas
Akola Thompson
Joan Cambridge
Immaculata Casimero
Terry Roopnaraine
Colin Klautky
Earl John
Janette Bulkan
Sandy de Freitas
Sherlina Nageer
Jocelyn Dow
Elizabeth DeaneHughes
Mosa Telford
Suraiya Ismail
Leila Jagdeo
Gerald Perreira
Romario Hastings
Paulette Allicock
Daniel Allicock
Isabelle de Caires
Luke Daniels Red Thread
Amerindian Peoples Association
South Rupununi District Council
The Breadfruit Collective
Makushi Research Unit
Of those signatures, here is the status of some of them:
1 – Dr. Janet Bulkan serves the University of British Columbia.
2- Dr. Alissa Trotz serves the University of Toronto
3- Dr. Nigel Westmass serves Hamilton College in New York
4- Dr. Maya Trots serves the University of South Florida
5 - Isabelle DeCaires lives in her homeland of the UK where her son plays cricket in the country championship for Middlesex.
6 – Abyssinian Carto is of Rastafari orientation and lives in New York.
7- Dr. Cary Gildarie lives in New York.
8 – Terry Roopnaraine lives in his homeland of the UK.
9 – Pauline Melville moved to the UK since the early 1950s.
10 – Christina Samaroo moved to New York in 2008
11 – Luke Daniels lives in the UK
Two of those signatures are Danuta Radzik Veira of the famous Veira landed bourgeoisie and Sherlina Nageer. Someone recently asked these two persons to explain why only the African race was named in relation to the harmful effects of greenhouse emissions. These two ladies told the questioner that they can’t recall it. I don’t know what they meant by “it”
and the questioner did not explain what “it” meant. So “it” could be either the letter itself or the part where only the African race was mentioned. So, if “it” means the letter it is impossible to believe Nageer and Radzik-Veira.
You cannot recall an important letter you and 43 other signatures penned to the President of your country on the valued industry of oil production. And this was just three years ago. I refuse to believe that. But I cannot accuse them of lying because I don’t know what they meant by “it” Alternatively, “it” could mean the reference to African people only. Now I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt if they could not remember referring to African people only.
But the logical reaction should have been that they would look at the letter to see that part that referenced African people only.
But I doubt that they did that because I believe they knew full well what they wrote to the President. The decent, moral thing to do was to acknowledge it was a mistake to state that greenhouse effects kill African people rather than just simply stating the truth – the effects harm mankind in general.
Now what kind of anti-government critics we have in this country. A simple apology would have done it.
Simply state that the word “African countries” crept into the passage by mistake and it was not intended to name a specific
race only. To date, none of the 45 signatures have apologised and simply refuse to apologise.
These are the very people that use their voice and pen in a daily condemnation of the government since the Ali presidency came into being in August 2020. What is worse is that none of their non-political colleagues have published even a paragraph expressing discomfort to their reference to race in their climate change advocacy.
Think of the emotional rant we will see from these same folks if a minister of the government announced that a certain insecticide will be banned from Guyana because it was found out that it was harmful and likely to kill Indian people in Guyana,
Bangladesh, India and other countries. The insane outpouring from anti-government critics would have been instant.
You could predict the rhetoric – the PPP/C government is racist because it chose to name countries where Indian people live. The world knows greenhouse emissions harm humans wherever they live. Why not state humans in general? Why mention only African people? The Freudian slip came out.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
GUYANA has achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) completed the Caribbean’s first chain kidney transplant, involving four donor–recipient pairs and eight surgeries over four days.
The achievement places Guyana at the forefront of regional
transplant medicine, marking a new era for advanced, life-saving healthcare within the Caribbean community.
A chain transplant, also called a paired-exchange chain, allows someone who wants to donate a kidney to a loved one but is medically incompatible to instead donate to another patient in the chain. In return, their loved one receives a compatible kidney from someone else in the chain.
This creates a loop of donors and recipients, maximising the number of successful
transplants.
This chain transplant is the first of its kind in the Caribbean. Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony pledged that “Guyana will continue to be at the forefront of transplants.”
With kidney disease on the rise globally and in Guyana, GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer, Robbie Rambarran, said that from 2023 to date, 2,200 kidney patients have been registered at GPHC’s nephrology unit.
He also said that there are currently 316 Guyanese receiving dialysis treatment, with 246 of them having started treatment this year alone.
“Every successful transplant is a second chance at life and freedom from dialysis, restored health, and renewed hope for families,” Rambarran said.
Rambarran commended the staff at GPHC for their dedication and for making the historic accomplishment possible.
“Your work is truly extraordinary and a testament to our commitment to providing world-class healthcare services,” the CEO stated, noting that expanding transplant capacity has reduced waiting times and broadened access for underserved communities.
Lead transplant surgeon Dr Kishore Persaud highlighted the complexity of the four-pair chain procedure, which relied on advanced virtual cross-matching techniques to match each donor with a compatible recipient.
“These surgeries were performed entirely by the doctors and staff of GPHC. We have proven that our own can lead the way in the Caribbean,” Dr Persaud emphasised.
Guyana now leads the region with 13 transplants completed in 2025, surpassing countries such as Antigua, Barbados, The Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministry of Health stated that the milestone is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen transplant services, expand access to specialised care, and introduce deceased-donor transplantation, which is expected to save hundreds of lives and alleviate the pressure on dialysis services.
GPHC reaffirmed its mission to deliver cutting-edge care, comprehensive patient support, and continued medical innovation for the benefit of all Guyanese. [ Story and Photos from DPI]
THE Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Wednesday formally opened the 28th Regional Meeting of Military Exchange, deepening longstanding defence and security cooperation with Brazil at a time of heightened regional attention on cross-border stability.
The engagement, underway at the World Trade Center Georgetown, brings together senior officials of the GDF and the Brazilian Army to review ongoing joint initiatives, set new operational priorities, and reinforce the bilateral framework that governs defence collaboration between the two neighbours.
This year’s exchange is being chaired by Guyana, and led by Lieutenant Colonel Dominic Shepherd, Commander of the GDF’s 3rd Infantry Battalion. Brazil’s delegation is headed by Brigadier-General Roberto Pereira Angrizani, Commander of the 1st Jungle Infantry Brigade in Boa Vista.
Positioned as a critical mechanism for advancing military-to-military cooperation, the annual meeting alternates between the two
countries, and focuses heavily on operational interoperability, border management, coordinated patrols, and intelligence sharing.
Declaring the meeting open, Acting Chief of Defence Staff Colonel Kenlloyd Roberts urged both delegations to maintain a disciplined, outcome-oriented approach.
He stressed that the deliberations must yield “practical, measurable, and directly supportive” improvements to readiness and effectiveness across shared
areas of responsibility.
Brazil’s Brigadier-General Angrizani echoed this sentiment, commending the results of recent joint activities along the Guyana–Brazil frontier.
He highlighted the “tangible impact of coordinated patrols in combating transnational crime, illegal mining, and illicit gold smuggling”, noting that such efforts have strengthened security for remote communities while reducing cross-border threats.
Angrizani reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to the
partnership, emphasising the interconnected nature of regional security, and the need for sustained collaboration at all levels.
The meeting concludes tomorrow, when both sides are expected to assess ongoing projects, examine emerging security challenges, and outline new opportunities for expanded cooperation between the GDF and the Brazilian Army.
GUYANA’S push toward a more inclusive healthcare system has gained significant momentum, with the Ministry of Health reporting major improvements in services for persons living with disabilities.
Speaking at Wednesday’s launch of the National Commission on Disability’s new Strategic Plan, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony said the government’s recent oneoff cash grant and health care vouchers are just one part of a broader, long-
term effort to strengthen access, expand specialised care and ensure that support reaches those who need it most.
In addition to this, the one-off cash grant for persons with disabilities has drawn national attention; it is only the latest milestone in a series of efforts to expand access, support and specialised care.
He explained that one of the major areas of progress has been mobility support, which the ministry has strengthened its distribution of wheelchairs,
walkers and other assistive devices.
“Those who have mobility challenges, over the last few years or so, we've probably been able to get help and assist people with wheelchairs... We probably would have received more than 4,000 wheelchairs that we would have given to persons. And this has helped to change their lives," he said.
Access to prosthetics has also been expanded, with the ministry removing a major financial barrier for many families.
“Up to recently, prosthetics was a big challenge, because most persons with these types of conditions do not have the financial resources to be able to get a prosthesis. We have changed that, because now if you come to us with a problem, we will accept it. And if you need a prosthesis, we will give it free of cost to all of you,” Minister Anthony said.
The minister also highlighted major improvements in hearing-related care. After years without a functioning supply system, the ministry restarted its hearing-aid programme, a vital step towards a more inclusive Guyana.
“We have also looked at persons who have challenges with hearing, and some of them require a hearing aid. We have restarted our own programme, where the government is paying for the hearing aids. But we give it to our patients free of cost," the Health Minister said.
He noted that distribution has increased significantly, adding, “We started out, I would say in a modest way, we started out doing maybe 300 to 500 hearing aids, and now, we are doing more than 1,000 a year.”
New rechargeable devices have also improved the user experience. The older models required frequent battery replacement, but the new ones come with simple charging systems; a small change that has made a world of difference for users.
Moreover, a nationwide programme to test students has revealed the scale of the need for this and simi-
lar ventures.
“We started doing screening for children going to school. And we were surprised at how many children needed hearing aids,” the minister said.
To date, the ministry has screened thousands of children of all ages and is working towards the goal of screening every child in Guyana.
Other areas of service expansion include physiotherapy, which Dr. Anthony said is now available in every region at facilities in Guyana’s regional hospitals.
Work is also progressing on the establishment of a neurological centre to support patients needing specialised care. The minister stressed that the government’s approach is holistic, focusing not only on medical interventions but also on education, employment and caregiver support.
Minister Anthony said the ministry remains committed to ensuring that disability services continue to grow in both quality and reach.
The goal, he noted, is not only to provide essential medical care, but to build an environment where children and adults with and without disabilities can access opportunities, participate fully in society and benefit from systems designed with their needs in mind.
With expanded training, new technologies and wider screening efforts already underway, the minister said the government’s work is far from over, but the foundation for lasting, nationwide change is firmly in place.
THE high-profile terrorism case stemming from the deadly Regent Street gas station bombing has been adjourned, after prosecutors disclosed that two key forensic material remains under overseas analysis.
The matter has now been adjourned to December 16, 2025.
The case was called on Wednesday before Acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court.
The day had been earmarked for continued disclosure; however, Prosecutor Mandel Moore informed the court that the process is still incomplete.
Moore told the court that two additional items recovered from the blast site were dispatched to India for specialised testing, and the prosecution is awaiting the final reports.
He requested additional time to finalise disclosure. The court granted the request and set the new date for December 16.
Wednesday’s adjournment follows an earlier disclosure session on December 3, which itself stemmed from delays in compiling evidence.
At that hearing, Moore, who also serves as Senior Legal Adviser to the Guyana Police Force, provided partial disclosure to the defence teams representing Venezuelans Daniel Alexander Ramirez Poedemo, 33, alleged to be the
mastermind, Johnny Boodram, 27, and Alexander Bettancourt, 44.
He had indicated that full disclosure would be completed at a later date.
The October 26 explosion at the Mobil gas station at Regent and King Streets claimed the life of six-year-old Soraya Bourne and injured four of her relatives.
The device also damaged several vehicles and nearby buildings, marking one of Guyana’s most serious national-security incidents in recent years.
Poedemo is charged separately with terrorism, contrary to Section 3(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Offences) Act.
The charge alleges that he placed and detonated an explosive device “with intent to threaten Guyana’s security and sovereignty or strike terror among the public,” resulting in the child’s death.
The other defendants — Boodram, Bettancourt, and LaCruz — are jointly charged with aiding and abetting Poedemo in the act of terrorism. All seven accused — four Venezuelans and three Guyanese — were remanded last week.
Investigators say Poedemo entered Guyana around 08:00 hours on the day of the attack, carrying the explosive in two bulky black plastic bags captured on surveillance footage.
Minutes after he walked into the compound, the blast tore through the area, killing Bourne and injuring Jenica Hooper (27), Yvonne Jonas (71), Seddia McIntosh, and Reshard Lord (11).
- AG notes no personal financial or medical data collected; process built on safeguards
and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and robust protections as they move ahead with a phased approach with preparations for the full rollout of the country’s Electronic Identification system.
Nandlall made this known while speaking on
his weekly programme, ‘Issues in the News’, during which he stated that the administration is laying a “modern foundation” supported by comprehensive legislation and extensive groundwork to ensure the system is implemented securely and in accordance with the law.
The Attorney General reminded the public that the National Assembly last year passed two key
pieces of legislation that underpin the initiative, the Digital Identity Card Act and the Data Protection Act, both of which he said demonstrate the government’s vision and commitment to digitisation.
“These two pieces of legislation demonstrate our government's vision and commitment to digitisation and using data and digitisation in the transformational developmental
trajectory that the Government has embarked upon in Guyana,” he stated.
He emphasised that data-driven development is a hallmark of modern governance globally, noting that data accumulation and use and digitisation are now indispensable tools that guide social, economic and infrastructural decision-making, as he further added that Guyana intends to adopt these same tools.
The AG noted that the legislation has received regional praise, highlighting that “these two pieces of legislation have been hailed as modern, as visionary, and as containing all the protective safeguards that are necessary in relation to legislation of their type”.
To this end, he noted that while both laws have not yet been brought into force, he stated that this is so based on the complexity of the systems they establish.
He stressed the importance of adequate preparation, including trained human resources, specialised centres in every administrative region, and the installation of technical equipment and infrastructure required for the system to function properly.
“This is not an easy task,” he said while adding that the government is moving with every convenient urgency to ensure that the requisite mechanisms are in place.
As part of these preparations, Nandlall disclosed that the government has begun limited registration of the Digital ID card to state employees, with only basic data being entered onto the cards during this phase, and participation being voluntary.
“It was explained that the legislation governing the data and the card are not in place… the participation of the process at this initial stage was based upon voluntariness,” he said.
To this end, he dispelled claims that the government is harvesting sensitive personal information and stressed that the data currently being collected consists only of details that are already publicly available or accessible through state agencies, such as names, addresses, passport numbers, ID numbers and oth-
er standard civil records.
“This is not private, peculiar information… no personal medical data, personal information data, personal financial data, such as bank accounts and medical information… have been uplifted from anyone,” he affirmed.
Against this backdrop, Nandlall rejected what he described as politically motivated fearmongering.
“This fear that the government is accumulating data and will misuse the data and will manipulate the data for ulterior design and purposes is one that is without basis,” he said.
He reiterated that when the legislation is fully operationalised, the process will unfold strictly in accordance with the law, with all safeguards in place and participation becoming mandatory as stipulated by statute.
However, he noted that the government remains focused on careful planning, public reassurance and ensuring that the system meets the highest standards.
POLICE in Region 10
have launched an investigation after a suspected RF-15 rifle and a quantity of ammunition were discovered during an intelligence-driven operation at 77 Miles, Unamco Road, on Tuesday.
According to the Guyana Police Force, ranks were conducting searches in the area at about 11:30hrs on December 2, 2025, when
they came upon several makeshift camp sites scattered within the location. The discovery prompted deeper checks.
During one of those searches, officers found “a suspected RF-15 rifle with a magazine containing thirty (30) .223 live rounds inside a hammock in one of the camps,” the release stated. No individuals were present at any of the camp sites
when police arrived.
The suspected firearm and ammunition were transported to the Mackenzie Police Station, where they were lodged as investigators work to determine ownership and how the weapon ended up at the remote location.
No arrests have been made. Police say the investigation remains ongoing.
AS the Wismar/ Mackenzie bridge draws closer to completion, it will provide lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits to residents and those travelling in and out of the mining town of Linden.
According to a report from the Ministry of Public Works, the US$35 million bridge is currently 92.3 per cent completed.
The large-scale infrastructure project will feature four lanes as compared to the previous two-lane bridge that existed.
This small but deliberate change will cut travel time in half and reduce traffic congestion.
It will also generate substantial annual savings for commuters and businesses, as this bridge, too, will be tollfree.
It reflects a decision by the President Aliled government aimed at making travel more affordable between regions.
The new 220-metre-long precast concrete bridge is also being built to accommodate a wider range of vehicle sizes and
weights, as well as higher speeds and uninterrupted passage for vessels, facilitating safer and easier passage to commuters.
Contractor, China Railway Construction (Caribbean) Co Ltd., is ahead of schedule, having completed 47 concrete girders to date.
The completion of girder production is anticipated in the first week of December, with the final 42m span girders to be produced at that time.
Currently, girder diaphragm and slab connections are in progress on three east spans.
The toe protection wall on the downstream side of the P0 abutment slope continues along the remaining third, with part of the base concrete already poured.
At P2, bent cap and plinth construction were completed.
For context: P stands for Pier, the vertical supports that hold up a bridge, or sometimes Pier/Abutment, depending on its location.
The numbers (0–6) identify each pier or abutment’s position along the bridge, starting from one end.
Upon completion,
the bridge will feature a prestressed, post-tensioned concrete box girder design, comprising four vehicular lanes and two barrier-separated pedestrian walkways.
The modern bridge is expected to mirror the design of the new Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge. It is set to become an iconic landmark of the region, providing a sense of pride and identity to the residents. It will also position the region as a key hub for international commerce and economic growth. [DPI]
THE Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) is throwing its full support behind the government’s move to solicit expressions of interest for the development of eco-lodges and resorts across Regions Two, Three, Four, Seven, Eight and Nine, describing the initiative as both timely and essential for sustaining the sector’s rapid expansion.
President of THAG, Mitra Ramkumar, said the association views the government’s call as a strategic step toward strengthening Guyana’s tourism architecture, particularly as visitor arrivals continue to climb.
Guyana recorded an 18 per cent increase in visitor arrivals for the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, clear evidence that demand is rising and the industry is entering a new phase of growth.
Ramkumar pointed to the skyline dotted with new hotels, ongoing construction and the steady rollout of new
ports and hospitality services as indicators of strong investor confidence and a “promising future for our sector.”
However, he cautioned that expansion carries responsibilities - ensuring that the quality and consistency of the visitor experience keep pace with the scale of development.
“Hospitality remains the heart of tourism. As our visitor number rises so do the need for skilled professional and well-motivated workforce,” he stated.
Ramkumar said this is why THAG continues to collaborate with its partners to expand training, certification and professional development across the entire tourism value chain. He said the association is encouraged by visitor feedback, which consistently highlights the warmth and authenticity of Guyanese hospitality.
“This is a tribute to our tour guides, housekeepers, chefs, drivers, all the frontline staff who shape the visitor experience; often quiet, often behind the scenes but always with pride
and dedication.”
Ramkumar reaffirmed THAG’s commitment to stand with the government, the Guyana Tourism Authority, its members and communities,
to support training, while also championing equality, promoting inclusive growth and persevering warmth and authenticity.
A BOLD new chapter for disability inclusion in Guyana began on Wednesday as the National Commission on Disability (NCD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, unveiled a transformative fiveyear roadmap aimed at breaking barriers and expanding opportunities for Guyanese living with a disability.
The plan was crafted with insight from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the lived experiences of Guyanese
ministry overcame through a national survey that has been vital in helping create an effective plan that caters to all Guyanese living with a disability.
“With good information now, we will know how to plan what to do and how to reach people. And this is a national survey; we have gone to every region, so we have a pretty good idea of what is happening," the Minister said.
While the plan is well structured, the minister highlighted the importance of cohesive collaboration
make that difference. Let's help to empower people living with disabilities,” he said.
Giving guests a deeper understanding of the plan, the Chairperson of the NCD, Ganesh Singh, explained that work on the plan is already underway, addressing various areas and issues affecting people with disabilities in Guyana.
One of the major goals of the plan is policy, which Singh explained that the commission will lead the charge in protecting the rights of people with dis-
Vice Chairperson of the NCD, Vidushi PersaudMcKinnon, presents Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, with the National Commission on Disability’s Strategic Plan 2025 to 2029 (Delano Williams photo)
with disabilities to create an inclusive strategy that tackles a number of issues.
The plan, which was launched on the International Day for People with Disabilities, Wednesday, December 3, is a major milestone in Guyana’s journey toward inclusivity.
Offering keynote remarks, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, highlighted the impactful work being done by the commission and praised the plan for its timeliness.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the members of the Commission for doing such a good job,” he said. He added that one of the biggest hurdles in making the plan a reality was the availability of information, a challenge the commission and
across ministries, NGOs and Guyanese.
Explaining the true extent of the plan and the impact it will have, Minister Anthony called on various stakeholders and entities to read the plan and play their role in improving visibility, accessibility, awareness and opportunities for people with disabilities.
“There are many things that are happening. And one ministry alone cannot do this by itself. This commission cannot do it by itself. Every NGO that has been helping, every organisation that has been helping, every ministry that has been involved in this, different aspects of the government, it is our combined efforts that are going to change the outcome and make a big impact. Let's
dress the issues that affect people with disabilities and are involved in disability in our society,” he shared.
Accessibility is also a major focus of the plan.
It aims to make Guyana a more accessible country, with Singh emphasising the call for buildings, particularly government and public buildings, to adopt more accessible designs.
This goes beyond ramps; Singh noted that accessibility also means ensuring children with disabilities have access to education.
“What we will do is work a lot with our stakeholders to ensure that Guyana becomes an accessible place where all buildings are built using the universal design. We will ensure that every child with a disability has access to a computer. We will ensure that every person with a disability who is eligible for the labour force and is actively seeking employment is able to work,” he said.
He noted that efforts by the commission have already been successful,
with the survey providing a better understanding of Guyana’s population of persons with disabilities and highlighting small wins such as an increase in employment among people living with disabilities
The plan is uniquely crafted by people with disabilities, with a strong focus on improving policy, rights, education, employment, housing, accessibility, and awareness. It is slated to usher in significant progress in Guyana’s steps toward building inclusivity.
Chairperson of the National Commission on Disability, Ganesh Singh, speaking at the launch of the plan on Wednesday. He explained that it will tackle a number of issues affecting Guyanese living with a disability, including employment, accessibility, and rights
abilities in Guyana.
“Our strategic plan is a five-year plan from 2025 to 2029 and it will guide the Commission in its work to promote and protect the rights of persons with disabilities. This will be done by monitoring how legislation is implemented, but at the same time addressing issues of discrimination within our society,” he said.
Another highlight of the plan is its inclusivity and adaptability. Singh shared that the plan was curated with the voices of Guyanese with disabilities and their support systems, creating a strategy that tackles the challenges they face as well as necessary systemic changes.
“The plan is created in such a way that it allows for the Commission to ad-
A bold new chapter for disability inclusion in Guyana began on Wednesday as the National Commission on Disability, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, unveiled a transformative five-year roadmap
THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) is preparing to push the sector into a more assertive growth phase in 2026, with an aggressive, capacity-building agenda aimed at strengthening product quality and positioning communities to capture a larger share of Guyana’s expanding tour-
bitious. They demand improved infrastructure, better connectivity and a product that offers visitors consistent quality, clear value and genuine Guyanese experiences,” she stated.
Looking ahead, the Minister signalled that 2026 will mark an escalated push. Their approach, she said, will be
mandate and supporting the sector as they head towards these national targets.
Minister Rodrigues posited that these initiatives demonstrate that villages can create experiences that reflect their unique culture, landscape, and aspirations. They also serve as a reminder that community tourism is a
ism economy.
This shift was underscored on Tuesday evening when the GTA hosted its annual Guyana Tourism Awards and Gala, the signature close to Tourism Awareness Month, at the Marriott Hotel, Georgetown.
The event recognised the individuals, businesses and partners driving innovation, service excellence and national brand visibility across the sector.
Delivering remarks, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, said the Awards serve as a reminder of the standard of excellence the industry must sustain as Guyana experiences intensified global attention.
She noted that Guyana recorded an 18 per cent increase in visitor arrivals for the first seven months of 2025, compared to the same period in 2024, a trajectory she said reflects both resilience and international interest in Guyana’s forests, rivers, culture and people.
Rodrigues said the government’s national targets underscore the scale of ambition by 2030, the aim is to welcome three billion transiting passengers through ports of entry and attract at least one billion visitors annually.
“Those targets are am-
“even more aggressive, with focus on areas that have shown the greatest potential for expansion and long-term impact.”
Central to that strategy is a nationwide capacity-building framework designed to ensure professionalism and quality across every region.
“We will intensify capacity building across all regions so that quality and professionalism are present in every tourism destination,” she affirmed, adding that the Tourism and Hospitality Training Institute will transition from construction to full operational readiness to produce more workers equipped for a rapidly growing sector.
Rodrigues said Regional Tourism Desks and Information Centres will be strengthened, with closer collaboration between local leaders and the GTA to ensure consistent standards.
Product development will also move with greater urgency as communities are encouraged to design tourism experiences that reflect their cultural identity and economic aspirations.
The Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and the GTA remain fully committed to advancing this
serious economic pathway that is capable of creating employment, strengthening local pride, and adding new products to our national portfolio.
It was said that sustainability remains a central pillar of their work. Guyana’s forests, rivers, savannahs, wetlands, and biodiversity support livelihoods and form the foundation of our tourism identity.
Minister Rodrigues called on awardees to continue to lift standards, innovate, employ young Guyanese, and create value chains that deliver income to communities, and nominees to continue to refine their craft.
Tuesday evening’s awards celebrated both emerging and established contributors to the sector. Among the honourees were Best Emerging Tour Guide, Christopher Persaud; the South Rupununi Conservation Society, Caiman House Inc., Rewa Eco Lodge, Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development and the Guyana Marine Conservation Society for Tourism and Conservation Initiatives.
Wanderlust Adventures GY captured the award for Best Tour; The Balance Hospitality Services received the Best in Service Excellence award; and
TO restore order and improve safety around one of Region Three’s busiest commercial
hubs, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development has secured an agreement with Parika Market vendors to fully relocate inside the market before midnight on
December 29, 2025.
The decision followed what the ministry described as a “constructive and consultative engagement” on Wednesday with Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand and the vendors who currently operate along the roadway.
According to a press release, “the minister reached a mutual agreement with vendors to relocate fully inside the market by midnight on December 29, 2025.”
The release noted that the move is part of a broader push to enhance public safety, reduce traffic obstructions, and elevate the overall shopping experience at Parika.
“This decision aims to clear the roadway currently used for vending, creating a safer environment for motorists and pedestrians, while also ensuring a more orderly, comfortable, and enjoyable market experience for shoppers,” the statement outlined.
The Ministry further extended gratitude to the
This shift, the ministry said, is essential to clearing the stretch of roadway that has for years been congested by roadside stalls.
vendors for what it described as their spirit of cooperation, adding that it remains committed to ensuring a seamless transition into the formal market space.
“The Ministry… thanks the vendors for their cooperation and remains committed to supporting the smooth transition into the market space,” the release said.
The relocation exercise is expected to significantly ease travel through the busy junction and strengthen ongoing efforts to modernise market management across the country.
AFIANA Lesperance, a single mother whose childhood was marked by hardship and discouragement, is among the 469 students set to graduate from the University of Guyana’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) this Friday.
“They would say hurtful things like, ‘Nothing good will come from you.’ Those words could have destroyed me, but instead, they fuelled my determination,” she recalled.
Afiana credits her son as her greatest source of strength and motivation.
“Everything I pushed
According to the University of Guyana (UG), Afiana’s story mirrors many IDCE graduands who seized a vital second chance to transform their lives.
Completing the Certificate Programme in Industrial Relations and Management has unlocked new possibilities for her, including the opportunity to pursue a degree at the University of Guyana, the institution said.
Lesperance’s path was far from easy. The eldest of seven children and raised by a single mother, Afiana confronted low expectations and harsh judgements from teachers and neighbours.
pline and sacrifice.
“My journey was challenging but extremely rewarding. There were many late nights, moments of doubt and times when I felt overwhelmed. But I persevered because I wanted a better life for my son and myself,” she explained.
Through hard work and perseverance, Afiana now serves as the Human Resource Manager at Professional Guard Services, a position she once thought was unattainable.
“Graduating means everything to me. It is proof that my past does not define my future. It represents growth, independence, and breaking generational barriers,” she expressed.
Afiana relied on the support of her son and siblings, who encouraged her when times were tough, and she expressed gratitude for the lecturers and staff at IDCE.
Above all, she credits her faith: “I thank God for the courage, strength, wisdom, and understanding that HE has blessed me with. Without God, none of this would be possible,” she said.
Having overcome obstacles that many would consider insurmountable, Afiana hopes her story inspires others. “Do not give up on yourself. Your situation is not your destination. You can achieve anything once you believe you deserve better,” she urged.
through, I did for him. He has been my greatest motivation,” she shared.
The turning point came at work when she was denied a job opportunity solely because she lacked the required qualifications.
“Those words of denial cut deeper than a knife,” she said.
Rather than accept defeat, Afiana reached out to the University of Guyana and learned that “It’s never too late for anything.”
Encouraged, she enrolled in the Industrial Relations and Management programme at IDCE. Balancing studies, full-time employment and parenting required immense disci -
agencies.
The Institute's programmes allow adults to choose courses which are directly related to their
With her IDCE journey complete, Afiana plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Guyana, furthering her qualifications in human resources and management.
The IDCE is dedicated to offering relevant and effectively organised education services for adults and youths out of school.
The Institute provides leadership in the field of Adult Open and Distance learning, develops and implements various educational programmes. The IDCE operates within communities and in collaboration with the Faculties of the University, Government, as well as non-governmental
needs, whether for personal development and enrichment, job advancement or higher academic pursuits.
UG’s Institute of Dis-
tance and Continuing Education will host its Convocation on Friday, at 13:00 hrs at the University’s Turkeyen Campus.
POLICE on Wednesday
seized two suspected 9mm pistols, 56 rounds of ammunition and more than $6.9
million in local currency during a targeted operation at Redwood Crescent, Mackenzie, Linden, which
also led to the arrest of a 30-year-old businessman.
In a statement, the Guyana Police Force said ranks
conducted a search at the man’s home earlier in the day and uncovered the weapons hidden in a bedroom on the upper flat.
“While searching a bedroom in the upper flat, ranks found a suspected Glock 19 9mm pistol, a suspected Polymer80 9mm pistol, six magazines and a total of fifty-six (56) 9mm rounds concealed beneath the flooring of the bedroom,” the release reported.
The search further led to the discovery of large quantities of cash believed to be stored in the same room.
According to the Force, “additional searches uncovered $6,915,000 GYD and $7,445 USD in a wardrobe in the said bedroom.”
The businessman was arrested on the scene, and investigators have since lodged the suspected firearms, ammunition and cash as the investigation intensifies.
“The 30-year-old is presently in custody… pending investigation,” the release added.
Police said the probe is ongoing.
POLICE have launched an investigation after suspected cannabis was discovered hidden inside cargo at an airways facility at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, Ogle, earlier today.
According to the Guyana Police Force, ranks conducted inspections at about 11:25 hrs on Wednesday during which they unearthed several packets of the illicit substance concealed in ordinary food items.
The release stated that “thirteen (13) small zip-lock bags containing a quantity of leaves, seeds and stems sus-
pected to be cannabis were found concealed in four (4) White Oats packets placed in a bag which was destined for Chi Chi Village, Region #7.”
The suspected cannabis was later taken to the GPF Narcotics Branch. Police confirmed that the substance “weighed amounted to sixty (60) grams and was subsequently lodged.”
No arrests have been made, and investigators are working to determine the origin of the cargo and the individuals linked to the shipment. Investigations are ongoing.
A MINIBUS driver has been charged in connection with the fatal hit-and-run collision that claimed the life of 43-year-old Charran Suresh of Newtown, Enmore, East Coast Demerara.
Ganesh Racktoo was on Wednesday brought before the Cove and John Magistrates’ Court to answer the allegation that he drove a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner on October 25,
2025, along the Enmore Station Road, thereby causing Suresh’s death.
The charge was laid under Section 35(1) of the Motor Vehicle and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02.
Racktoo, who appeared before Her Worship Orinthia Schmidt, pleaded not guilty.
He was granted bail in the sum of $250,000.
The matter has been adjourned to January 28, 2026.
were 10-2.
(From back page)
Hope and Chanderpaul, though, hung around without worrying about the scoring rate. The first boundary of West Indies’ innings came in the 23rd over when Hope, batting in sunglasses because of an eye infection, drove Duffy through the covers. In the next over, he drove Nathan Smith through mid-on for another boundary.
Chanderpaul, meanwhile, enjoyed his luck. He was dropped twice, on five and 24, both times by Devon Conway at leg slip, first off the bowling of Smith and then Henry.
Hope brought up his fifty after lunch. With Chanderpaul also looking comfortable, New Zealand were forced to change their plan. Duffy went short against Hope and had him hopping around.
Once a short leg was deployed, Hope’s problems increased. Eventually, he ended up gloving a short ball from around the wicket to Tom Latham, who was keeping in place of Tom Blundell. Blundell had hurt his hamstring while batting on the first day and didn’t take the field in the morning.
NEW ZEALAND 1st innings (overnight 231 for nine)
*Tom Latham c Imlach b Greaves 24
Devon Conway c Greavess b Roach 0
Kane Williamson c Athanaze b Greaves 52
Rachin Ravindra b Seales 3
Will Young c Graeves b Layne 14
+Tom Blundell b Shields 29
Michael Bracewell c Chanderpaul b Shields 47
Nathan Smith c Campbell b Chase 23
Zak Foulkes c +Imlach b Seales 4
Matt Henry c Seales b Roach 8
Jacob Duffy not out 4
Extras (b 4, lb7, nb 6, w6) 23
TOTAL (all out; 70.3 overs) 231
Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-94, 3-95, 4-103, 5-120, 6-148, 7-200, 8-215, 9-227, 10-231.
Bowling: Roach 17-6-47-2, Seales 15.33-44-2, Layne 11-1-47-1, Shields 9-2-34-2, Greaves 10-3-35-2, Chase 8-2-13-1.
WEST INDIES 1st innings
John Campbell c Young b Foulkes 1
Tagenarine Chanderpaul c Conway b Foulkes 52
Alick Athanaze b Henry 4
Shai Hope c Latham b Duffy 56
*Roston Chase c Latham b Henry 0
Once Duffy broke the 90-run stand, Henry returned to pick up two in one over. Bowling away swingers just around off stump, he had Roston Chase and Justin Greaves caught behind for ducks, leaving West Indies on 106-5.
It didn’t affect Chanderpaul, though. He carried on in his unhurried manner and brought up his half-century. He and Tevin Imlach added 34 for the sixth wicket, a stand that was broken when Conway finally held on to a catch.
Chanderpaul pulled Foulkes aerially towards square leg, where Conway flung himself to his left, went with both hands, and landed with the ball in his left.
Henry caught Kemar Roach’s outside edge soon after. The ball was going straight to first slip, but Michael Bracewell dived across from second and spilled it.
Soon, it became dark enough that only spinners were allowed to bowl. But after a short rain break, the sky brightened up again. When play resumed, Duffy did not take long to mop up the remaining four wickets.
With the first ball after resumption, he had Imlach caught down the leg side. The batter reviewed the on-field decision only for replays to show he had gloved the bouncer. Johann Layne was caught and bowled in the same over. Duffy then went full and bowled Seales and Ojay Shields to complete his five-for. (ESPNcricinfo)
Justin Greaves c Latham b Henry 0 +Tevin Imlach c Latham b Duffy 14
Kemar Roach not out 10
Johann Layne c&b Duffy 0 Jayden Seales b Duffy 2 Ojay Shields b Duffy 0
Extras (b10, lb6, nb7, w5) 28
TOTAL (all out; 75.4 overs) 167 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-10, 3-100, 4-106, 5-106, 6-140, 7-157, 8-157, 9-167, 10-167. Bowling: Henry 22-7-43-3, Foulkes 18-732-2, Smith 15-6-39-0, Duffy 17.4-7-34-5, Bracewell 2-1-3-0, Ravindra 1-1-0-0.
NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings
*Tom Latham not out 14 Devon Conway not out 15
Extras (b2, w1) 3
TOTAL (without loss; seven overs) 32
Yet to bat: Kane Williamson, Rachin Ravindra, Will Young, Tom Blundell, Michael Bracewell, Nathan Smith, Zak Foulkes, Matt Henry, Jacob Duffy.
Bowling: Roach 3-0-13-0, Seales 2-0-8-0, Shields 1-0-5-0, Chase 1-0-4-0.
Toss: West Indies elected to field. Position: New Zealand lead by 96 runs in their second innings with three days remaining.
RACING TIPS CHELMSFORD 12:30 hrs Filly Foden 13:00 hrs Easlhswith 13:30 hrs Symbol Of Majesty 14:00 hrs Cherry Cobbler
hrs Danger Alert
(Thursday, December 4, 2025)
COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Tom Latham (NZ) (2) Kemar Roach (WI)
Today’s Quiz: (1) How many times the WI & NZ have engaged each other in Tests (prior to the commencement of the current series)?
(2) How many the WI have won? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
OVER a thousand players have registered for the Indian Premier League (IPL) mini-auction, with Mayank Agarwal, KS Bharat, Rahul Chahar, Ravi Bishnoi, Akash Deep, Deepak Hooda, Venkatesh Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, Prithvi Shaw and Umesh Yadav topping the list of Indian aspirants. But Glenn Maxwell - a veteran of 13 seasons and 141 games - is a glaring absentee. The one-day mini-auction is in Abu Dhabi on December 16.
The auction register, accessed by Cricbuzz, lists exactly 1,355 players, with leading international names from England, Australia, South Africa and Afghanistan filling the 13-page Excel sheet, which includes 1,062 Indians and 293 overseas players. Maxwell, who has been one of the regular features of the IPL, has stayed away.
"After many unforgettable seasons in IPL, I've decided not to put my name into the auction this year. It's a big call, and one I make with a lot of gratitude for everything this league has given me," Maxwell announced via instagram.
"The IPL has helped shaped me as a cricketer and as a person. I've been lucky to play with worldclass teammates, and perform in front of fans whose passion is unmatched. The memories, the challenges, and the energy of India will stay with me forever. Thank you all for your support over the years, hopefully see you soon."
Cameron Green, Matthew Short and Steve Smith headline the Australian players hoping to find buyers. Even Josh Inglis, whose availability is uncertain due to his wedding, has surprised his former franchise by en-
tering his name. The exhaustive sheet also has players like Jamie Smith and Jonny Bairstow of England, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Devon Conway of New Zealand, and Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana of Sri Lanka, among others. The list incorporates 212 capped, 1,121 uncapped and 22 associate players.
There are 16 capped Indian entries but only two - Bishnoi and Iyer - have the maximum base price of Rs 2 crore. Among the overseas players, there are 43 in the Rs 2 crore bracket, including Green, the Smiths (Steve and Jamie), Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Naveen-ulHaq, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Inglis, Mustafizur Rahman, Gus Atkinson, Tom Banton, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway, Gerald Coetzee,
SHUBMAN Gill is back as India’s vice-captain for the T20I series against South Africa, as reported by Cricbuzz earlier, although his participation in the series is subject to a fitness clearance from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence.
The other major headline is the return of Hardik Pandya and the exclusion of Nitish Reddy and Rinku Singh, while Jasprit Bumrah also returns for the five-match series after being rested for the ODI series against South Africa.
Gill, the captain of the Test and ODI teams, suffered a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata. He subsequently missed the second Test and the ODI series, undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI's COE in Bengaluru, where he batted for a considerable length of time over the last couple of days without showing any signs of discomfort.
Pandya's last appearance for India was in the Asia Cup 2025 Super 4s match against Sri Lanka on September 26. A left quadricep injury kept him out of action for a while as he underwent
Both Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill have been named in the squad
rehabilitation at the COE from mid-October before featuring in Baroda's game against Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on December 2, in which he scored a match-winning 77 not out. The first match of the T20I series will be played on December 9 in Cuttack. The teams travel to Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) for the second T20I on December 11, followed by a trip to Dharamsala for the third game on December 14. Lucknow will host the fourth T20I on
December 17 while the series ends with the fifth T20I in Ahmedabad on December 19. India’s squad for T20I series against South Africa: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, Washington Sundar. (Cricbuzz)
Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana and Hasaranga.
Shakib Al Hasan, an IPL veteran with 71 games across nine seasons, has given himself a reserve price of Rs 1 crore. The list has an Indian-origin player from New Zealand, Adithya Ashok, a right-arm spinner, with a base price of Rs 75 lakh. Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein and Alzarri Joseph have the maximum floor price of Rs 2 crore.
The spreadsheet includes overseas players from 14 countries, including Afghanistan, Australia, England, Bangladesh, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, Scotland and the USA. There is even an entry from Malaysia. India-born Virandeep Singh, a right-handed all-rounder, has given his entry with a base price of
Rs 30 lakh.
Post the retentions, the deadline for which was November 15, the 10 IPL franchises collectively have Rs 237.55 crore to transact at the auction, with Kolkata Knight Riders heading to Abu Dhabi with the maximum purse of Rs 64.30 crore. Chennai Super Kings are second on the rich list with a purse of Rs 43.40 crore available. There are 77
slots to be filled, including 31 overseas positions.
The list, of course, is not final and, as always, it will be pruned. The franchises have been given time until December 3 to respond with any additional names they want added to the register, and they have until December 5 to confirm the names they want included for the auction.
(Cricbuzz)
Oval Invincibles will be renamed MI London from next season following investment from the owners of Indian Premier League side Mumbai Indians.
Reliance Industries Limited bought a 49 per cent stake in the franchise, which has produced five title-winning teams in The Hundred, from the England and Wales Cricket Board in January.
The deal worth about £60m has now formally been completed, while the ECB has confirmed Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly's Cain & Ares Management Credit funds' investment in Trent Rockets was also finalised in October.
It means that deals for all eight Hundred sides have been completed, after stakes in the other six franchises were sold in July.
The name change for Invincibles aligns the side with four other teams under Reliance ownership: MI Cape Town in South Africa's SA20, MI Emirates in the United Arab Emirates' International League T20, and MI New York in Major League Cricket in the United States.
Invincibles, who won the women's competition in 2021 and 2022 and the men's tournament in 2023, 2024 and 2025, are the first side from the MI collective of teams to be renamed, with the remaining franchises founded under their current names.
"We're pleased to have reached an agreement with the Reliance team over our partnership in the Hundred franchise team," said Oli Slipper, the chair of Surrey, who retain 51 per cent ownership of the renamed team.
"Reliance bring a significant depth of cricket and business expertise and have had great success with their franchise teams in India and around the world.
"We have worked very closely with Reliance over the name of the new team and believe that MI London will give us the best opportunity to build the fanbase at home and across the world.
"We also believe that the team brand will help to grow the commercial value of our franchise, in turn boosting investment into the longterm sustainable growth of
Surrey and of cricket in our community."
The move comes with The Hundred set to move to an auction format for assigning players to franchises.
That switch is likely to result in the breaking up of a settled squad that won three successive men's tournaments for Invincibles.
Reliance's franchises have had a large amount of success around the world, with Mumbai Indians the joint most successful team in Indian Premier League history with five titles.
The Mumbai Indians women's side have won the Women's Premier League title in two of the competition's three seasons, while MI New York boast the same record in Major League Cricket.
MI Cape Town won the most recent SA20 competition, while MI Emirates took the title in the 2024 ILT20.
"We are delighted to welcome MI London into the #OneFamily and take the MI legacy to new frontiers," said Reliance founder Nita Ambani. (BBC Sport)
VIRAT Kohli eased to his second successive century and Ruturaj Gaikwad hit his first in ODIs as India piled up 358 for 5, in front of 60,000 spectators, in Raipur. That total, however, didn't turn out to be a dew-proof one, with South Africa sneaking past the target to silence the packed crowd and set up a decider in Visakhapatnam.
Aiden Markram, who led South Africa's chase with his first hundred in an ODI chase, Matthew Breetzke and Dewald Brevis upstaged Kohli and Gaikwad, with some help from dewy conditions. It was the joint-highest successful chase against India in ODIs and South Africa's third-highest overall in the format.
(Scores: South Africa 362 for 6 (Markram 110, Breetzke 68, Markram 54, Arshdeep 2-54, Prasidh 2-85) beat India 358 for 5 (Gaikwad 105, Kohli 102, Jansen 2-63) by four wickets)
When Brevis holed out for 54 off 34 balls, after raising his maiden ODI fifty, South Africa were still ahead, needing 70 off 57 balls with six wickets in hand.
The visitors then suddenly fell behind when they lost Breetzke and Marco Jansen in successive overs.
…India's total of 358 didn't turn out to be a dew-proof one, with SA sneaking past the target with four balls remaining
including Yashasvi Jaiwal dropping Markram on 53. Jaiswal got into an awkward side-on position, let the ball slip through his hands and tip over the rope for six. Markram then cranked up the tempo, launching Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja for sixes.
He proceeded to bring up his hundred off 88 balls. On a day where three centuries were scored, Markram's proved to be the match-winning one.
bined power with invention to remain unbeaten on 66 off 43 balls. Jadeja wasn't as fluent but did his bit with an unbeaten 24 off 27 balls.
By the time Jansen holed out to long-off, South Africa required 37 off 33 balls with four wickets in hand. Tony de Zorzi hobbling off the field with a potential hamstring injury after 45 overs added another twist to the chase. He joined Nandre Burger, who had hurt his own hamstring and left the field earlier in the first innings, on the sidelines. It boiled down to South Africa needing 27 off 30 balls. Corbin Bosch's attacking enterprise and Keshav Maharaj's calmness got the job done for them, leaving India wondering what might have been.
India had to contend with multiple mishaps in the field,
India were up against it even before the first ball was bowled. Their wretched luck at the toss continued - they lost their 20th straight toss in ODI cricket - and Rahul made his displeasure known by throwing his head back. After they were asked to bat first, India moved to 40 for 0 in the fifth over, with 13 of those runs coming via wides. Burger and Lungi Ngidi, who had replaced Ottniel Baartman, found swing with the new ball, but struggled to control it. Burger, though, tightened up to have Rohit Sharma nicking behind for 14 off eight balls. Then, in the tenth over, Jansen bounced Jaiswal out for 22. Jansen then greeted Gaikwad with a nastier headhigh lifter. Gaikwad took his eyes off the ball, threw his hands up in defence, and managed to glove it over the
CHRIS Paul’s time with the Los Angeles Clippers is over.
Paul was sent home by the franchise late on Tuesday night in the middle of their five-game road trip, he revealed on his Instagram story.
The Clippers confirmed early Wednesday morning they were parting ways with Paul.
“We are parting ways with Chris and he will no longer be with the team," Clippers president Lawrence Frank said in a statement, via ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "We will work with him on the next step of his career.
"Chris is a legendary Clipper who had a historic career. I want to make one thing very clear. No one is blaming Chris for our underperformance. I accept responsibility for the record
we have right now. There are a lot of reasons why we’ve struggled. We’re grateful for the impact Chris has made on the franchise.”
Paul is in his 21st season in the league, and he already announced it will be his last.
He struck a one-year, $3.6 million deal with the Clippers this past offseason, reuniting with the franchise he spent six seasons with earlier in his career. That move to return to Los Angeles, he said at the time, was a "no-brainer.”
Paul has played for seven franchises throughout his career and is a 12-time AllStar. He has led the league in assists five times and led the league in steals six times. While he’s not won an NBA championship, there is no doubt Paul is a future Hall of Famer and one of the best point guards to ever play in the league.
The 40-year-old has averaged 2.9 points and 3.3 assists per game this season while coming off the bench consistently for just the second time in his career. He had eight points and three assists in 15 minutes off the bench Monday night in the Clippers' loss to the Miami Heat.
The Clippers have gotten off to an awful start this season. They will enter Wednesday’s game with just a 5-16 record, which is the second worst in the Western Conference ahead of only the New Orleans Pelicans. They have lost five straight and eight of their past nine. Clearly, the team is looking to shake things up. The final few months of Paul's career after this sudden split with the Clippers, however, is suddenly in jeopardy. (Yahoo Sports)
keeper for four.
Gaikwad then found his groove with a brace of paddle-sweeps off Maharaj. Kohli was already set at the other end, having opened his account with a pulled six off Ngidi. He then dashed out of the crease and whacked a four straight past Bosch, leaving Gaikwad ducking for cover. When Markram pitched one too full and outside off, Kohli flat-batted him through covers, a shot that reminded Ravi Shastri, a man who knows Kohli well, of his success against Nathan Lyon in the past.
Gaikwad matched Kohli shot for shot. He pumped Maharaj over his head after stepping out and shovelled Bosch through midwicket, having even Kohli excited at the other end. He zoomed from fifty to hundred in 25
balls. It was his 18th List A ton and first as a non-opener. Picked ahead of natural middle-order batters like Rishabh Pant and Tilak Varma, Gaikwad showed his versatility.
After Jansen dismissed Gaikwad for 105, ending a 195-run partnership for the third wicket, Kohli went on to bring up back-to-back hundreds. It was the 11th instance of Kohli achieving the feat, easily the most by any batter in ODIs. AB de Villiers is next on the list with six instances of hundreds in back-to-back innings.
Ngidi then stopped Kohli's innings on 102 in the 40th over. When Washington Sundar was run-out, India slipped to 289 for 5, but Rahul took charge of the innings in the end overs to take India past 350. He com-
Unlike South Africa's quicks, India's were largely on target with the new ball. Arshdeep Singh got one to nip away from Quinton de Kock and had him miscuing a hoick to mid-on in the fifth over for 8 off 11 balls. Harshit Rana threatened both the edges of Markram from various lengths, but the batter managed to see off the new ball and laid a strong foundation for South Africa's chase. Temba Bavuma kept him good company in a 101-run stand for the second wicket before the South Africa captain was bounced out by Prasidh Krishna.
Markram countered India's spinners, including Kuldeep Yadav, before Harshit Rana bested him with a slower offcutter into the pitch. Breetzeke and Brevis then struck up a powerful partnership, pushing South Africa closer to the target. Breetzke extended his golden run in ODIs, with his seventh fifty-plus score in 11 innings. Though both Breetzke and Brevis were part of a late wobble, Bosch stayed cool with Maharaj to seal South Africa's win with four balls to spare. (ESPN Cricinfo)
FORMER England batter, Robin Smith, has died at the age of 62.
Nicknamed 'Judge', Smith won 62 Test caps between 1988 and 1996 and scored 4,236 runs at an average of 43.67, including nine centuries. He also averaged 39.01 in 71 one-day internationals.
Smith spent his entire county career at Hampshire, winning two Benson & Hedges Cups and a NatWest Trophy and captaining them between 1998 and 2002.
He finished his 22-year career in 2003, with 26,155 firstclass runs at an average of 41.51.
Following his retirement, Smith, who had relocated to Australia, struggled with mental health issues and alcoholism and was hospitalised for several months in 2024.
His family said he died unexpectedly at his home in Perth on Monday. The cause of death is unknown.
Robin Smith won 62 Test caps between 1988 and 1996 and scored 4,236 runs at an average 43.67
"A brave and dashing batsman, he excelled both for Hampshire and his adopted country, collecting legions of admirers and friends along the way."
Born in South Africa in 1963, Smith followed older brother Chris and future England international to Hampshire as a teenager, making his
debut in 1982.
After a four-year qualification period, he was eligible to play for England, with his Test debut coming against West Indies at Headingley in 1988.
He made his ODI debut against Sri Lanka later that summer.
The following year Smith was England's leading run-scorer, with 553, in a 4-0 home Ashes defeat by Australia. Particularly prolific in English conditions, he scored seven of his nine Test centuries and averaged almost 50 on home soil.
He was a member of England's 1992 World Cup squad but did not play in the defeat by Pakistan in the final.
Smith hit an unbeaten 167 off 163 balls against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993 – the highest score by an England player in the format until Alex Hales made 171 against Pakistan in 2016. (BBC Sport)
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC )– A 2-2 draw with Universidad O&M FC was enough to help Mount Pleasant FA capture their first-ever CONCACAF Caribbean Cup title here at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
Goals from substitutes Warner Brown and Tyreek Magee ensured a share of the spoils for Mount Pleasant and gave them a 3-2 aggregate lead following their 1-0 victory over the Dominican Republic club last week.
They became the fourth Jamaican club, after last
year’s champions Cavalier S.C., Harbour View and Portmore United, to win the Caribbean Cup.
Needing to avoid defeat to secure the title, Mount Pleasant were given a numerical advantage in the 26th minute when Junior Capellan was sent off.
However, it was the visitors who opened the scoring when Frantzety Herard fired past goalkeeper Tafari Chamber in first half added time.
Brown, who replaced Raheem Edwards at the start of the second half, brought
Australia have delayed naming their team for the second Ashes Test against England, leaving the door open for captain Pat Cummins to make a shock return.
Pace bowler Cummins missed the first Test with the back injury that has stopped him from playing since July.
The 32-year-old bowled in the nets in Perth during the first Test and again in his home city of Sydney following Australia's victory, only to be left out of the squad for the day-night Test in Brisbane starting on Thursday.
the game back on level terms when he scored in the 62nd minute.
Those celebrations were cut short, as seven minutes later Universidad O&M FC regained the lead when Herard set up centre-half Julen Olasagasti to score their second goal of the night.
But with three minutes remaining in regulation, Magee made himself an instant hero when he fired a low shot past goalkeeper Iraitz Gelbentzu’s left glove, just inside the upright to create history for the St Ann-based club.
GUYANA’S Matthew
Nandu, who became the first Guyanese to score a hundred on his FirstClass debut, was among several players who were rewarded for their splendid performances during the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) 46th annual presentation, dinner and dance, held at the Cinnamon Banquet Hall, Markham, Ontario, Canada, last Saturday night. Nandu, who was unavoidably absent from the elaborate presentation ceremony, registered two fine centuries, 125 versus Ambassadors Cricket Club and an unbeaten 155 against Naseeb Cricket Club during his limited appearances in the Elite League, representing Kaieteur International “A” Sports Club.
The left-handed opener’s knock versus Naseeb singlehandedly led his side to victory after the opponents were limited to 237 for seven in 46 overs in the second week of the season at the Ellesmere South ground in Scarborough. Kaieteur International ‘A’ achieved the
winning target in 47.3 overs, in the 50-over affair, with Nandu slamming 10 fours and six sixes in an incredible innings.
Earlier this year, the 21-year-old Nandu was appointed Guyana’s vice-captain for the four-day West Indies Championship and went a step further by leading the team in the Super-50 tournament which saw Guyana’s chances of reaching the final being severely affected by the inclement weather.
Matthew is the son of Arjune, the former West Indies Under-19 and Guyana leg-spinner, who played four first-class matches before he moved to Canada.
During the off-season in Canada, Nandu used to travel to Guyana and went onto emulate his father by playing for both West Indies Under-19 and Guyana (Frederick Halley).
But on Tuesday, with Cummins again training in Brisbane, Australia refused to rule out the possibility of him being included in the XI at the Gabba.
Steve Smith, who led Australia in Perth, spoke on Wednesday at the captain's pre-match news conference and said they would name their team later in the day.
A meeting between Cummins, Smith, head coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey took place on the square at the Gabba, after which Cummins was embraced by McDonald.
Following the Australia team's departure from the ground, it was confirmed they would not name their team until the toss on Thursday.
Speaking earlier in the day, Smith said there were "a whole heap of things are on the table".
"We'll wait and see what the wicket looks like later and from there we'll determine a playing XI," he said.
"He looks pretty good to me; he's bowled in the nets. Obviously games are different intensity, but he's tracking nicely and he knows his body well.
"He's been bowling for a few weeks and pulling up well, and ramping his numbers up. He's feeling good. He's bowling nicely in the nets, having faced him."
Cummins could take the place of pace bowler Brendan Doggett, who made his
Inglis moved to Australia when he was 14 and made a century on Test debut against Sri Lanka this year.
The 30-year-old, who has three Test caps, made a hundred for a Cricket Australia XI against England Lions over the weekend of the first Test.
"He's a pretty attacking batsman," said Smith. "He did really well on his debut in Sri Lanka. He's been in really good form and he plays fast bowling nicely. I'm sure he'll do really well."
Test debut in Perth, or Nathan Lyon if Australia opt to go without a frontline spinner.
It is not unusual for Australia to name their XI at the toss - England are outliers for their preference of naming a team early.
But it can also not be discounted that Australia are holding off on announcement to keep the tourists guessing.
Asked about Australia's decision not to name their team, England captain Ben Stokes said: "We'll just have to wait and see what XI they go with.
"Pat's awesome. He has been for a very, very long time. He's done great things not only as a player, but he's been great since he's been given the responsibility of being captain for Australia.
"Whatever XI they go with - if Pat's there, if Pat's not - we'll still be going in there to try and get the win too.
There will be at least one change to the Australia team from first Test, after opener Usman Khawaja failed to recover from back spasms.
Leeds-born batter Josh Inglis is the most likely to come into the side, having trained as part of the Australia slip cordon.
Travis Head, who made a match-winning century in Perth after being promoted to open in place of Khawaja, will remain at the top of the order.
The return of Cumminsone of the best fast bowlers in the world - would be a huge boost to an Australia team 1-0 up and with the chance to move a step closer to retaining the Ashes.
Only Mitchell Starc has taken more wickets in floodlit Tests than Cummins. Cummins has a better average, strike-rate and economy rate when bowling with a pink ball compared to the red.
In batting at number eight, Cummins will also boost an Australia batting order that included a long tail in Perth.
England, who have not won a Test in Australia in almost 15 years nor a match in Brisbane since 1986, confirmed their team on Tuesday.
Spin-bowling all-rounder Will Jacks has been included for his first Test in three years, replacing injured pace bowler Mark Wood.
With England identifying the need for a spin option, Jacks was chosen ahead of first-choice spinner Shoaib Bashir because of the runs he could provide at number eight.
"We tried to look at how we thought spin was going to be used and there was a bit of a tactical element to it," said Stokes.
"Jacksy's ability with the bat - to have that down the order for us is useful as well.
"If it ever comes down to picking our best spinner, selection would go the other way."
Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul added 90 for the second wicket (Getty Images)
Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored
fifties, but no other batter made a big contribution as West Indies fell 64 behind in the first-innings exchanges
JACOB Duffy‘s maiden five-wicket haul in Tests gave New Zealand the upper hand on the second day of the first Test against West Indies in Christchurch. Matt Henry also chipped in with a three-for as West Indies folded for 167 in response to New
Zealand’s first-innings total of 231.
This despite New Zealand dropping four catches, three of those off Henry, and giving away 28 extras. For West Indies, Shai Hope and Tagenarine Chanderpaul scored half-centuries, but only two others reached double-digits.
At stumps, New Zealand were 32 for no loss in their second innings, extending their lead to 96.
(Scores: New Zealand 231 (Williamson 52, Bracewell 47, Shields 2-34, Greaves 2-35) and 32 for 0 (Conway 15*, Latham 14*) lead West Indies 167 (Hope
56, Chanderpaul 52, Duffy 5-34, Henry 3-43) by 96 runs)
In the morning, West Indies needed only three balls to take the last New Zealand wicket, Zak Foulkes edging Jayden Seales down the leg side. But they themselves lost an early wicket as Foulkes struck with the first ball of the
second over.
Bowling around the wicket, he induced an outside edge from John Campbell, and Will Young took the catch diving to his left at third slip.
However, a few overs later, Young dropped a much easier chance when Henry got Alick Athanaze to edge one.
Henry wasn’t to be denied for long, though. In his next over, he got the ball to jag back in from around the wicket to make a mess of Athanaze’s stumps.
All this while, the scoreboard moved at a snail’s pace. After 12 overs, West Indies
(Turn to page 24)
FOLLOWING a disappointing and error-strewn 3-1 loss to Nicaragua in their CONCACAF W Qualifier opener on Monday evening, the Lady Jags received a vital morale boost directly from the top.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, a keen spectator at the National Track and Field Facility, immediately entered
the locker room after the final whistle to deliver a powerful message: "Believe in yourself."
The defeat, which saw costly defensive lapses put the team behind early and a lack of clinical finishing halt their comeback efforts, has raised the stakes dramatically in Group B.
However, President Ali’s
address focused not on criticism, but on the crucial necessity of confidence and the need to regroup ahead of their remaining high-pressure fixtures.
He said the government will be fully behind the team in this campaign and he knows they can succeed.
The sentiment of resilience was echoed by the
team’s goalscorer, Annalisa Vincent. The attacker, who netted Guyana’s only goal with a powerful, towering header, remains defiant despite the opening loss—a result many pundits had pegged the Lady Jags to win.
"It’s a tough way to start, especially when we know our potential," Vincent said, acknowledging the defensive
lapses that plagued the performance. "
The 3-1 stumble means the Lady Jags now desperately require maximum points in their upcoming slate of Group B matches.
The context of these qualifiers is brutal: only the winner of Group B will secure one of the six places in the decisive 2026 Concacaf
W Championship, the final gate to the World Cup and the LA Olympics. Guyana's journey continues with a must-win home fixture against Dominica in February 2026. Following that, they face away tests against Antigua and Barbuda and, most dauntingly, regional powerhouse Jamaica.
