President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday met with a team of investors
India at State House, marking another step in the
modernise Guyana’s sugar industry (Office of the President photo)
Indian experts present findings on GuySuCo to President Ali
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Saturday met with a visiting team of investors and technical experts from India who have been conducting a detailed assessment of the Guyana Sugar Corporation’s (GuySuCo) major assets. The meeting, held at State House, marked an important step in the government’s ongoing effort to revitalise the sugar industry and attract international investment into its recovery.
According to a post on the President’s official Facebook page, the delegation has spent several days examining GuySuCo’s primary estates and factories. Their visit forms part of a broader initiative to secure partnerships that can bring modern expertise, improved technology and new capital into the sector. Guyana and India share a long history of cooperation in agriculture, and India is recognised globally for its advancements in sugar manufacturing, mechanisation and value-added production.
During the engagement, President Ali received an update on the team’s preliminary findings. These included an outline of critical gaps within the corporation’s infrastructure, priority areas that require rehabilitation and several recommendations for improved performance across the estates.
The experts also discussed potential opportunities for investment that could strengthen GuySuCo’s factory operations and expand production capacity.
The team is expected to submit a comprehensive report to the government in the coming weeks. This document will identify investment options for key factory locations and outline technical proposals that may support the long-term sustainability of the industry.
Saturday’s meeting was attended by Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh; Min-
ister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha; Chief Executive Officer of GuySuCo, Paul Cheong; and other government officials.
The move to engage international investors follows
several years of aggressive government intervention aimed at restoring the industry, protecting jobs and stabilising rural economies.
The upcoming report from the Indian delegation is ex-
pected to play an important role in shaping the next phase of GuySuCo’s modernisation programme.
Speaking at the opening of GuyExpo 2025 last month, President Ali issued
a firm warning to GuySuCo’s leadership, signalling that a shake-up in management as well as swift, robust work to revive the industry.
While sugar production is still not up to par, there are
still signs of growth within the industry. According to the Ministry of Finance’s midyear report released earlier this year, the sugar-growing industry expanded by an estimated 136.7 per cent compared to the first half of 2024. Moreover, it was reported that GuySuCo produced 15,954 tonnes of sugar in the first crop this year, up from 6,739 tonnes during the same period last year.
The first half of the year, however, posed several challenges, including heavy rainfall that disrupted harvesting and factory operations, labour shortages, and reduced cane quality.
Additionally, the government has been working to leverage GuySuCo’s existing human capital, arable lands, and infrastructure to reimagine the corporation as a hub for rural development. The extensive estates are aimed at supporting the cultivation of other crops such as rice, corn, and cassava, providing opportunities for diversification and additional revenue streams. Beyond cultivation, the government has also highlighted the potential for skills development across various professions connected to the industry, from welders, mechanics, clerks, and drivers to technicians and engineers.
Efforts are also already underway to modernise production across several sugar estates, with significant investments in mechanisation and technology. These include initiatives to improve factory efficiency and field operations, aiming to move the industry beyond bulk exports toward higher-value products.
As the Indian team completes its assessment and submits recommendations, the government aims to make strategic decisions that could transform the sugar industry, ensuring sustainability, improved productivity, and broader economic benefits for communities across Guyana.
President Dr Irfaan Ali on Saturday met with a team of investors and sugar manufacturing experts from India at State House, marking another step in the government’s efforts to strengthen and modernise Guyana’s sugar industry (office of the President photos)
Ghanaian firm teams up with engineering heavyweight ahead of signing for Guyana shallow-water block
By Kiana Wilburg
CYBELE Energy, a leading Sub-Saharan African oil and gas exploration and production company, recently announced its collaboration with engineering heavyweight, Well Expertise AS/Elemental Energies. This announcement comes just days ahead of Cy-
bele’s signing for Guyana’s shallow-water Block S7, notably the second offshore concession to be awarded following the nation’s 2022 bid round. The signing for Block 7 will take place on Tuesday. It is expected to earn the country a signing bonus of no less than US$10 million.
In a press statement, Cy-
bele said this collaboration reflects its commitment to leveraging world-class technical capabilities and strategic alliances to enhance its global energy operations.
“It underscores our focus on frontier and emerging markets, combining regional expertise with international wells engineering excellence,” the statement added.
In an exclusive comment to the Sunday Chronicle, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cybele Energy, Beatrice Mensah Tayui, noted that Wells AS/Elemental Energies will be working for Cybele on the Guyana block.
The CEO further stated, “This marks a significant milestone in Guyana’s upstream oil and gas industry, given the unique visionary PSA [Production Sharing Agreement] to boost Guyana’s energy security, a diversified resource development and grassroots inclusivity and local-content advancement.”
The agreement Cybele is poised to sign for the shallow-water block is outfitted with robust requirements for the training and employment of Guyanese. It includes a requirement for US$1 million to be provided annually to
a government training fund for five years, during which exploration and seismic work would take place.
It is important to note that the S7 block was initially awarded to Cybele in partnership with Liberty Petroleum Corporation of the USA. With Liberty no longer being part of the arrangement, Cybele will be the sole company signing and assuming all responsibilities for the block. As the lone woman-owned company just days away from signing, the CEO said, “The leadership of Guyana has made a historic and bold statement in its commitment to the advancement and empowerment of women.”
As it relates to her collaboration with Well Expertise AS/Elemental Energies, the Sunday Chronicle understands that it reflects a merger between two companies. Specifically, Elemental Energies had successfully acquired Norway’s Well Expertise AS in July 2024, creating one of the world’s largest specialist wells, subsurface, and project- management companies
The strategic merger allowed for the combining of Scotland’s leading independent wells expert with Norway’s premier well-management company, thereby establishing a comprehensive service provider with over 230 experts worldwide.
The combined entity now operates as a unified organ-
isation delivering well-engineering excellence across the full energy spectrum, from traditional oil and gas through decommissioning to low-carbon solutions, including carbon capture and storage and geothermal projects.
The merged organisation also employs over 230 wells-engineering and subsurface specialists, operating from strategic locations in Westhill, Scotland and across Norway in Stavanger, Trondheim, and Kristiansund.
In fact, operations span four continents, covering the North Sea (UK and Norway), the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. The organisation also serves a broad client base with long-term partnerships, including Equinor, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, ENI, and Shell.
CEO of Cybele Energy Beatrice Mensah Tayui
Founder of JAIN Group praises President Ali’s vision --says Guyana Digital School
By Feona Morrison
THE launch of the Guyana Digital School on Friday was hailed as the beginning of a transformative new chapter in the country’s education system.
Dr Chenraj Roychand, Founder and Chairman of the JAIN Group of Institutions (JGI), described the initiative as a monumental step that will reshape learning for generations.
Speaking at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Dr Roychand delivered a powerful tribute to President Dr Irfaan Ali’s leadership, calling the digital school “not just the inauguration of a project, but the beginning of a new era in Guyana’s education journey.”
From the outset, Dr Roychand framed the initiative as a direct reflection of the President’s ambition to empower every Guyanese learner through technology.
“Your Excellency, the Guyana Digital School stands as a testament to your extraordinary mission,” he said. “You have not only imagined a digital future, you have brought that future into the hands of every child across every village, every river, community, every home.”
According to him, President Ali’s leadership has ensured that “every learner receives equal world-class education,” and that his belief in taking education to the unreached has become the driving force behind what he called a revolutionary transformation.
Dr Roychand stressed that the initiative carries a profound promise. “The Guyana Digital School is not just a platform; it is a promise — a promise that learning will be anytime, anywhere, a promise that no child will ever be left behind due to distance or circumstance, a promise that Guyana is ready to stand proudly among the world’s most innovative and progressive nations,” he said.
He added that the effort will transform thousands of lives, giving students “the wings to dream, innovate and rise.” He emphasised that President Ali’s digital vision reaches far beyond Guyana’s borders. “Your Excellency, your vision does not stop at Guyana. You have extended this digital revolution across the entire Caribbean region,” he said. “This is leadership of the highest order, leadership that uplifts not only a nation,
Founder and Chairman of the JAIN Group of Institutions, Dr Chenraj Roychand
but an entire community of nations.”
For the JGI and Jain University, Dr Roychand said partnering on the project is a privilege rooted in their long-standing belief in education as a driver of change. “For over three decades, we have believed in the power of education to change lives. Today, we stand humbled and stand beside a nation that holds this belief with equal passion,” he noted. He pledged unwavering support to the government’s goals. “Your Excellency, we are committed not just today, but for every step ahead to support your evolutionary vision for a modern, inclusive and empowered Guyana.”
He said the institution will continue working with the Ministry of Education and its academic teams to ensure that
the Guyana Digital School becomes “a global model for transformation in school education.” Reflecting on the long-term significance of the initiative, Dr Roychand said nations secure their future by investing in education. “When a nation invests in education, it invests in its destiny,” he remarked.
He told the gathering that the project has laid the foundation for “a new generation of thinkers, innovators and leaders,” and that the digital school will illuminate the path for decades to come, inspiring young minds to “dream fearlessly and aim higher.”
According to him, the initiative strengthens Guyana’s position as “a beacon of progress in the Caribbean and the world.” Addressing students directly, Dr Roychand
shared a story about purpose and perspective. He spoke of a traveller who encountered three bricklayers and asked each what he was doing. “The first said, ‘I’m laying bricks.’
The second said, ‘I’m building a wall,’ and the third said, ‘I am constructing a school.’” Although each worker performed the same task, only one understood the deeper meaning. “I urge all of you to think like the third bricklayer,” he said. “Whatever work you do, big or small, do it with purpose. Do it with vision and pride.”
He also drew inspiration from the Chinese bamboo tree as a lesson in patience and resilience. For five years, he explained, nothing grows above the ground even though the seed is nurtured daily.
marks ‘a new era’
Then in the sixth year, it suddenly shoots up 80 feet in six weeks.
“The question is, did it grow 80 feet in six weeks or in five years?” he asked.
The truth, he said, is that “all growth was happening underground, quietly, strengthening its roots.” In the same way, he told students, progress may seem invisible, but perseverance pays off. “Your achievements are not sudden,” he said. “They are the outcome of unseen effort, resilience and discipline.”
Dr Roychand encouraged students to embrace vision and purpose as they prepare for the future. “The world needs extraordinary individuals and leaders, especially compassionate human beings and responsible global citi-
zens,” he said.
He urged them to make their country proud and affirmed that, “Guyana should be on the world map to make things happen in life, and you, as young leaders, will show the world that Guyana is the most economic, prosperous country to ever happen, with your vision and dream.”
In closing, Dr Roychand offered his deepest respect and congratulations to President Ali. “All the best, Your Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali; please accept my deepest respect and heartfelt congratulations,” he said. He also extended thanks to senior government officials and the Ministry of Education team for supporting the national digital education mission.
WHEN Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond told the Guyana Police Force that “public trust is the currency on which policing survives,” she highlighted the main issue in local law enforcement.
The problem is not a lack of buildings or equipment, but a loss of confidence. The government’s significant investments—37 new and improved police facilities, five new command centres in 2025, thousands of body cameras, and a larger Safe City surveil-
lance network—are important.
However, concrete and cameras cannot fix a reputation damaged by abuse, corruption, and neglect. Only a clear and disciplined break from a culture of impunity can achieve that.
Walrond’s reaffirmation of a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct, following allegations against senior officers involving female subordinates, admits that the abuse of power is real. These issues are not exceptions. They point to deeper problems in su-
pervision, discipline, and ethics.
To her credit, Walrond has been clear. She talks about building a Police Force “Guyanese can trust.” She insists that the “authority of the uniform” means nothing without accountability and warns that “resources alone cannot protect the reputation of this institution; only integrity, discipline, and leadership can.”
That is the right assessment. But the solution must go beyond speeches, discussions, and internal reviews to real guarantees.
This includes independent civilian oversight of complaints, transparent reporting on disciplinary results, and protection for whistleblowers within the Force. Without these measures, “zero tolerance” risks becoming just a catchphrase.
A state can build a modern training academy, open new stations from Imbotero to Paramakatoi, and invest over $34 billion into the Police Force in a single budget, yet still leave citizens feeling afraid of, rather than safe
Dr. Ali, his gov’t must be commended for their forward-thinking policies Prioritising trust
with, those in uniform. Guyana’s growth demands a similar shift in policing culture. It must be based on empathy, restraint, and service, not just capacity.
Walrond’s statement that “the time for decisive leadership…is now” should be taken seriously. The government has done the groundwork, and the approach to policing must change. Every new station should serve as a gateway to justice that ordinary people can genuinely trust.
Dear Editor,
I WRITE to commend His Excellency, President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali, and the Government of Guyana for the significant and forward-thinking policy measures announced in observance of the 2025 International Day for Persons with Disabilities.
These announcements reflect a strong commitment to ensuring that all citizens, regardless of disability status, are able to participate fully and meaningfully in national development.
The President’s directive that a minimum of 10 per cent of space in every
new government project be dedicated to supporting persons living with disabilities is a landmark policy shift. This approach aligns with international standards on accessibility and embodies the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). By integrating accessibility at the design and planning stages, the government is demonstrating thoughtful and inclusive leadership, one that acknowledges that accessible environments are essential to dignity, independence, and equal opportunity.
The announcement of a one-off $50,000 cash grant for all persons living with disabilities, representing $1.4 billion in direct support to more than 27,000 citizens, is also deeply commendable.
While financial assistance cannot address every challenge faced by the disability community, this measure provides timely relief to individuals with disabilities who often encounter additional costs related to healthcare, mobility, and specialised services.
It illustrates a powerful message that the government recognises these
realities for persons with disabilities.
Equally transformative is the President’s commitment, in partnership with the private sector, to create at least 5,000 job opportunities for persons living with disabilities within the next five years.
Employment is one of the most impactful pathways to empowerment, self-reliance, and long-term inclusion. By setting clear targets, the government is positioning Guyana to lead by example in promoting disability-inclusive economic growth.
From a holistic stand -
point, these initiatives mark an important moment in our country’s ongoing efforts to build a more equitable and inclusive society. They reflect the values of fairness, dignity, and unity that underpin the One Guyana vision.
The government’s leadership in this regard is both commendable and encouraging.
As Guyana advances these commitments, continued collaboration with civil society, disability organisations, and persons with disabilities themselves will be pivotal to ensuring effective and sustainable
implementation. These efforts have the potential to deepen national inclusion and strengthen social cohesion for generations to come.
In this spirit, I extend sincere commendation to His Excellency President Ali and his government for their strong leadership in advancing disability inclusion. These actions demonstrate not only good governance but a deep respect for the inherent value and potential of every Guyanese citizen.
Anti-government hate has backfired
I POSITED in several columns on this page, since the results of the 2025 general and regional elections, that the personality and style of President Dr Irfaan Ali contributed profoundly to the crossover vote and the total votes the PPP/C received.
Ali, in contrast to his opponents, did not come across as crass, abusive and wild. These characteristics were in comparison to the opposition parties. Opposition parties suffered from the lunacy of the lunatic fringe. While the opposition could not be held responsible for the morbid and scatological dictionary of those racist extremists who sit on the negative fence of social media, the opposition did not denounce them, and in fact, in one instance, Aubrey Norton showered praise on one of them.
Azruddin Mohamed laughed at APNU during the campaign. While the PNC, the WPA and the AFC were cussing down, Ali did not. It may explain why he stole
PNC votes because PNC supporters were turned off at Lincoln Lewis, David Hinds, Rickford Burke, Mark Benschop, Aubrey Norton and Terrence Campbell, among others.
We think we know this country, but maybe we don’t.
Things are not what they appear to be. I have a theory of Guyanese politics that argues that all anti-government critics, including political parties and civil society groups, were rejected by the Guyanese people because anti-hate insanity, which began with the victory of the PPP/C in the 2020 election, reached the point of dead effectiveness because people just got deeply resentful about the stuck record of anti-government hate.
What we have in this country is not anti-government critiques, anti-government polemics, or anti-government reasoning. The term for it is anti-government hate, and in 2023, it reached the point of diminishing returns.
The PNC, AFC, ANUG, Guyana Human Rights Association, Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Red Thread, and Transparency InstituteGuyana Chapter could have gotten more receptivity from their criticism of the government if their condemnations of the government were measured, reasonable, rational and mature.
But it wasn’t criticism; it was and still is a daily outpouring of hate. People just got fed up with the hate. Once they read and listened, it was the same thing over and over.
It went like this – the PPP leaders are the most terrible rulers in the world, and they do not do anything good for Guyana. People rejected that permanent sermon because they think it was insane rambling. Of course, it hasn’t stopped.
I learnt something valuable about Guyanese society during two episodes of the Freddie Kissoon Show. We had Christopher Ram as our
guest. Shortly after, we had Lenox Shuman. On a Facebook posting or a podcast, you can tell the reaction to the programme because there is an inbuilt system of registering the number of viewers. Christopher Ram is hyped up by the Stabroek News, which has given him more coverage than any newspaper in any part of the world has given a non-politician at the moment. But how much do we think we know this country? The viewership of Ram’s interview was less than a third of what Shuman got. I could not believe it, nor could the co-host Leonard Craig. How do you explain that fact? Ram is one of the leading attackers on the government, yet he had limited viewership. More people wanted to hear what Shuman had to say about Guyana than Ram. The reason is they anticipated what Ram would say because, like the GHRA, the Stabroek News, the Kai-
eteur News, David Hinds and others, they know it would be an anti-government, insane ranting.
I am convinced in my mind that David Hinds is absolutely ineffective because he comes across as unsound. He keeps the mentally limited supporters he has, but those numbers will never increase. It is the same with Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, GHRA, Transparency Institute –Guyana Chapter, Red Thread, etc.
These people and these organisations will never accept that their anti-government insanity played a role in the election results in which President Ali was seen as the saner and more logical actor than his detractors. These people and organisations will continue to play a negative role in Guyana.
Let me give you an example that occurred last week. Opposition personality, Dr Mark France, said on the
Singapore is more democratic than Guyana. Now, when people read that, with the billions of smartphones in people’s hands, they will Google Singapore. When they do that, they may not believe further political pronouncements by Dr France. Guyana is trillions of miles ahead of Singapore on any scale that measures democratic governance.
Today, Sunday, December 7, read the editorial of Kaieteur News and Stabroek News. There will be nothing new. Not even a paragraph acknowledging any positive thing the government did. Today and tomorrow, it will be pure anti-government hate.
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.
Freddie Kissoon Show that
Justice delayed is justice denied
THIS past week, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, S.C., said a lot but actually said nothing new. Nandlall, for the record, said he would “never” seek to influence any judge or magistrate in any case that is before the court. He said, on his weekly programme, Issues in the News, he would “never” seek to prejudice the outcome of any case.
He said he was being unfairly blamed for the 2020 election fraud case not being completed to date. He said that he is “not responsible.”
The AG, in frustration, said he or the government does not control the judiciary in Guyana, but has criticised its slothfulness. Nandlall stated that the case should have been completed a “long time ago with a particular outcome.”
Nonetheless, the AG reported that he believes that “progress” is being made. Nandlall said that several dates have been set for the court case to continue in February 2026.
Firstly, no reasonable and objective person is laying
the blame at the feet of the People’s Progressive Party government ‘solely’ for the lack of progress in the 2020 elections fraud case. Those who do are neither rational nor reasonable, and must spend some time with the law.
The public, understandably, feels that both the government and the judiciary are to blame for the slothfulness and the status quo. The government, through the AG and Legal Affairs Minister, has consistently registered the general and strong concerns about the delays and slothfulness of this case.
The AG must do better and much more without appearing to influence the case or trial. He and the executive branch of government must do more to ensure that the public fully understands that the prosecution is doing its utmost to exact justice. He and other PPP/C politicians must explain the problems they are facing with this election fraud trial at the grassroots political levels. The public, through the government, must learn what is going on behind the
walls of the courtroom. And these one-off interviews are simply boring and underwhelming. Sometimes one is confused because of the prosecution’s big words and fancy language, which are hard to comprehend.
Secondly, the judiciary must take the majority of the blame. No number of excuses will suffice as to why, years later, there has not been a quantum leap in the proceedings before the courts.
There have been delays after delays with this case. There have been procedural and human resources delays that could have been avoided from the start with case management.
A section of the public feels it is deliberate and the justice system is being made to drag its feet so that there will be no justice. There are also mounting concerns about potential injustices and a perceived lack of transparency and independence within the judiciary relating to the election fraud trial.
Whatever the case may be, this is not right! And, the judiciary gives the public the feeling that justice is slow
and ineffective. The Chancellor (ag) and Chief Justice (ag) cannot be satisfied with the manner in which this case has been crawling along since 2020. Are they? They must hold the magistrates and judicial officers accountable.
The public needs to know what systems would be put in place to speed up this trial, separate from the days already set for February next year. The public needs reassurance that this slothfulness and ineffectiveness will not be allowed to take place again, especially in cases related to elections in this country.
What measures will be taken to prevent it? I am not happy at all. I am livid to see the government spend so many taxpayers’ dollars on this case.
That money could have gone to other areas. Thirdly, all of the current government’s efforts would be in vain if no outcome is achieved in the trial of the defendants, including prominent political figures and former election officials, charged with various offenc-
Alarming HIV figures in Guyana
AS the world marked World Aids Day last Monday, all Guyanese should be concerned about the rising rate of HIV-infected people in this country. According to Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, Guyana recorded 449 new cases last year, and there are 10,000 people infected nationally.
There can be no doubt that this is the result of persons engaging in unprotected sex. Clearly, we are not taking this virus seriously enough and are becoming lax in our sexual practices.
Despite the ministry’s comprehensive messaging about the effects of the virus, how it is transmitted, and methods of protection, couples are continuing to have sexual relations without using condoms.
This may be a bold statement, but it is also a sad fact, which the World Health Organization (WHO) underlined in its statement that, “HIV is spread from the body fluids of an infected person, including blood, breast milk, semen and vaginal fluids.”
The virus attacks the body’s immune system by targeting the white blood cells, making it “easier to get sick with diseases like tuberculosis, infections and some cancers.”
The WHO also tells us that treatment helps people live long, healthy lives and prevents HIV transmission. However, if HIV is left untreated, it can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
Hence, the Minister of Health has urged people to
visit clinics and get tested if they suspect they have contracted HIV.
He, however, recognised that many are reluctant to go to these facilities because of the fear of being identified and stigmatised. As such, he suggested the use of home-testing kits.
His message was clear - more has to be done to prevent the spread of HIV, given the availability of drugs which suppress HIV and prevent it from developing into AIDS.
An AI overview on Guyana stated that, “the predominant transmission route is unprotected heterosexual contact” and that, “adolescents and young people (1524) account for a significant portion of new infections.”
It also stated that the gov-
es related to manipulating election results.
Charged since 2020 are People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) activist Carol Smith-Joseph; former PNCR Chair, Volda Lawrence; former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) at the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Keith Lowenfield; former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers; former Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; and GECOM employees
Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller. Together, they are still facing 19 conspiracy charges at the end of 2025.
Additionally, the work of the CoI into the fraud that engulfed the 2020 elections would be wasted if no one were held accountable in this case.
Remember, President Irfaan Ali said in August 2021 that “Never again shall we countenance, in our country, any attempt to deny the popular will of the people… I hope and pray that never again will our people have
to endure the agonising and fearful ordeal that we suffered for five months from March 2 to August 2, 2020. Never again should the air of freedom that we breathe be poisoned by the noxious fumes of electoral malpractice and fraud.
Never again should our integrity as a nation be threatened by the base motives and the nefarious intrigues of those who will defy the will of the people, and subvert our democracy, and their lust for personal power.”
And recall that it was Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo who said in essence that justice delayed, in this sense, is a case where justice is denied. He warned that the government would be prepared to take the case all the way to the CCJ if needs be. Finally, the time is running out and the public is restlessly demanding justice.
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.
ernment is “actively working on programmes to end the epidemic, including expanding pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services and working towards the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets (95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 95% of those on treatment, and 95% of those in treatment with suppressed viral load.”
Here again, Dr Anthony pointed to the availability of the viral suppressants, which cause the virus to remain virtually undetectable and prevent its transmission.
The record for Guyana at the end of 2023 was “ 95% of people living with HIV knowing their status, 72% on treatment and 87% with suppressed viral load.”
These new statistics will definitely negatively impact
our current record, and they also reveal that people are backsliding and once more falling into a too casual approach to sexual relations. The idea is to wear condoms and prevent the transmission of HIV, get tested either at a clinic or buy a home-testing kit if you feel you have contracted HIV and get immediate treatment if you have contracted the virus. But first and foremost, PRACTICE
SAFE SEX.
In this age of growing physical and mental health concerns, prevention is defi-
nitely better than cure, because not only will the virus affect your physical health, but it will also present you with severe mental health challenges, not least of which is the stigma still surrounding sufferers.
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.
Pres. Ali builds future classrooms, Azruddin stumbles toward a Florida courtroom
WHILE President Ir faan Ali was preparing to launch a transformative project aimed at reshaping how children are taught here and across the wider Caribbean, Azruddin Mo hamed was busy embar rassing himself, stumbling over a teleprompter like a man out of his depth. That contrast captures the choice before Guyanese: serious, long‑term state craft versus a noisy fraud auditioning for high office.
Building a resilient economy for the next few generations of Guyanese is the work of serious leaders, not a circus for hustlers who specialise in chicanery and obfuscation.
The president just announced a one-off cash grant for Persons Living with Disabilities, yet Azruddin, behaving like a petulant child, dares to rant about “failed promises.” As for “We Invest in Nationhood,” the only real investment Azruddin has ever made in this country is registering that name and slapping it on his political vanity project.
The PPP/C government has invested heavily in public infrastructure, education, healthcare, and energy, with notable examples including the $122.6 billion spent in Region Ten in just five years, and unprecedented growth in drainage, road, and market access projects
across the country. The investments include major national projects such as the Bharrat Jagdeo Demerara River Bridge, new highways, and a $4 billion energy initiative in Wales and Berbice.
And while international organisations such as the IMF have praised the PPP/C for its social transfer programmes that directly benefit Guyanese, Azruddin’s track record is marred by allegations of gold smuggling, tax evasion, and being sanctioned by the U.S. for corruption and money laundering. Azruddin had one job to do: Azruddin had one simple responsibility: keep his affairs clean and run his father’s gold business by the book; he failed that basic test of integrity.
Years ago, President Irfaan Ali envisioned the establishment of the Guyana Digital School. On Friday, he launched it at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre in the presence of hundreds of students from across Guyana. They were joined, virtually, by 30,000 of their peers from across the country and the wider Caribbean to celebrate this remarkable moment.
What President Ali launched on Friday is more than a national project; it is, in effect, a new instrument of Caribbean Integration. The Guyana Digital School
is designed to give every child in Guyana, including those in remote and hinterland communities, free and equal access to quality online learning resources. By opening the platform to learners across CARICOM, it heralds a new era of regional integration by connecting students from different countries and serving as a model for digital transformation in education throughout the wider Caribbean.
President Ali has surpassed Eric Williams, Michael Manley and Errol Barrow as key architects of Caribbean integration. When a history of this decade is written, President Ali will undoubtedly emerge as the most influential driver of Caribbean Integration after the 1973 Treaty of Chaguaramas, which established a formal legal framework for CARICOM.
Contrast this accomplishment with Azruddin’s sudden concern for the poor, which rings hollow, given the billions he is accused of siphoning from the very people he now claims to champion. The real story is likely to be laid bare in a Florida courtroom when he is extradited to stand trial. If Azruddin is so concerned about cash grants ahead of Christmas, then there is nothing holding him back from accessing his secret
coffers and starting the distribution process.
Instead, Azruddin and the ragtag WIN crew have turned Facebook into their own personal soapbox, screaming that they were robbed on September 1. He and his sister have now chanted this lie multiple times. At his swearing-in as an Opposition MP, he puffed out his chest and proclaimed, “We won the elections,” then branded the PPP/C “a rigged government,” as though theatrics could substitute for evidence. In softball exchanges with friendly journalists, he insisted, “We didn’t get 109,000 votes, we won the elections,” twisting basic arithmetic into conspiracy.
He even waved a temporary shutdown of the GECOM website like a
bloody shirt, pretending a routine technical glitch was the smoking gun of fraud. From there, he tumbled into wild claims of ballot box tampering, voter intimidation, and the PPP/C “stealing” the election with state resources, hurling around phrases like “massive fraud” and “stolen elections” in videos and social media rants.
Strip away the drama, and what’s left is not a principled challenge but a man showboating for likes, trying to turn sour grapes into a national narrative. And after all the noise, he has not taken the one step that would test his claims in law: filing an Election Petition.
For those who refuse to see the contradiction, here is another. If the PPP/C stole the elections, that would
make it an unlawful government.
Which begs the question: why are Azruddin and his motley crew clamouring to have him sworn in as Leader of the Opposition? If Azruddin had an ethical spine, he should want nothing to do with a government that he claims is fraudulent and corrupt. But a question that has been nagging me for a while is this: if a man might indulge in criminal behaviour without political power, what might he do with it?
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions ex pressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guy ana National Newspapers Limited.
Strong compliance and record output continue to define Guyana’s oil and gas sector
GUYANA’S oil and gas sector continues to advance on a foundation of clearly defined rules that allow ExxonMobil and its coventurers to meet their obligations, while bringing value to their shareholders and the Guyanese people.
This is evident in the way ExxonMobil manages its exploration work and the Stabroek Block discoveries that follow. Since 2015, the company has reported 51 discoveries in total to the government, with more than 30 of those announced as significant.
Only finds that meet an established threshold are determined to be significant and are subsequently announced publicly. But every single discovery, regardless of scale, is required by law to be reported to the Government of Guyana.
ExxonMobil has repeatedly affirmed that it continues to fulfil this obligation, and the Ministry of Natural Resources has confirmed that each Notice of Discovery has been filed as required. This is a routine part of the regulatory process, grounded in law and Exxon’s contractual obligations. The transparency of this system remains one of the unsung strengths of the sector’s development.
With this kind of discipline fostered through the constructive relationship between the government and oil companies, Guyana’s production story has become one of the most compelling globally. With four floating production vessels operating offshore, the country’s output recently reached 900,000 barrels per day (b/d). Each project to date has come online on or ahead of sched-
ule, distinguishing Guyana from many global deepwater provinces.
The production rampup continues to be safe and incident-free, which speaks to the operational standards applied across ExxonMobil’s activities and strong oversight from the government.
The Uaru project is advancing and is expected to push national production capacity beyond the one-million-barrel bpd mark in 2026. That scale of output places Guyana among the world’s most significant new oil producers and gives the country the resources it needs for long-term economic planning.
As production grows, Guyana’s crude is also reaching a wider range of global markets. In recent months, shipments have gone to destinations not usually associated with Guyanese crude. More refineries around the world are processing this light to medium sweet oil, giving Guyana a broader international footprint.
At the same time, ExxonMobil and its partners continue to support the wider development agenda being driven by the government. Through the Greater Guyana Initiative, they fund programmes that help local businesses build capacity and improve competitiveness.
The Centre for Local Business Development remains an important institution in this effort, offering training and guidance that support broad economic diversification, in keeping with the government’s policy agenda. Across the country, businesses continue to examine ways in which they can capitalise on the growing
opportunities, not only in oil and gas, but across multiple sectors. Recent events by groups like the Guyana Oil and Gas Energy Chamber and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association continue to be underlined, not just by a celebration of the gains made in the private sector so far, but also by what is to come.
Guyana’s ambitions around natural gas now add another dimension. The government is pursuing a gasbased development strategy beyond what is underway in Wales, with new opportunities being explored in Berbice. ExxonMobil recently collaborated with the government on an investment summit aimed at unifying planning among interested investors.
This potential spans expanded gas-fired power generation, fertiliser production, gas-based manufacturing, and the development of large-scale data centres. These projects can revolutionise the local economy in ways that build on progress made from upstream oil development.
Affordable and reliable energy will be central to these industries, and ExxonMobil’s gas projects are central to making that vision possible. Taken together, these developments reflect a sector that continues to meet its obligations while collaborating with the government for sustainable development.
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.
Local excellence showcased at ‘One Guyana Christmas Village and Supermarket’
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Friday evening, described the One Guyana Supermarket as “a showcase of local excellence, a marketplace of dreams where every product tells a story of dedication and belief,” as he officially opened the One Guyana Christmas Village and Supermarket.
Now a hallmark event, the Christmas Village and Supermarket has come to signal the official start of the festive season in Guyana.
“Whether it is cassareep, pepper sauce, craft, snacks or clothing, these are more than items. They are expressions of our culture and evidence of our potential, because small businesses create big possibilities,” President Ali said.
Stating that he wants citizens to be part of the country’s transformation, the head of state emphasised that development must never be limited to headlines but must be felt in every household.
He noted that the progress Guyanese see is not accidental. It is the result of deliberate planning, investment and the government’s confidence in its people.
Dr Ali said that in 2026, even greater opportunities will reach every Guyanese.
He added that Guyana’s future is bright because its people are talented and capable.
The president reminded the public that the road to One Guyana is shaped by simple acts of kindness. He said local creators and entrepreneurs continue to offer the
extraordinary gift of Guyanese excellence and urged citizens to remember that buying local helps to build local industries.
To further support this effort, President Ali announced that First Lady Arya Ali has introduced a new feature to this year’s Christmas activities: the Farmers’ Christmas Market on the Kingston Seawall Esplanade in Georgetown.
The event is scheduled for December 18 to 21, 2025, from 17:00 hours to midnight. This initiative, along with the One Guyana Christmas Village and Supermarket, will provide income opportunities for entrepreneurs, farmers and all others who produce local goods.
The One Guyana Christmas Village and Supermarket (Delano Williams photo)
Guyana’s tourism sector records major growth ahead of 2026 push
MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, has reiterated the significant transformation taking place within the local tourism sector. She noted that, with several major hotels under construction, new restaurants and entertainment venues opening, and Guyana now hosting multiple major international conferences each year, more Guyanese are also choosing to travel within the country.
Responding to a request
awards, nominations and recognitions. These include the Bronze Award for Exhibition Design at Japan Expo 2025 and the Destination of the Year Award for Natural Attractions from the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association in 2025. She added that another major accolade for Destination Guyana will be announced in the coming weeks.
Sharing similar sentiments, President Dr Irfaan Ali said visitor arrival data for the period January to Oc-
Guyana is projected to close 2025 with at least a 20 per cent rise in total arrivals. He said this will represent the highest annual total in the country’s tourism history and reinforces the view that Guyana’s global moment has arrived and continues to gain strength.
Recent reports also indicate that the strides made in 2025 will help ensure that the national economy and the communities where tourism is promoted continue to benefit.
she made at the start of her tenure, a number of hotels have introduced special rates for Guyanese residents to enjoy local tourism experiences.
At Friday’s opening of the Christmas Village on Main Street, Minister Rodrigues stated that Guyana’s rising tourism profile continues to gain global attention. Between 2020 and 2025, the country has received more than 17 international
tober 2025 shows that Guyana has already surpassed last year’s numbers. He noted that October 2025 was particularly strong, recording a 28.9 per cent year-on-year increase and welcoming approximately 42,306 visitors.
The January to October period reflects an overall increase of 24 per cent compared to the same period in 2024.
President Ali added that if current trends continue,
Director of the Guyana Tourism Authority, Kamrul Baksh, stated that Guyana is well-positioned for a strong future under the leadership of Minister Rodrigues and President Ali.
He noted that 2026 will see an even more intensified push in the tourism sector, with the government expected to focus on the areas that show the greatest potential for expansion and long-term impact.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, recently unveiled six new community-led and nature-based tourism experiences in the Rupununi
East Coast Demerara road expansion 84 % complete
CONSTRUCTION on the US$192 million East Coast Demerara Road Widening and Improvement Project is progressing steadily, with overall works now 84 per cent complete.
This is according to the Ministry of Public Works, which said that significant strides have been made along the Railway Embankment corridor between Sheriff Street and the Ogle Roundabout, where the asphalt surface has been fully paved.
The ministry said the newly laid roadway will offer commuters a smoother and more durable driving experience. The next phase of work in this section includes road markings, the installation of traffic lights and signs, and new lighting for the four-lane carriageway.
These final works will prepare the corridor for full
use as construction continues eastward.
Beyond the paved sections, reconstruction is ongoing on several key bridges at Plaisance, Success, La Bonne Intention (LBI), Mon Repos and Foulis.
The bridge at Foulis is already “substantially complete”, with only approach and railing works outstanding. Bridge works began in November and are scheduled for completion by January 2026.
The China Railway First Group Company Limited is executing the project. It involves expanding the Railway Embankment road into a four-lane highway from Sheriff Street to Enmore.
The project will also see the construction of a new four-lane road from Enmore to Orange Nassau, Mahaica. It encompasses a compre -
hensive reconstruction of the entire Railway Embankment alignment, which includes the construction of 42 new bridges and 77 culverts, of which 29 bridges and 70 culverts have been completed. Once completed, the project will significantly enhance connectivity along the stretch. It will also facilitate easing the traffic congestion, promoting easier commuting and investments through improved accessibility. (DPI)
Works ongoing at the East Coast Demerara road expansion project
Celebrating Guyanese women in aviation: Stories of determination, skill, and sky-bound dreams
AS the world commemorates World Aviation Day 2025, Guyana joins the global spotlight with a powerful tribute to the women who continue to reshape and elevate the nation’s aviation sector.
Celebrated annually on December 7, World Aviation Day honours the establishment of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 1944 and recognises the critical role that aviation plays in connecting people, economies and cultures.
This year, Guyana is highlighting the remarkable contributions of Guyanese women who have earned their licences and taken their place in fields traditionally dominated by men - engineering, piloting, drone operations, quality assurance, and air traffic control.
From hinterland villages and riverine communities to the busy airstrips and control towers of Georgetown, these women’s journeys reflect courage, discipline, and a deep belief that the sky is not a limit but an open door.
Their stories, shared in celebration of World Aviation Day 2025, underline how exposure, opportunity, mentorship and unwavering resolve can transform dreams into achievements.
DARCY CHAMBERS: FROM PARUIMA VILLAGE TO QUALITY INSPECTOR
Born and raised in Paruima Village, Region Seven, Darcy Chambers grew up surrounded by nature, machinery and a culture of resourcefulness.
As the eldest child, she spent hours assisting her father, a selftaught handyman who could repair anything with an engine. Those early lessons, though informal, built the foundation of her technical confidence and nurtured a growing fascination with machines.
Opportunities in the interior were limited, but Darcy excelled academically through the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, completing eight science-subject CXCs at Christ Church Secondary.
In 2012, inspired largely by her father’s influence, she took a bold step into the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School.
With tuition often uncertain,
her family’s faith and perseverance carried her through to graduation in 2015. She joined Roraima Airways in 2016 as an aircraft maintenance engineer. Working in a male-dominated environment brought challenges, but Darcy approached each task with determination and professionalism.
“I faced no challenges that my male colleagues didn’t also face,” she often reflects—though she acknowledges moments where she was overlooked in favour of male peers. She chose to let her work define her. After years of rigorous hands-on experience, she earned her Aircraft Maintenance Engineer’s licence, passing a demanding 12-hour oral exam at the GCAA.
Today, Darcy is the Quality Inspector at Guyair Maintenance Services Inc., where her passion for precision, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance drives her work.
Her journey from a remote village to a key technical role in civil aviation stands as a testament to the power of early exposure and unwavering ambition.
Growing up in Red Lock on the Essequibo Coast, Nicole Buchoon’s childhood was filled with long days in the rice fields, gardens and open water. Swimming gave her freedom; track and field taught her discipline.
When her family moved to Georgetown, she continued nurturing both passions at St. Joseph High School, even competing at the national level.
Nicole always envisioned a career that wouldn’t confine her to an office. The idea of becoming a pilot settled quietly in her heart from an early age, long before she ever stepped into an aircraft.
Her faith guided her path, first placing her in the aviation cabin before opening the door to her flight training in the United States.
She completed her training in 2024 and returned home with renewed purpose, passing her Air Law exam and joining Jags Aviation Inc.
There, under the mentorship of
experienced captains, she refined her skills. In September 2024, Nicole achieved one of her proudest milestones: promotion to Captain on the Islander aircraft.
Today, she flies into Guyana’s interior with gratitude and humility.
“It’s that little girl who prayed and now can fly,” she says, a reminder that determination and faith can turn even distant dreams into reality.
FELESHA JOHNSON: RISING THROUGH SCIENCE, TRAINING AND SERVICE
At just 26, Felesha Johnson has carved out an impressive and multifaceted place in Guyana’s aviation sector. Born on April 3, 1998, she grew up academically driven, excelling at Winfer Garden Primary and later earning a place at St. Stanislaus College.
A school visit to a University of Guyana career fair introduced her to two female pilots—an encounter that ignited her passion for aviation.
After writing 13 CSEC subjects and completing a year of work study at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Felesha strengthened her academic credentials with additional courses, earning top grades.
She later received a Government of Guyana scholarship to pursue flight training at Air Services Limited in 2017. When the school closed in 2018, she pivoted to serve her commitment at the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, where she still works today.
Felesha continued to grow professionally, graduating from the Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aviation School, becoming a licensed Flight Dispatcher, and later earning her Private Pilot Licence at King Sky Flight Academy in Florida in 2024.
She now serves as the Drone Operations Officer at the GCAA, supporting the safety, innovation and emerging technologies shaping Guyana’s airspace.
Her journey, marked by adaptability, perseverance and academic excellence, demonstrates how commitment to learning can propel young professionals into leadership roles in aviation’s evolving landscape.
ULYNIE OBERMULLER: A MOTHER, A PILOT AND AN EXAMPLE OF RESILIENCE
For Captain Ulynie Obermuller, who now flies the Cessna 208 and recently completed simulator training on the Beech 1900, aviation was never part of her early plans. Raised in the Lower Pomeroon River, she spent her childhood swimming, fishing and exploring the backdams.
After moving to Georgetown and attending Saint Joseph High and School of the Nations, she pursued biology at the University of Guyana, preparing for a future in medicine.
Life took a different turn. She became a young mother, married, and later experienced divorce—one of the most challenging chapters of her life. But a spark ignited years earlier during casual flight lessons in the United States returned with purpose. Amid personal upheaval, she made a difficult decision: leave her daughters temporarily to complete her flight training.
In 2020, she travelled to Ocean Aviation in Maryland, earning her Commercial Pilot Licence later that year. She worked with Roraima Airways before joining Trans Guyana Airways, where she currently serves as captain. Balancing career demands and motherhood remains her greatest challenge, but Ulynie embraces both roles with strength and determination. She encourages young women to keep pushing forward: “It’s okay to stumble, even to fall, but always stand up and keep moving. You can change your dreams, but never stop dreaming.”
Her story is one of resilience, sacrifice and triumphant return, not only to the skies but to herself.
Tisha Edwards, an Air Traffic Controller with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, grew up in North East La Penitence and found comfort in books as an only child.
In 2010, she earned a place at Queen’s College, where she developed a deep fascination with aviation.
After CSEC, she began studying Computer Science at the University of Guyana but later shifted course, gaining technical experience as a certified pest control technician.
Her entry into aviation came when the GCAA advertised vacancies for Air Traffic Controller Assistants and Aeronautical Information Management Officers.
Shortlisted for both in 2020, Tisha began intensive training—delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic—but by 2021 she completed all requirements and soon after became an Aerodrome-rated Air Traffic Controller.
For more than two years, she has been responsible for maintaining the safe, orderly flow of air traffic within Georgetown’s airspace.
Though she once dreamed of becoming a pilot, Tisha finds deep fulfillment in her role: each day offers new challenges, new lessons and an opportunity to contribute to aviation safety.
Her family’s unwavering support remains her anchor as she works toward additional controller ratings.
GILLIAN NURSE-MCCAMMON: A CIVIL AVIATION PILLAR LEAVES A LASTING LEGACY
No celebration of Guyanese women in aviation is complete without honouring Ms. Gillian Elizabeth Nurse-McCammon, whose distinguished career has left an enduring mark on the civil aviation community.
Born in Linden, Gillian began her professional journey at the Guyana Bauxite Laboratory Office before serving as a Lance Corporal in the Guyana Defence Force. Her transition into aviation came in 1992 when she joined TURN TO PAGE 16
NICOLE BUCHOON: A CHILDHOOD DREAM TAKES FLIGHT
TISHA EDWARDS: GUIDING GUYANA’S SKIES FROM THE CONTROL TOWER
AMCHAM Guyana elects first female president
THE American Chamber of Commerce of Guyana (AMCHAM Guyana) has announced a historic leadership change following its Annual General Meeting held on Friday, with Mrs Iman Khan-Cummings elected as the organisation’s first female president.
The milestone marks a new era for the chamber as it continues to strengthen commercial ties between Guyana and the United States. In a statement issued after her election, Mrs Khan-Cummings reaffirmed her commitment to advancing bilateral economic co-operation. She said she intends to focus on deepening the commercial relationship between the two countries while “building bridges, expanding opportunity, and promoting shared prosperity for businesses
President of AMCHAM Guyana, Iman Khan-Cummings
across both countries.”
During the meeting, Executive Director, Richard Leo, delivered a report on the chamber’s achievements over
the past year. He highlighted AMCHAM’s increased role in supporting bilateral trade, including the chamber’s first outbound trade mission to the Caribbean Business Conference, which opened new commercial opportunities for Guyanese and U.S. businesses. Leo also noted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service on June 30, aimed at boosting collaboration in areas such as business matchmaking, market intelligence, and trade support.
Outgoing President, Devindra Kissoon, was recognised for his leadership, which strengthened the cham-
ber’s financial standing and expanded its membership base. Ms Tandi Rampersaud was also acknowledged for her continued efforts to advance U.S.–Guyanese economic co-operation.
U.S. Ambassador Nicole Theriot commended Mr Kissoon for his service and expressed confidence in Mrs Khan-Cummings’ ability to steer the Chamber forward, reaffirming the U.S. Embassy’s support for AMCHAM’s work and the broader Guyana–U.S. partnership.
AMCHAM Guyana also confirmed a new Board of Directors representing a broad and diverse range of Guyanese and American businesses
for the 2025–2027 term. The newly elected Executive includes:
Iman Khan-Cummings as President (Corum Restaurant Group Inc.); Shyam Nokta as First Vice President (Environmental Management Consultants Inc.); Devindra Kissoon as Second Vice President/Secretary (London House Chambers); Eduardo Reple as Third Vice President (Guyana Marriott Hotel); and Fitzroy McLeod as Treasurer (National Milling Company of Guyana Inc.).
The directors elected to serve are Eshwar Thakurdin (One Communications), Alan Pitts (HESS Guyana Exploration Ltd.), German
Consuegra (Machinery Corporation of Guyana Inc.), Melissa Varswyk (Georgetown American University), Narvan Singh (Baker Hughes Guyana Inc.), Navindra Thakur (Massy Distribution Guyana Inc.), John Colling (Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Ltd.), Rosh Khan (ACE Consulting Group), Vahman Juraia (Halliburton Guyana Inc.), Rafael Nabi (Nabi Construction), Valeri Khan (Queens Atlantic Investment Inc.), Sarah Shaffie (InVentive Capital Logistics), Ayanna Watson (SOL Guyana Inc.), and Martin Cheong (SBM Offshore).
The Board of Directors for AMCHAM Guyana
Celebrating Guyanese women in aviation: Stories of determination, skill, and sky-bound...
the Civil Aviation Department as a Typist Clerk I—a role she elevated through decades of commitment, professionalism and unmatched institutional knowledge.
Rising through the ranks while balancing work and family life, she became Secretary in 2002 and later earned her degree in Public Management.
In 2015, she achieved a historic milestone as Guyana’s first female Assistant Licensing Officer, trained as a Government Safety Inspector in Personnel Licensing at the Oklahoma Aviation Academy.
Gillian’s most celebrated accomplishment is building the Personnel Licensing Department’s comprehensive record-keeping system, recognised during an ICAO ICVM assessment for its structure and reliability.
Known affectionately as “Mother PEL,” she remains admired for her warmth, humility and unwavering dedication to serving pilots, engineers and air traffic controllers across the country.
Her legacy, marked by excellence, compassion and service, continues to
FROM PAGE 14
strengthen the foundation of the GCAA.
World Aviation Day 2025 offers Guyana an opportunity not only to celebrate global achievements in flight but to recognise the exceptional women shaping its aviation future.
The stories of Darcy, Nicole, Felesha, Ulynie, Tisha and Gillian stand as powerful reminders that the sector thrives when diverse voices, skills and perspectives take flight. From engineers and drone specialists to pilots, inspectors and air traffic controllers, these women are charting new paths and inspiring the next generation to follow their own sky-bound dreams.
Their message to young women across Guyana is clear: there is space for you in aviation, and the sky is wide open.
The information and interviews presented are a product of the work of Simone Dowding, Founder and Chief Director of Purple Arts Productions, who consistently acknowledged the vital role of Guyanese women in the aviation sector.
Guyana must ‘digitise quickly’ to keep pace with global transformation
GUYANA must accelerate its national digitisation agenda if it is to keep pace with the accelerating global technological transformation, President Dr Irfaan Ali warned on Friday.
Speaking at the launch of the Guyana Digital School at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the president said the country cannot afford to fall behind as the fourth industrial wave reshapes every major sector of the global economy at unprecedented speed.
He stressed that urgency is essential. “We must digitise, and digitise quickly,” he said, warning that nations that hesitate risk being locked out of future economic opportunity. Referencing the impact of earlier technological revolutions, he noted, “In the 20th century, the computer revolution reshaped the modern economy, but it also deepened global inequality because many countries entered late and unprepared. Guyana cannot afford to repeat that mistake, not now, not when the fourth wave is moving even faster and the stakes are even higher.”
President Ali said the government’s push to digitise public sector services, expand online government platforms, improve data systems and support digital banking solutions is part of a deliberate strategy to transition Guyana into a modern, competitive economy.
Citizens are already interacting with the state through more online portals, he said, and financial institutions are expanding mobile banking, electronic payments and digital wallet systems to increase efficiency and access.
Defending the scale of the government’s investment, he said the direction of the world leaves no room for hesitation. “Some may ask, why is the government investing so heavily in digitisation? Why are we racing toward digital education, digital infrastructure, digital services?” he said.
“And I will answer them simply; the future of the world will be digital, the
future of the economy will be digital, and the future of work will be digital.”
He insisted that the effort is strategic and grounded in economic reality. “We are not investing to be fashionable.
We’re not investing to please consultants. We’re not investing to follow global trends blindly. We’re investing because this is where global opportunity is being created. Digital technology is now the backbone of every major industry.”
The president described a world rapidly reorganising itself around digital capability.
“Healthcare is already shifting to telemedicine, digital diagnostics and AI-assisted imaging and surgery. Agriculture is adopting precision farming, drones, sensor-driven irrigation and predictive analytics. Manufacturing is moving to robotics, 3D printing and automated supply chains, while the financial sector is changing through FinTech, blockchain, mobile banking and digital wallets.”
He added that “Transport is modernising with autonomous systems, smart logistics and electric mobility. Governance itself is transforming through digital public services, secure data platforms and integrated systems that reduce corruption and increase efficiency.”
As for education, he said the Guyana Digital School will play a central role in this transition, noting that “Education is shifting to digital platforms, personalised learning, virtual classrooms and hybrid models.”
Dr Ali said Guyana must be ready to participate in this transformation, not observe it from the sidelines. “Guyana cannot stand on the sidelines and watch this transformation pass us by. We cannot be spectators in a game where the rules are being rewritten daily,” he said. Instead, the country must pivot fully into a new era of knowledge and innovation.
“We must move from a resource-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, TURN TO PAGE 20
President Dr. Irfaan Ali speaking at the launch of the Guyana Digital School
GGDMA urges miners to boost declarations, warns against illicit buyers
THE Guyana Gold and Diamond Miners Association (GGDMA) is calling on all miners to ramp up their gold declarations as the country works towards meeting its 2025 national targets. Making the appeal in a statement issued on
Saturday, the association stressed that the sustainability of the mining sector depends on transparency, lawful trading and a united effort to stamp out illicit channels.
According to the statement, the GGDMA is once
again urging miners to ensure that all gold is sold exclusively to the Guyana Gold Board (GGB) or to licensed dealers approved by the relevant authorities.
Licensed buyers, the association noted, include dealers authorised by the
The GGDMA is calling on all miners to ramp up their gold declarations as the country works towards meeting its 2025 national targets
GGB and licensed traders approved by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC).
Moreover, the association cautioned miners against selling to “roving traders” or illegal landings; operations the GGDMA described as establishments where illegal gold buyers set up shop to buy directly from unethical miners without any paper trail.
These practices, the GGDMA said, are often tied to smuggling networks that deprive the state of significant revenues in taxes and royalties and could be linked to other illicit activities.
To protect themselves and maintain accurate records of their contributions to the national economy, miners were reminded to keep all receipts and transaction documents.
The association further advised miners to request periodic statements from their gold dealers and take these statements to the Guyana Gold Board to verify that the information matches what has been reported to the GGB.
This step, it said, is essential to ensure that declarations are properly recorded
and that all related taxes are correctly paid to the government.
Miners were also urged to confirm the legitimacy of buyers before completing or engaging in any transaction. Lists of approved dealers and licensed traders are publicly available on the Guyana Gold Board and GGMC websites, the association stated, adding that miners are encouraged to consult these resources to ensure compliance.
Additionally, the GGDMA reminded miners that paying workers with gold is illegal. Practices such as the “Blai box,” where workers are compensated with gold rather than wages, must not be allowed, the association said. Gold, it emphasised, should only be used in transactions involving approved buyers or the Guyana Gold Board.
The association also appealed to legitimate small and medium-scale miners to distance themselves from “rogue elements” who pose as small operators while engaging in illegal mining or smuggling. Such activities, the GGDMA stressed, have no place in Guyana’s mining sector.
from dependence on extraction to dependence on invention, industrialisation and innovation, from lowskilled labour to high-skilled digital talent.”
The Guyana Digital School launch, he said, is a key step in ensuring that every child, regardless of location, can participate in that future.
Guyana’s digitisation drive is a sweeping national effort to modernise the country by transforming public services, expanding digital education, integrating advanced technologies into healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing and transport, and strengthening secure data systems across government. It also accelerates the use of digital banking and electronic payment platforms as the nation shifts from traditional, paper-based and resource-dependent systems to a fast, efficient and innovation-driven digital ecosystem capable of competing in the rapidly evolving global technological landscape.
GWI speeds up major East Coast water upgrades
THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is advancing a series of transformational upgrades along the East Coast Demerara (ECD) corridor to significantly enhance the quality, reliability, and reach of potable water service to thousands of residents.
A press release from the utility company noted that substantial improvements have been made to the Friendship Water Treatment Plant, which is designed to supply communities from Strathspey to Buxton. These upgrades include the installation of a new generator set (genset) to guarantee continuous production during power fluctuations, as well as the addition of new filters to improve overall treatment efficiency and water quality.
To further strengthen service delivery, GWI is currently drilling a new well at Friendship to boost the plant’s production capacity and ensure a consistent water supply across the distribution network.
Recently, GWI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Shaik Baksh, accompanied by members of a technical team, visited several GWI facilities along the East Coast Demerara Corridor to assess the progress of various improvements that are being made to the water infrastructure. The team expressed confidence that residents will soon experience measurable upgrades
in water pressure, continuity, and quality.
As part of GWI’s coastal modernisation programme, a brand-new water treatment plant has been constructed at Bachelor’s Adventure. This facility is scheduled to be commissioned soon and will significantly improve treated water coverage from Coldingen to Nabaclis. In addition to the major works at Friendship and Bachelor’s Adventure, a new well is now in the testing phase at Annandale and works have been completed for a new well, which was drilled at La Bonne Intention (LBI).
To complement these upgrades, GWI has also commenced drilling a new well at Mon Repos and a site has been identified for a well to be drilled at Better Hope. These wells are expected to stabilise production, improve water pressure, and build resilience within the network, particularly during periods of peak demand.
Looking ahead, GWI is preparing to construct a new surface-water treatment plant at Hope which will benefit residents from Cove & John to Cane Grove. This modern facility will significantly expand treated-water coverage and align with national efforts to deliver high-quality potable water to all households.
Baksh reaffirmed GWI’s commitment to high-quality service, noting that these
projects form part of the Government of Guyana’s broader investment in water sector modernisation.
“GWI remains focused on ensuring that every community receives reliable access to clean, treated water. These works along the East Coast represent a major step forward as we continue to upgrade infrastructure, expand production, and meet the needs of a rapidly developing region,” the CEO stated.
Plans are in place for new wells to be drilled at Non-Pariel and Le Ressouvenir to boost the water supply.
80 more vending spots, food court, among new facilities for Leonora Market
THE Leonora Market in Region Three on the West Coast of Demerara is slated for major upgrades, including expanded facilities and an enhanced environment for both vendors and shoppers, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand announced on Saturday.
The upgrades include roofing the current open-air tarmac within the next eight weeks, which will create about 80 additional vending spots, a food court, more sanitary facilities, and a new jewellery section. This adds to the more than 200 vendors already lawfully operating in the market on Saturdays.
“Markets are a part of our culture and are necessary both for our cherished vendors and shoppers,” the minister said, highlighting the importance of maintaining clean, safe, and orderly market spaces.
She stressed that the government is working to ensure “all our markets have a standard about which we can all be proud. Solid structures, good ventilation, excellent sanitation and sanitary facilities, security, drainage that works, good lighting and adequate electrical connections, access to water, conducive spaces and market committees that understand their role.”
Manickchand also ad -
dressed the challenges vendors face when illegal, ad hoc vending occurs on roadways. She said these practices not only disadvantage market vendors but also pose environmental and safety hazards.
“We have received numerous publicly made complaints about the disadvantage vendors who utilise inside markets face when illegal, ad hoc vending happens on the road. We have seen how environmentally hazardous this is to all stakeholders, and we know how unsafe the roadways become when encumbrances are allowed to occupy highways and roadways,” he said.
Minister Manickchand encouraged citizens to focus
on building a more orderly Guyana, emphasising that distractions from those who exploit vulnerabilities should not derail progress.
“Distractions from folks who capitalise on vulnerabilities are meant to do just that: distract from a beautiful, clean, orderly Guyana that we know is possible, that our children and generations deserve,” she said.
The minister shared that meetings with design consultants were held recently to finalise plans for the renovations. Photographs from these meetings, as well as of vendors using the designated tarmac area at Leonora, were also released to highlight the orderly approach being taken.
She posed a challenge to the nation about the type of country it wishes to build.
“What do we want as a country? A clean, orderly system that is fair and predictable? Or one where disorder and chaos prevails and from which no one really benefits in the long run? These are the questions this new Guyana must ask and answer. To -
using the designated tarmac area
gether we can, together we must. Together we will. Do not be distracted from what is possible,” Manickchand said.
The renovations at Leonora Market are part of a broader effort to modernise markets across Guyana, ensuring they meet high standards of safety, sanitation, and convenience for both vendors and shoppers.
Vendors
at the Leonora Market
Prospect solar plant comes online, delivering clean power to East Berbice
By Bebi Shafeah Oosman
THE Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) on Saturday officially commissioned the new 3-megawatt Solar Photovoltaic Farm at Prospect, East Berbice, Corentyne, Region Six, marking a significant milestone in Guyana’s ongoing transition toward cleaner, more resilient energy systems.
The event brought together several high-level officials and development partners, including Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d)
is a tangible demonstration of our energy strategy at work.”
He further noted that the launch at Prospect forms part of a growing “national constellation” of solar installations. Several other large projects are already completed or nearing completion, including sites at Hampshire in Region Six, Charity in Region Two, and Trafalgar in Region Five. According to Phillips, each facility contributes to an integrated framework of renewable energy infrastructure that strengthens the Guyana Power and Light
GY$1.2 billion investment in clean energy infrastructure.
The facility features 4,928 solar modules mounted on corrosion-resistant aluminum structures and powered through eight high-efficiency inverters.
Built for durability, the system can withstand wind speeds of up to 244 km/h and is integrated into the Demerara–Berbice Interconnected System through a newly constructed 13.8kV spur line connected to the Canefield F3 feeder, he stated. Once fully operational, the solar farm is
Mark Phillips; Chairman of Region Six, Junior Basant; Lorena Solorzano, Country Representative of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Alphonso De Armas, Director General of the Ministry of Public Utilities and Aviation.
Prime Minister Phillips, in his speech, stated that the solar farm stands as a technical achievement and a national promise. “Every renewable project that we commission is another step towards an energy system that is modern, affordable, reliable and resilient, and by extension will lead to a brighter future for Guyana.”
Beyond that, he said, the project reflects the values of the government “that is committed to lifting the quality of life for every Guyanese in every community.” The Prime Minister pointed out that across the country, the electricity demand continues to grow.
“Meeting that demand responsibly is a matter of national priority; today’s commissioning is therefore not a ceremonial milestone, but it
(GPL) network and improves energy security across several regions.
“Every new site represents reliability for families, reduced expenditure for households and businesses, and a modernised grid capable of supporting industrial growth,” he said.
The new solar plant at Prospect will supply clean, stable power to the rapidly developing East Bank Berbice corridor while reducing pressure on the Demerara–Berbice Interconnected System. Using modern inverters, smart controllers, and battery-ready technology, it stands among the most sophisticated GPL renewable installations to date. As such, the Prime Minister pointed out that the area is experiencing booming residential, commercial, and industrial activity, making the new plant strategically important for sustaining the region’s economic potential.
Developed under the Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Programme (GUYSOL), the Prospect Solar Farm represents a
noted, electricity costs on the national grid will fall by 50 per cent, delivering unprecedented benefits for households, small businesses, and large-scale manufacturing.
Further, he noted, that to support rising national demand, the government has already added between 108 and 126 megawatts of new generation capacity through the Garden of Eden plant, emergency installations at the Columbia substation, and the temporary integration of two power ships. The Prime Minister emphasised that these additions are “strategic reinforcements,” ensuring the country’s rapid pace of
development is not hindered by energy shortages.
He noted that hinterland communities are also benefitting from the expansion. Hydropower facilities have been built or refurbished at Makaromoko, Kumu, and Kato, while solar farms at Lethem, Bartica, Mabaruma, Mahdia, and Leguan are now delivering power to thousands of residents.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman, Junior Basant, emphasised the importance of energy security, climate responsibility, and economic diversification. “These priorities are reflected in this project. We are strengthening
our grid, lowering energy costs, decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels, and increasing access to clean energy in communities across the nation by utilising the power of our plentiful sunshine.” He added that the solar farm is an investment in people rather than just infrastructure. “It stands for opportunities, jobs, and a cleaner environment for future generations. It demonstrates how renewable energy initiatives can promote national development while preserving our natural heritage and is consistent with Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy.”
expected to generate 4,800 megawatt-hours of electricity annually, providing enough clean power for thousands of households. It will also help reduce Guyana’s carbon footprint by more than 3,200 tonnes of CO₂ each year, while saving an estimated GY$210 million in fossil fuel costs.
The Prospect project is one component of the broader GUYSOL initiative, which includes the construction of eight solar farms totaling 33MWp across Regions Two, Five, Six and 10. In Region Six alone, Prospect joins the Hampshire and Trafalgar locations, adding 10MWp of solar capacity to the Berbice region.
The Prime Minister reiterated that renewable energy is part of a broader national transformation, not a standalone initiative. Central to this transformation is the flagship Gas-to-Energy Project in Wales, West Bank Demerara, where construction is progressing on a 300-megawatt combined-cycle plant and a natural gas liquids facility. Once operational, he
The new solar plant at Prospect will supply clean, stable power to the rapidly developing East Bank Berbice corridor while reducing pressure on the Demerara–Berbice Interconnected System
Youth sentenced to life imprisonment for murder of girlfriend
LINDEN Benjamin, a 25-year-old security guard, was on Friday sentenced to life imprisonment, with the possibility of parole after 30 years, by Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif at the Demerara High Court for the murder of his 31-year-old girlfriend, Lisa George.
Benjamin previously appeared before Magistrate Rushelle Liverpool at the Sparendaam Magistrates’ Court, charged with the capital offence of murdering
George on April 26, 2023, at her ‘C’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown home.
After a preliminary inquiry, a prima facie case was established against him, and he was committed to stand trial at the Demerara Criminal Assizes.
Prosecutors, attorneys Darin Chan and Latifah Elliot, presented the State’s case before the High Court, while Benjamin was represented by attorney Beulah Williams. The court heard that Benja-
min stabbed George 25 times during a domestic dispute after she refused to unlock her cellphone. The Guyana Chronicle understands that the couple were in a relationship for several months, and Benjamin had recently moved in with George and her two children, aged six and 12.
According to reports, the victim’s 12-year-old son told police that Benjamin frequently abused his mother.
On the day of the murder, the boy said he and his sister were
asleep in their mother’s bed when he was awakened by her screams for help.
Benjamin was reportedly stabbing her at the time. The children alerted other relatives in the house, who managed to remove the knife from Benjamin. George, however, sub-
sequently lost consciousness and died at the scene.
A post-mortem examination revealed that she suffered 25 stab wounds, one of which penetrated her chest and severed her aorta, causing fatal blood loss.
Benjamin was remanded to prison following his initial court appearance in 2023 and remained in custody while awaiting sentencing.
Justice Chandra-Hanif’s ruling now ensures that he will serve a minimum of 30 years before becoming eligible for parole.
Justice Priscilla Chandra-Hanif
Dead: Lisa George
Linden Benjamin
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Hislop battles prostate cancer
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC ) – Former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Shaka Hislop has revealed that he is battling prostate cancer.
The 56-year-old, who played and starred in the country’s first ever and only World Cup appearance in 2006, opened up about his fight with the cancer in a social media video.
Hislop, who now works as an ESPN analyst, said he first got the news 18 months ago after an annual physical.
“An MRI and biopsy quickly determined that I had a fairly aggressive prostate cancer,” he said in a video posted on Wednesday.
Hislop explained that by the middle of 2025, the cancer had spread to his pelvic bone.
Earlier last week, he revealed that he had completed over seven weeks of radiation therapy.
Hislop, who played in the English Premier League for Newcastle United and West Ham United, urged men to undergo regular check-ups.
“Doctors recommend that all men over the age of 50 get their PSA (prostate-specific antigen) checked regularly. If you are of African descent, that age drops to 40,” he said.
n Scorecard
NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 231
WEST INDIES 1st innings 167 NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings 466-8 dec’d WEST INDIES 2nd innings (overnight 212 for four)
John Campbell c Bracewell b Duffy 15
Tagenarine Chanderpaul c Latham b Duffy ............ 6
Alick Athanaze c Foulkes b Bracewell 5
Shai Hope c +Latham b Duffy ............................ 140
*Roston Chase c Latham b Henry 4
Justin Greaves not out ...................................... 202
Sunday, December 07th, 2025
+Tevin Imlach lbw b Foulkes 4 Kemar Roach not out .......................................... 58 Extras (b13, lb6, nb3, w1 23 TOTAL (six wickets; 163.3 overs) ....................... 457 Did not bat: Johann Layne, Jayden Seales, Ojay Shields.
Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-25, 3-55, 4-72, 5-268, 6-277. Bowling: Henry 11-4-29-1, Foulkes 33-6-80-1, Duffy 43-10-122-3, Bracewell 55-11-138-1, Ravindra 21.33-69-0
Position: Match drawn.
Player-of-the-Match: Justin Greaves.
Guyana continues track and field dominance at Inter-Guiana Games
• From Page 36
The team’s track dominance was completed by a commanding sweep of the relay events, winning all three contested races: the girls’ 4x100m, the boys’ 4x100m, and the Mixed 400m relay.
In the field, the results were equally strong. Kenetha Fraser claimed gold in the girls’ Long Jump with a leap of 5.00m, narrowly edging out French Guiana’s Emille
a second gold to his haul, dominating the Javelin competition with a best throw of 54.17m. All other IGG 2025 disciplines will conclude today, followed by a closing ceremony at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Panelle (4.98m). Teammate Shellyann Sampson secured bronze with 4.92m. The men’s Long Jump saw a Guyanese clean sweep of the top two spots, with Duel Europe (6.93m) taking gold ahead of Michael Kyte (6.63m). Versatile athlete Kaidon Persaud added
Former T&T goalkeeper Shaka Hislop
SGA leads Thunder to 14th straight win
SHAI Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 in three quarters, and the Oklahoma City Thunder defeated the Dallas Mavericks 132-111 on Friday night to claim their 14th straight win.
Gilgeous-Alexander made 10 of 12 field goals and 11 of 12 free throws to help the Thunder improve to 22-1 overall. He scored at least 20 points for the 95th straight game, the second-longest streak in league history behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 126 straight from 1961-1963. Dallas, though also dealing with several injuries, had won three straight. Star rookie Cooper Flagg, who averaged 27 points during the win streak, scored 16 on Friday.
Jaden Hardy led Dallas with 23 points. He made 8 of 13 field goals, including 5 of 9
3-pointers. Naji Marshall added 18 points for the Mavericks.
Dallas’ Anthony Davis, who averaged 20.6 points per game before Friday night, did not score in the first three quarters. He finally scored on a layup with just over eight minutes remaining. He finished with two points on 1-for-9 shooting, though he had eight rebounds and six assists.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 17 points in the first half to help Oklahoma City take a 63-48 lead at the break. The Thunder took charge in the third, outscoring the Mavericks 41-26 to go up 104-74 heading into the fourth.
Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 points in the quarter, making 5 of 6 field goals and all four free-throw attempts. (Yahoo Sports)
English Premier League
Leeds’ late leveller stuns Liverpool in six-goal thriller
LEEDS United rocked Liverpool with a stoppage-time equaliser from Ao Tanaka to cap a thrilling six-goal second half at Elland Road.
The hosts had earlier come from two goals down to level, before Dominik Szoboszlai looked to have given Liverpool a valuable three points.
But Japanese midfielder Tanaka came off the bench and scored in the sixth added minute, sparking jubilant scenes among the home support.
Following a woeful run of nine defeats in 12 games, Arne Slot’s Liverpool are now unbeaten in three, but they threw away victory on a day where once again Mohamed Salah watched on from the bench.
After a goalless first 45 minutes, Hugo Ekitike scored two goals in three minutes to
put Liverpool in control.
They looked to have a firm grip but gave Leeds a way back into the game when Ibrahima Konate fouled Wilfried Gnonto in the box.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin struck from the penalty spot for Daniel Farke’s side before Anton Stach fired an equaliser in the 75th minute.
Leeds may have sensed the game was there for the taking, but Szoboszlai finished in style five minutes later.
Yet, there was one last twist, and it came when Tanaka blasted in at the far post from a Leeds corner deep into stoppage time.
The draw for Leeds pushes them up to 16th in the Premier League, three points clear of West Ham in 18th, while Liverpool sit eighth. (BBC Sport)
South Africa name squad for ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup
SOUTH Africa revealed their 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s Under-19 Cricket World Cup to be held in Namibia and Zimbabwe from January 15 to February 6, 2026.
After having a good run in the recent youth competitions, Muhammad Bulbulia is set to lead the squad at the 16th edition of the marquee tournament.
South Africa have been drawn in Group D alongside the West Indies, Afghanistan, and Tanzania. Ahead of the global showpiece, the Proteas will face India in three Youth ODIs at Willowmoore Park, Benoni, from January 5-7, 2026.
Head Coach, Malibongwe Maketa, was inspired by the growth of the team.
“What has impressed me most is the growth these players have shown.
From meeting them as 16-year-olds to seeing who they are now, it’s clear we’re developing not just cricketers, but good young men for this country.
“Cricket-wise, their understanding of the intensity required at international level has been outstanding. They’ve gone back to work with their coaches and returned with a new level of intent at every session, exactly what’s needed to compete at a World Cup.
Maketa was also impressed with the values that the young bunch have shown.
“I’m very confident in this group. Their progress, combined with the culture we’ve built based on hard work, resilience, and
putting the team first, gives me real belief. “They’ve embraced those values with hunger and quiet confidence, and that makes me excited about what we can achieve.”
The Proteas will be taking on Afghanistan at the HP Oval, Windhoek, on January 16, in their opening match of the event.
South Africa U-19 Squad: Muhammad Bulbulia (C), JJ Basson, Daniel Bosman, Corne Botha, Paul James, Enathi Khitshini Tembalethu, Michael Kruiskamp, Adnaan Lagadien, Bayanda Majola, Armaan Manack, Bandile Mbatha, Lethabo Phahlamohlaka, Jason Rowles, Ntandoyenkosi Soni and Jorich van Schalkwyk. (ICC Media)
Muhammad Bulbulia is set to lead South Africa.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, left, during Friday night’s game
Ao Tanaka celebrates his late leveller
Jaiswal’s maiden ODI ton powers India to crushing series win
VISAKHAPATNAM, Yashasvi Jaiswal struck his maiden ODI century, while senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli smashed fluent half-centuries as India crushed South Africa by nine wickets in the series-deciding third ODI at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Saturday.
Chasing 271, India stormed to 271/1 in just 39.5 overs, completing a dominant whiteball comeback after a disappointing 0–2 Test series defeat. The win also marked India’s 10th consecutive home ODI series
Jaiswal, who became the youngest Indian to score centuries in all three international formats, remained unbeaten on 116 off 121 balls. His innings, built on patience and precision, accelerated sharply after his fifty, culminating in a sparkling maiden ODI hundred.
Skipper Rohit Sharma was the early aggressor, blasting 75 off 73 balls with seven fours and three sixes. His authoritative strokeplay earned him the Player of the Match award. The Rohit–Jaiswal opening stand of 155 runs sent South Africa on the back foot early.
After Rohit fell to Keshav Maharaj, Virat Kohli took charge with a breathtaking display of controlled aggression, hammering 65 not out off 45 balls. He reached his half-century
in just 40 deliveries, treating the crowd to a spectacular no-look six off Corbin Bosch. Kohli finished the three-match series with 301 runs, including two centuries.
Together, Kohli and Jaiswal stitched an unbeaten 116-run partnership to complete India’s emphatic win.
Kuldeep and Prasidh lead bowling fightback
Earlier, after India opted to bowl, Quinton de Kock’s superb 106 off 80 balls anchored South Africa’s total of 270 all out in 47.5 overs. De Kock shared key stands of 113 with Temba Bavuma (48) and 54 with Matthew Breetzke (24), becoming joint-highest (23) among designated wicketkeepers for ODI centuries alongside Kumar Sangakkara.
South Africa reached a strong 168/2, but India’s bowlers engineered a dramatic collapse.
Prasidh Krishna, expensive in his opening spell, returned strongly to take 4/66, including the crucial wickets of Breetzke, Markram and de Kock—whose middle stump was sent cartwheeling by a searing yorker.
Kuldeep Yadav (4/41) delivered a decisive middle-overs burst, dismissing Dewald Brevis, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch and Lungi Ngidi as South Africa lost their last eight wickets for just 102 runs.
Nations learned their World Cup venues and kick-off times on Saturday
England and Scotland find out World Cup kick-off times
ENGLAND has been handed World Cup kick-off times which suit UK audiences - but Scotland fans face later finishes during next summer’s tournament.
England will play all three of their group games in the United States, with their first two matches against Croatia, on June 17, and Ghana, on June 23, kicking off at 21:00 BST.
Their final group game against Panama on June 27, at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium where the final will be played, begins at 22:00 BST.
Scotland will play their Group C games in Boston and Miami, with their opener against Haiti on June 14 at Gillette Stadium kicking off at 02:00 BST.
Steve Clarke’s side’s next two matches, against Morocco in Massachusetts on June 19 and five-time winners Brazil in Miami on June 24, will both start at 23:00 BST.
England’s opening match in Dallas will be played under a closed roof, with air conditioning in the AT&T Stadium at 15:00 local time, because of the expected heat in Texas.
Their matches in Dallas and Bostonwhere Scotland play twice - will be on a temporary grass surface, as they normally operate with artificial turf.
England’s match in Boston kicks off at 16:00 local time, while Scotland will play at 21:00 and 18:00 in their two matches at the Gillette Stadium.
Miami, the location of Scotland’s final group match against Brazil - which will kick off at 18:00 local time - is one location extreme heat and humidity might prove an issue during next summer’s tournament.
Should they qualify through two rounds of Uefa play-off matches in March, Wales or Northern Ireland would play all three group matches at 20:00 BST. They would face Canada in Toronto on June 12, Switzerland in Los Angeles on June 18, and Qatar in Seattle on June 24. Pubs in England and Wales could stay open until 01:00 next summer if a home nation reaches the quarter-final stage, after the government launched a public consultation on extending pub licensing hours. (BBC Sport)
Torres’ hat-trick powers Barcelona to 5–3 victory against Real Betis
FERRAN Torres scored a first-half hat-trick to help fire Barcelona into a fourpoint lead at the top of La Liga with a 5-3 win over Real Betis.
Barcelona, who came into the game at Estadio La Cartuja one point clear of rivals Real Madrid, fell behind after six minutes when former Manchester United winger Antony scored his fifth goal of the season. But Betis’ lead lasted only five minutes. Torres rounded off a beautifully worked Barcelona move to tap in at close range to level the match.
Torres then gave Barcelona the lead two minutes later with a brilliant volleyed finish inside the box.
Twenty-year-old Sweden winger Roony Bardghji scored his first La Liga goal to put Hansi Flick’s side into a more commanding lead after half and hour, latching on to Pedri’s pass to finish at the near post.
The former Manchester City forward then rounded off his third career treble five minutes before half-time with an expertly placed effort from outside the box to make it 4-1.
Barcelona continued pushing in the second half and were controversially awarded a penalty after the video assistant referee (VAR) deemed Marc Bartra’s block flicked on to his hand.
Lamine Yamal coolly netted the penalty for his sixth goal of the season before Diego Llorente made it 5-2 in the 85th minute.
Betis then made the scoreline look more favourable after Jules Kounde fouled Abde Ezzalzouli in the box and Cucho Hernandez made no mistake from the spot in the 90th minute. (BBC Sport)
Ferran Torres’ last hat-trick came against Real Betis in January 2024
Jaiswal’s maiden ODI century power India to 2–1 series win over South Africa
England in tatters after dismal day in Brisbane
ENGLAND’S hopes in the second Testand the Ashes - are in tatters after a dismal and depressing third day in Brisbane.
On a Saturday that will sit alongside England’s long history of misery at a ground where they have not won since 1986, Australia tortured the visitors with the bat then applied overwhelming pressure with the ball.
To the delight of a baying Gabba crowd and in the intense atmosphere of the Queensland night, England were left in disarray at 134-6 - still 43 behind. Defeat inside three days was only narrowly avoided.
• (Scores: England 334: Root 138; Starc 6-75 & 134-6 Crawley 44; Neser 2-27, Boland 2-33 vs Australia 511: Starc 77, Weatherald 72; Carse 4-152, Stokes 3-113)
Faced with a first-innings deficit of 177, England started their second innings in the twilight against the pink ball with promisethe visitors were 45-0 from six overs at the dinner break.
Salah
As ever, England are incapable of batting well enough for long enough, and mistakes were inevitable.
Ben Duckett can feel unlucky to be bowled by a scuttler from Scott Boland, yet Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley both played feckless drives to be caught and bowled by Michael Neser.
Even Joe Root was culpable of edging Mitchell Starc, Harry Brook nicked Boland and Jamie Smith became the umpteenth England player to fall trying to drive Starc.
Ben Stokes has engineered unimaginable Ashes escapes in the past. This will not be one of them and his team is crumbling around him. The captain remains unbeaten, with him and Will Jacks both on four.
Australia were earlier led by 77 from Starc - the pace bowler adding runs to his stellar series with the ball - to keep England in the field for almost two sessions and rack up 511.
It was a slow roast in the Brisbane sunshine and the England collapse that followed was utterly predictable. (BBC Sport)
Inglis limits IPL 2026 to four matches
OF the 1,355 players who have registered for the IPL auction, five have informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) of restricted availability for IPL 2026. Ashton Agar (65 per cent) and William Sutherland (80 per cent) of Australia, Adam Milne of New Zealand (95 per cent), and Rilee Rossouw of South Africa (20 per cent) have indicated the extent of their likely participation in the season.
Josh Inglis of Australia is the fifth player with limited time. The 30-yearold wicketkeeper-batter, currently part of the ongoing Ashes Test at the Gabba, has informed the BCCI that he would feature in only 25 per cent of IPL 2026. In effect, he has conveyed to the franchises through the Board that he can take part in no more than four matches. Inglis has given himself a base price of Rs INR 2 crore.
Inglis (30) had a modest season for Punjab Kings last IPL, scoring 278 runs in 11 games. He was particularly impressive in the team’s final league fixture, producing a superb 73 off 42 balls against Mumbai Indians to help his side secure a top-two finish. In the subsequent Qualifier 2, he took on an otherwise unplayable Jasprit Bumrah,
smashing him for 20 runs in one over to seal Punjab Kings’ berth in the final.
Releasing Inglis, it is learnt, was an afterthought for Punjab Kings who, under Ricky Ponting as coach, contemplated retaining him. Eventually they decided to let him go on the final day of the retention deadline (November 15), after the player informed the franchise that the IPL schedule could clash with his wedding plans. Should any side pick him at the auction, he could be available for only a couple of weeks.
Like Inglis, Agar too has a base price of INR 2 crore, but he has never featured in the IPL - much like Sutherland, whose reserve price is INR 1 crore. Milne (33) of New Zealand has played in the IPL previously, but not in the last three seasons, during which he went unsold. His base price is also INR 2 crore.
Rossouw (36) of South Africa has appeared only intermittently since making his IPL debut in 2014, playing 22 games in all across four seasons. With chances of him being present for only three to four matches, his prospects of being picked at the auction are virtually nil. The auction is in Abu Dhabi on December 16. (Cricbuzz)
says he has been ‘thrown under the bus’ by Liverpool
MOHAMED Salah says he feels like he has been “thrown under the bus” by Liverpool and that his relationship with head coach Arne Slot has broken down.
Salah was an unused substitute in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds United - the third straight game the Egypt star has started on the bench.
After the game, the scorer of 250 goals in 420 Liverpool appearances said in an extraordinary interview with journalists: “I think it is very clear that somebody wants me to take all the blame.
“I’ve said a few times before that I have a good relationship with the manager and now all of a sudden we have no relationship. I don’t know why.
“It seems like the club is throwing me under the bus – that’s how I feel.
“This club, I will always support it. My
kids will always support it. I love the club so much and I always will.
“It [the situation] is not acceptable to me, to be fair. I don’t get it. It’s like I’m being thrown more under the bus. I don’t think I’m the problem. I have done so much for this club.
I don’t have to fight every day for my position because I earn it. I earned my position.”
Salah, 33, scored 29 times in the 2024-25 Premier League as the Reds won the title in Slot’s first season in charge.
However, he has struggled for form since as Liverpool has been unable to match the heights of last term.
Salah, who was brought to the club from Roma by Jurgen Klopp in 2017, has scored just four times in 13 top-flight appearances this season. Sources have told BBC Sport that the Saudi Pro League remains interested in Salah, who signed a new two-year Liverpool contract in April. They have indicated that Al-Hilal, managed by Simone Inzaghi, are among the teams keen on Salah.
After the Leeds game - when Liverpool led 2-0 and then 3-2 before conceding a 96thminute equaliser - Liverpool boss Arne Slot
told Sky Sports why he did not use Salah at Elland Road.
“It was more about controlling the game [at 3-2] and we didn’t need a goal,” said Slot. “Normally when you need a goal, like last week against Sunderland, I brought Mo on.”
Speaking at his pre-match news conference on Friday, Slot said he understood the talk surrounding Salah after being dropped from the team.
“The chatter, yes, because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me and [for] six or seven years. It’s completely normal people talk about it when he isn’t playing,” added Slot.
Salah, third on Liverpool’s all-time list of scorers behind Ian Rush (346) and Roger Hunt (285), made his most recent start in the 4-1 Champions League home defeat by PSV Eindhoven on November 26. (BBC Sport)
Mohamed Salah has not started Liverpool’s last three games
Joe Root was caught behind off Mitchell Starc after a review • (AFP/Getty Images)
Josh Inglis has indicated that he will be available for only 25 percent of IPL 2026 should he be picked in the auction
IGG Swimming
Suriname dominates IGG pool
... Guyana cop one gold, 2 silvers and 4 bronze medals
By Sean Devers
IN sweltering heat on Saturday at the National Aquatic Centre at Liliendaal, the Swimming segment of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) Suriname enjoyed the opening day in the pool, capturing eight gold medals. French Guiana won four golds while host Guyana claimed one.
Watched by a fair-sized gathering, which included Guyana’s Deputy Director of Sport Franklin Wilson and the Sports Minister of the Dutch-speaking Suriname, Lalinie Gopaul, Suriname and French Guiana dominated in the water. The Guyanese contingent emerged with a single gold medal, two silver medals and four bronze medals.
Swimming in the Boys 12-18 100 metres breaststroke, the 17-year-old Aarav Singh won the gold in his third outing at the IGG with a time of 1.09.93 to register a personal best.
Singh, who also swam at the Goodwill Games, said it was a good feeling to capture his gold medal after a rigorous four- week training regimen of endurance work before focusing on speed work.
The Sookram brothers Jeremy and Jeron, showed promise while their sister Jessica was a part of the 12-18 200 metres medley relay team that won the silver medal. Elissa Shipley-Thompson was also a member of that
team. Shipley-Thomson, swimming
Chase hails West Indies extraordinary effort against NZ
CHRISTCHURCH,
New Zealand, (CMC) –West Indies Test captain Roston Chase has lauded his troops for their outstanding performance which helped them earn a draw in the opening Test against New Zealand here on Saturday.
Justin Greaves stroked an unbeaten 202, Shai Hope made 140 and Kemar Roach scored an unbeaten 58, to see the West Indies up to 457 for six in pursuit of 531 for victory, before both sides agreed to a draw.
to a bit of a celebration,” Chase said.
Heading into the final session of play, the Windies required 132 runs for victory with Greaves and Roach at the crease.
Chase said while they contemplated going for the win at one point, they eventually decided to play it safe.
“Going back out at tea, the guys wanted to see if they could push for the runs, but it didn’t quite work out the way they wanted.
‘F1 Title Decider could hardly be better set up’
It was the highest total in the fourth innings of a Test match in 84 years and earned them their first drawn Test in New Zealand since 2013.
Speaking during a post-match press conference, Chase said the team was in high spirits following the result.
“I wouldn’t say that it feels like a win, but the guys are proud and the boys are quite happy, especially with the effort that it took to do it. It wasn’t something ordinary.
“It was very special for three of the guys to really stand up and put their hands up in a time of need under tremendous pressure, so the guys are really proud and looking forward
“When the last hour came and they came off at the water break, we had a discussion and they said they would just play it out and we didn’t think it was a bad idea at that time, so we were happy for them to just try and play it out and that’s what they did,” Chase explained.
The skipper was full of praise for Hope and Greaves, who added 196 runs for the fifth wicket, along with Greaves and Roach who shared an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 180 runs to secure the draw.
“I actually thought it [a double hundred] was going to be from Shai Hope; he looked as if he wasn’t going to be out at any point, but it came from Justin Greaves.”
THE climax to the Formula 1 World Championship could hardly be better set up after the three title contenders qualified together at the front of the grid for today’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen put in one of the performances of the season - and of his illustrious career - to take a scintillating pole position.
McLaren’s Lando Norris, who heads into the race at 13:00 GMT as championship favourite with a 12-point lead over Verstappen, is alongside the Dutchman on the front row.
The Briton’s teammate Oscar Piastri, 16 points off the lead, starts third, alongside Mercedes’ George Russell on the second row.
For Norris, the maths is simple - and the task looks the same.
The 26-year-old will be champion for the first time if he finishes on the podium, regardless of anyone else’s result.
Verstappen, 28, would clinch a fifth consecutive title if he wins the race with Norris in fourth, or if he is second and Norris is lower than seventh.
Australian Piastri, 24, needs some kind of misfortune to happen to his rivals if he is to win his first title. He will also head into the race knowing that there is a possibility he could be asked to move aside and help Norris win if his own hopes are over and that is needed for a McLaren driver to beat Verstappen. (BBC Sport)
in the Girls’ 50-metre backstroke, clocked 36.32 to take the bronze medal.
The Sookram brothers collected medals in
the Boys 50-metre backstroke. Jeremy won silver in a time of 30.55 while Jeron took bronze with a time of 31.57. The race was won by Ishmael Holtuin of Surname in a time
of 27.64. Jeremy Sookram won bronze in the Boys’ 50-metres butterfly. The action is scheduled to commence today at 10:00hrs.
(From left) Guyana’s Elissa Shipley- Thompson, Jeron Sookram, Aarav Singh and Jeremy Sookram won Silver in the 200 metres medley relay
Roston Chase speaking during the post-match press conference following the drawn Test between West Indies and New Zealand
HEROICS BY GREAVES, ROACH EARN WINDIES HISTORIC DRAW AGAINST NEW ZEALAND
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, (CMC) – Led by herculean efforts from Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach, the West Indies produced one of the best-ever batting performances in Test history to defy the odds and secure a hard-fought draw against New Zealand in the opening Test here on Saturday.
Given little chance of batting out the day after resuming on 212 for four chasing an improbable 531 for victory, Greaves scored a dogged, unbeaten 202, while Roach was stubborn in defence during his knock of 58 not out off 233 balls, as the Windies reached 457 for six before both sides agreed to a draw late on the fifth day at Hagley Oval.
The West Indies’ total was the highest in the fourth innings of a Test match in 84 years, second behind only England’s 654 for five in 1939, which was made during a timeless Test lasting for 10 days play over 12 days.
Greaves and Roach’s unbeaten partnership of 180 was also the fifth highest for the seventh wicket for the West Indies, while the 163.3 overs they faced is the longest fourth innings in Tests for West Indies in 95 years.
The result helped the visitors register their first drawn Test in New Zealand since 2013, as well as their first points in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.
Any chances the West Indies would have had of pursuing an unlikely victory evaporated in the morning session when Shai Hope, who together with Greaves shared a 196-run stand for the fifth wicket, fell to a brilliant catch by wicketkeeper Tom Latham after Hope gloved an attempted pull off Jacob
Duffy, to leave the score 268 for five.
Hope made 140 off 234 balls with 15 fours and two sixes.
And they seemed headed for defeat when Tevin Imlach was trapped lbw by Zak Foulkes nine runs later.
But the 37-year-old Roach joined Greaves in a memorable partnership that shifted the momentum of the match and at one point, made the possibility of victory a realistic one.
Together with Greaves, who resumed the day on 55, they took the West Indies to lunch at 295 for six, with the latter three runs short of a well-deserved century.
He got to his second Test century off 229 balls almost immediately after the resumption, with a single off spinner Michael Bracewell.
New Zealand, who were operating without the services of their two leading pacers Matt Henry and Nathan Smith due to injury, had only themselves to blame for not breaking the partnership.
Roach was dropped on 30 at backward square leg by Foulkes, substitute fielder Blair Tickner missed an easy opportunity to run him out when he was 35, and then also spilled an easy catch at mid on when Roach was 47.
Greaves, though, kept ploughing on, becoming the sixth West Indian to score 150
in the fourth innings of a Test, by pulling a short ball from Duffy to fine leg for a single. Roach proved to be the perfect ally, and he reached his first-ever Test half century off 110 balls in similar fashion.
They took the Windies to tea at 399 for six, still needing a further 132 runs for victory heading into the last session.
New Zealand was unlucky not to have dismissed Roach on two more occasions, having already wasted all three of their reviews.
When he was 53 he was given not out following an appeal for lbw off the bowling of Bracewell, with the review showing the ball would have crashed into leg stump and he was also given not out for a catch behind off the same bowler, with the review showing that the ball had grazed the bat on its way through to the keeper.
Roach buckled down thereafter, scoring a mere five runs from the next 104 deliveries he faced, with the close of play looming.
Greaves reached his double century just before then by driving the 384th ball he faced from Duffy over point for the last of his 19 boundaries.
In all, he spent just over nine and a half hours at the crease and faced 388 balls.
GUYANA CONTINUES TRACK AND FIELD DOMINANCE AT INTER-GUIANA GAMES SHALLOW TO CONTINUE LEADING CWI
TEAM Guyana has emphatically clinched the Track and Field title at the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) 2025, delivering a clinical two-day performance that confirmed their status as the regional athletics powerhouse.
Competing on home soil at the National Track and Field Facility in West Coast Demerara, the host nation established a crushing margin of victory, demonstrating superior depth and talent across both track and field disciplines.
At the conclusion of the athletics segment on Saturday, Guyana secured a staggering 442 points.
This monumental total created a chasm between themselves and the competition, with French Guiana finishing a distant second with 300 points, while Suriname claimed third place with 213 points.
The victory was built on a foundation of individual excellence, particularly in the sprints. Quinyla Burnette was arguably the star of the show, completing a fine sprint double.
Following her 100m success, she clinched the 200m title in a decent time of 25.20s, leading a Guyanese 1-2 ahead of teammate Nyah Gravesande (26.00s), with French Guiana’s Jozuana Dawane taking third (26.50s).
In the men’s 200m, Deuquan Farrell made amends for earlier results to take gold in
21.60s, beating out Tishawn Easton (21.80s) and Suriname’s Romensio Aminibo (22.60s).
Guyana maintained their stranglehold over the middle-distance events. Kaidon Persaud produced a powerful run in the 800m, clocking 1:57.90s to finish well clear of teammate Jonathon Bristol (2:00.80s).
Adanya Glen secured gold in the girls’ equivalent (2:28.60s), ensuring a top-two finish for Guyana alongside Kamayra Lacon (2:39.20s).
Long-distance runner Ebo McNeil bagged his second gold medal of the Games, winning the 5000m in 17:06.17s, well ahead of the French Guiana pair of Loris Innocent (18:35.84s) and Daniel Samuel (20:18.78s).
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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) –Dr Kishore Shallow will not relinquish his role as President of Cricket West Indies (CWI), despite being named as St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Tourism and Maritime Affairs.
There was widespread speculation that the 41-year-old Shallow, who was elected unopposed on May 29, 2025, at CWI’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), would have to step down from his position at CWI after securing victory in the North Leeward constituency in last Thursday’s general elections in St Vincent and the Grenadines as a candidate for the New Democratic Party (NDP).
Earlier last week, Shallow said he would make a decision on whether he would resign from his post at CWI “in the next 72 hours”.
But speaking during an exclusive interview on Isports i95.5 FM here on Thursday, Shallow disclosed that he will see out the remainder of his three-year term as CWI president.
“The intention is to at least finish my term at CWI. The directors, the representative shareholders elected me to serve my term, and I have all intentions of doing so.
“Let me just reiterate that the President of CWI is an executive role, it is a chair of a board, and there have been many instances across the region and even internationally, where chairs have been Members of Parliament and so this is not something new. It’s new for me,” Shallow said.
“…But understanding the role of CWI president, I have absolutely no reservation that I can manage both…It is about understanding the management structure and understanding
that we have a CEO who is the head of operations and head of management and the chair, the President of CWI’s board, is really the liaison between the board and management.
“I think if people understand that fully, then it would be less confusion about any possibility of there being a conflict or not,” he maintained.
Shallow said he made the decision to remain as CWI president after discussing the matter with his directors, as well as officials from the sport’s governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“I’ve spoken to the majority; almost all of the directors and they have all given me full support. They too have a great appreciation of the role as the president of CWI, and I have spoken to other leaders across the region.
“At least two of my colleagues at the ICC are MPs. When they talk about government interference, they mean in terms of government dictating the operations and the management of the cricket,” Shallow explained.
Justin Greaves (left) and Kemar Roach embrace after Greaves scored a match-saving double century against New Zealand
Ebo McNeil won another gold medal for Guyana (PHOTO: News Room)
President of CWI Dr Kishore Shallow