New forest carbon agreements soon
From L-R: Ministers Oneidge Walrond, Sonia Parag and Dr Vindhya Persaud, at
New forest carbon agreements soon
--President Ali announces, stresses the importance of more nature-based solutions to the world’s problems
By Trina Williams
GUYANA is emerging as a powerful voice on the global stage as it is showing how responsible growth can look in practice, balancing its burgeoning oil and gas sector with large-scale renewable investments and forest protection.
During an interview aired on Saturday on the outcome of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, President Irfaan Ali highlighted that environmental protection and economic growth are not opposing forces but partners in progress.
“This COP is being called the COP of truth and the COP of action,” President Ali stated, noting that despite numerous resolutions over the years, global progress has been limited. He emphasised that Guyana has adopted a clear and practical approach that reflects its leadership, commitment, and the ways in which the country’s example can help unite the world.
As President Ali delivered his assessment, he did not mince words, asserting that fossil fuels will continue to play a crucial role for decades to come.
He stressed that true climate responsibility lies in how the world produces and consumes energy. Dr. Ali pointed out that global energy demand has grown by seven per cent in the past three years, with fossil fuels accounting for 60 per cent of that increase.
“Now, what that means is that the reality of the world
that we’re living in is that fossil fuel will still be here for some time…The moral, ethical argument is, should we pursue a policy that says no new development? Then, as I said today, you are protecting a market that is already profiting from fossil fuels.
The approach, if it is climate-related, must be one that takes out the least effective producers; the producers with the highest carbon footprint and the most inefficient producers from the system,” he said.
“We cannot create that balance with extremism on both sides,” President Ali said, emphasising that there needs to be a more dynamic ecosystem through which petroleum products are developed.
Turning his attention to the major countries, President Ali said that the conversation needs to shift from whether tropical forests, nature products and biodiversity should be on the agenda.
“The European Union understands that it cannot pursue this strategy of not assigning a value to nature-based solutions and to forest and biodiversity in the compliance market that they are setting up. So that, by itself, is an important and weighty subject matter that Guyana is championing,” President Ali said.
On this note, he called for greater focus on creating sustainable livelihoods and building an ecosystem that fully supports this vision, em-
phasising that this is precisely what Guyana is pursuing.
President Ali said: “It’s not only about climate change, carbon credit. It’s about nature-based solutions for every single problem that we have, and this is where Guyana is leading, and that is what the LCDS is designed to do.
It is designed to look at a development model that incorporates nature, that incorporates climate consideration in the results that we want to achieve…”
Since the relaunch of the LCDS 2030 in 2022, Guyana
has achieved world-leading milestones, including becoming the first country to receive jurisdictional forest carbon credits under the ART-TREES framework, and completing a large-scale carbon credit sale valued at up to US$750 million through 2030.
Carbon revenue, expected to reach US$200 million this year, has already surpassed US$400 million over three years, exceeding the achievements of any other nation.
Moreover, the President expressed hope that Guyana will unveil new forest car-
bon agreements by the end of the year, aimed at further strengthening the country’s position as a global leader in forest conservation and low-carbon development.
‘BIODIVERSITY
IS NOT A SIDE ISSUE’
President Ali said that Guyana’s main objective is to mainstream biodiversity in the COP discussion, and then to build out supporting infrastructure with membership to push biodiversity. Guyana is also collaborating with Brazil under the Tropical Forest Forever (TFF) initiative to
ensure biodiversity remains central to climate and sustainability goals, he disclosed.
“We don’t want to diffuse what is happening in many different directions, but what we are saying is that biodiversity is so central to net zero and everything about sustainability that it must be advanced at the same speed that the other issues are advancing. And that is why we’re building this coalition to ensure that this happens, and that attention is brought,” Dr. Ali said, noting that biodiversity is not a side issue.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre) is flanked by Pradeepa Bholanath, Environmental Economist, and Shyam Nokta, natural resources, environment and climate change consultant, in Belém, Brazil (Office of the President photo)
AG justifies GRA’s move to drop tax charges to safeguard U.S. extradition process
ATTORNEY General and Minister of Legal Affairs
Anil Nandlall S.C. has defended the decision of the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) to withdraw income tax charges against U.S.-indicted Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, stating that imprisonment is no substitute for tax recovery.
The minister made these remarks during a televised interview with the state media on Friday, where he discussed GRA’s move to withdraw tax evasion charges, noting that the extradition of the father-and-son duo should not be jeopardised for that purpose. The withdrawal of
the charges clears the way for the Mohameds to be extradited to the U.S.
According to the complaints, Nazar and Azruddin are accused of understating billions of dollars in taxable income from gold exports between 2019 and 2023 — an alleged total of $34 billion in underreported income.
In a letter to Nazar and Azruddin, GRA stated that the unpaid taxes continue to attract interest under the Financial Administration and Audit Act and the Income Tax Act.
Emphasising that the charges were not politically motivated, the Attorney General said: “As I said,
before, these charges have a date that they span from 2017 to 2024. On the documents themselves, they say that the investigation began since 2010. The two subjects of the extradition requests were not politicians when these things happened. The offences that are charged are not political in nature, in any form or fashion.”
Nandlall countered the
narrative and stated that any politicisation originated with the subjects themselves – the Mohameds.
“It is after the sanctions came from the United States government and after it was clear that extradition requests were to follow, one of the subjects entered politics. It is he who made it political, and now he puts up politics as a shield. He made a conscious
decision to get into politics, knowing that this was coming.”
Nandlall noted that the pursuance of the more than $191 billion in taxes by the Mohameds will be recovered through civil litigation.
“Its national interest is the only super riding power over a state’s ability to collect taxes. Taxes are the lifeblood of a state, and every single country in the world has a panoply of powers to get taxes, so the state of Guyana has a repertoire of
remedies available to ensure that taxes that are outstanding are paid through various legal processes. One doesn’t have to jeopardise an extradition process to get that, and from all indications, the state will move in that direction,”
Nandlall said.
Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Thursday, during a press conference, said the state still intends to recover the monies owed by the Mohameds.
“So, the withdrawal of the criminal aspect of it doesn’t preclude you from going after the money – the owed taxes – in a civil court. The civil remedy for the taxes [owed] is already being pursued. They got the demand notice for the $191 billion already. That’s calculated based on the penalties; that’s not going to stop.”
The GRA filed the charges following what it said was a comprehensive audit into Mohamed’s Enterprise’s gold export records. The GRA had accused the men of deliberately failing to disclose the full earnings, resulting in a significant loss of tax revenue to the State.
In the meantime, the government has pledged to intensify efforts to recover the taxes owed by the businessmen.
Nazar and Azruddin Mohamed pictured with their attorneys, Siand Dhurjon and Damien Da Silva (Delano Williams photo)
Parag launches online anti-bullying platform, announces moral & civic education for schools
---at public consultation on anti-violence & anti-bullying policy in schools
By Feona Morrison
MINISTER of Education, Sonia Parag, has reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to fostering safe and respectful learning environments, as she officially launched a new online anti-bullying platform and announced the upcoming introduction of moral and civic education into the national curriculum.
The announcement was made on Saturday during the first Public Consultation on Anti-Violence and Anti-Bullying Policy in Schools, held under the theme “Stand Up. Speak Out. Stop It.” at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
In her address, Minister Parag emphasised that bullying in any form must be met with a zero-tolerance approach, noting that it requires a collective and sustained effort across the education system.
“Bullying is by no means right in any form. We must take a zero-tolerance ap -
Scenes from the anti-violence and anti-bullying consultation at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre
proach,” she declared, urging parents, teachers, students, and policymakers to play active roles in creating safe school environments. She explained that bullying is not limited to student-on-student interactions but also extends to teachers, parents, and entire school communities.
“Bullying is not only student against student; it’s school against school, teacher with student, student with teacher, parent with teacher, and teacher with parent,” she said.
Minister Parag under -
scored the need for an honest discussion on the issue, noting that “repeatedly transferring a student from one school to the next is transferring the problem.”
Highlighting the ministry’s latest digital innovation, Parag announced the launch of a secure online platform - the Anti-Bullying and Anti-Violence Reporting System - designed to allow students, parents, and educators to report bullying confidentially.
“This secure digital tool allows students, parents and staff to confidentially re -
through the system would remain confidential and that the Ministry of Education would ensure privacy “whether it’s the student, the teacher, or the parent.”
Turning to the education curriculum, Minister Parag announced that moral and
civic education would soon be formally introduced into schools as part of efforts to nurture values such as kindness, responsibility, and community-mindedness among students.
“His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali, has man-
dated the Ministry of Education to fit into the timetable moral education and civic education, and we have already created the curriculum for those two subjects, which we will be implementing within the next few weeks,”
TURN TO PAGE 17
port incidents of bullying or harassment without fear of retaliation,” she stated.
She added that the system “streamlines communication between schools and the ministry, enabling timely investigations and appropriate interventions while maintaining the privacy of all individuals involved.”
Minister Parag said the goal of the platform is to “promote accountability, encourage a culture of respect, and strengthen the overall well-being of students.” She assured that reports made
Gender equality progress
GUYANA’S steady rise in the 2025 World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Gender Gap Report is no small feat.
Ranking first globally in women’s health and survival, and climbing to 31st overall among 148 countries, its achievement speaks volumes about what deliberate public policy, social investment, and political will can achieve.
For a developing nation, Guyana’s success in closing the gender gap is both remarkable and instructive. The report highlights not just improvements in statistical indicators, but the tangible results of a long-term vision, one anchored in equity, empowerment, and opportunity for women and girls.
Over the past five years, the Government of Guyana has moved beyond rhetoric to action. The Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) alone has
trained more than 90,000 women in entrepreneurship, ICT, garment construction, and hospitality, programmes that translate directly into livelihoods and financial independence.
This empowerment has allowed thousands of women to transition from informal work to formal employment, strengthening both families and the national economy.
Equally significant is the transformation in land and housing ownership, with women now holding over 60 per cent of housing titles nationwide. Such a development is not just symbolic, it provides a foundation for security, access to credit, and intergenerational wealth-building.
The government’s support for female farmers through the Women Agri-Entrepreneurs initiative has also advanced women’s participation in food production and
agribusiness, areas once dominated by men.
These changes are reshaping the face of rural and regional economies, ensuring that women are not left behind in Guyana’s broader drive for sustainable development.
On the front of safety and justice, the Family Violence Act (2024) and the establishment of Hope and Justice Centres mark important milestones.
These facilities, coupled with national hotlines and the innovative Safe Space App, have enhanced access to protection and counselling for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. For many women, these reforms are not abstract policies— they represent safety, dignity, and the chance to rebuild their lives.
In education, Guyana’s leadership is equally commendable. Free tertiary education at the University of Guyana and other technical
institutions, alongside government scholarships and STEM initiatives, have propelled female literacy and opened doors to new professional fields. Girls are not only attending school—they are excelling, innovating, and leading in spaces that were once closed to them.
Speaking at the National Conference on the Beijing Declaration and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, Minister Gail Teixeira rightly pointed out that these gains are not coincidental but the result of sustained commitment.
“Our investments in women’s education, safety, and economic inclusion are transforming lives and accelerating national development,” she said.
Indeed, Guyana’s progress is both a national triumph and a regional inspiration. It underscores how gender equality is not a side issue but a central pillar of economic
and social transformation.
The WEF ranking validates what many have observed: When women thrive, the nation prospers.
Still, maintaining this trajectory requires vigilance. Economic empowerment must continue to be matched with legal reform, cultural change, and institutional accountability. Gender equality is not a finish line but an evolving pursuit, one that demands ongoing investment, public participation, and political courage.
As Guyana advances into an era defined by rapid growth and diversification, ensuring that women share equally in that progress will determine not just fairness, but the sustainability of development itself.
The message from the latest WEF report is clear: Guyana’s women are no longer waiting for inclusion, they are leading the way.
Azruddin Mohamed believes he can break Guyana’s laws with impunity
Dear Editor, TIMES are changing for the better in this country, and one such heartening change is the fact that people, big or small, are made to pay for their crimes.
The person who comes immediately to mind is Mr. Azruddin Mohamed, who was recently sworn in as a Member of Parliament and vowed to uphold the laws of this country. But this man has a remarkable strategy:Just blame the Government.
This billionaire-turned-politician seems to believe that he can break Guyana’s laws with impunity. In the past, it would seem that he allegedly bribed some Government officials to facilitate his illegal gold smuggling activities, for which he is currently on the extradition list, and no doubt, ‘very soon
or shortly’ he will get a free ride to the US to face related charges and probably a long jail term. But right now, this man is still of the mindset that he can violate the laws at his whim and fancy by driving a reportedly uninsured and controversial luxury vehicle to Parliament, and his family members are driving a heavily-tinted vehicle without insurance.
He claimed that the Government instructed the non-renewal of his vehicles’ insurance. It would seem that all this man’s legal woes are the Government of Guyana’s doing, not his. Commit a crime and then blame the Government, and call it persecution, not prosecution. He broke the law, yet he is not culpable in any way. If a vehicle is not insured, do not drive it. If it is heavily tinted, then remove it and put on
those within acceptable levels of window tint opacity. He smuggled billions of dollars in gold, and when he was caught, he blamed the Government. Yet some asinine social media commentators cannot see the plain, unadulterated truth because of their innate hate for the PPP.
This man believes that if he lies all the time, then those lies can be transformed into facts. He is a strong disciple of Goebellism- repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth. Azruddin Mohamed is now following in the footsteps of the PNC, and claims that the 2025 General Elections were massively rigged, denying him the presidency. Even the PNC had some shame; they had claimed that they had the winning SOPs for the 2020 General Elections. Of course, those cannot be presented until now, but
Azruddin did not make such a claim; he felt that it was enough that he claimed that the PPP/C massively rigged the elections, and people should believe him. Again, he blames the PPP/C for denying him the presidency.
Is this man for real? This man needs help. He is dangerously delusional, and as the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs
Anil Nandlall, S.C., warned, Azruddin’s false narrative is an insight into his mentality, and is not only reckless but reflects ‘psychological disorders at play’.
The AG further stated that what is alarming is that it appeared that Azruddin actually believed that the PPP/C rigged the 2025 Elections without an iota of evidence. Most quixotic. Will his supporters endorse such a baseless claim when they know
the contrary? Our country will be better off when his extradition takes effect.
We are witnessing an unprecedented level of ostentation and arrogance from Azruddin when he drove his luxury vehicle to Parliament, claiming that he brought it for Dr. Jagdeo to see. He fidgeted with his gold tie, and had his driver open the car door for him to make his dramatic entry. That same controversial vehicle is the subject of a massive fraud and tax evasion scandal, and using it to show off is sending the wrong message to the public. Again, he believes that he did nothing wrong or illegal, even though all evidence states otherwise.
It is important to note that the discontinuation of the tax evasion charges by the GRA does not mean that there is no evidence, and it is
a celebrated victory for him, but because all hurdles have been removed to facilitate and speed up his extradition process. Underestimating his precarious predicament, Azruddin is bent on warbling his swan song. Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) strongly condemned giving charity to be seen by others, referring to it as Riya’ (showing off), which he called “minor shirk” (minor polytheism). Actions done with the intention of gaining praise or recognition from people, rather than solely for the pleasure of Allah, have their rewards nullified, and on the Day of Judgement, such a person will be told to seek their reward from those whom they tried to impress. Muslims are wary of this nullification of their good TURN TO PAGE 7
Azruddin Mohamed, political theory and Schumacher
WHEN I entered the University of Guyana as a freshman in the history programme, one of the books sweeping the world and the UG campus was E. F. Schumacher’s “Small is Beautiful.”
Marxist thinkers and socialist governments in the post-colonial world saw Schumacher’s opus magnum as the essential guide to building a sustainable future.
Briefly, Schumacher argued that industrial production, infrastructural projects, urban development and nation-building in general should avoid the hugeness of projects. When you have large industrial cities, culture and the environment become casualties.
Socialist thinkers argued, based on Schumacher’s book, that the future of an unpollut-
ed world lies in small countries with small populations. As I settled down as a student at UG and began to be taught by left-wing professors and read more Marxist literature, I came to see that small is dangerous too. Using not economic theory or environmental theory but political theory, I came to see that in the post-colonial world, small is dangerous. I left UG and the other universities I attended many moons ago, and now I am an old man, but the theory that small is dangerous is a valid polemic in the study of the Caribbean, particularly small island states with small populations.
Small is disastrous in two broad outlines in the post-colonial world. If the economy is state socialist, as was the case in Guyana under Burnham; Ethiopia
under Mengistu, Cuba under Castro, Zaire under Mobutu, Suriname under Bouterse, Grenada under Bishop, Libya under Gaddafi, North Korea under Kim-il-Sung, Yugoslavia under Tito and the Arab monarchies, among others, then the government and its leaders have total power.
If the economy is capitalist, then the billionaires have total power because in tiny populations, the bourgeoisie controls both economic society and political society (including security forces, government, judiciary, the media and civil society). Even in large populations, the extraordinarily wealthy capitalist class controls the state
Several biographies of media tycoon Rupert Murdoch revealed that during national elections in the UK, prime ministerial candidates,
without exception, lined up outside his house waiting for him to put them in government through the influence of his media empire. If that could happen in a population of 60 million, think of how dangerous small is in countries that have sparse populations. In Antigua, Allen Stanford, a super-wealthy entrepreneur, was a controlling hand in the country.
In Guyana, Azruddin Mohamed’s penetration was deeper than Stanford’s. Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, has spoken of the reach of Mohamed into the state, judiciary and the police. Here are the words of Mr. Jagdeo: “So, it’s not just media, not just executive bodies, not just the judiciary they go after. They buy political parties, and I believe they bought APNU… that’s why APNU
Enact the ‘Mohameds Exception Act’
Dear Editor,
I READ with great amusement the Mohameds’ recent statement lamenting the supposed “persecution” of the family after the lawful impoundment of one of their uninsured vehicles by the Guyana Police Force (GPF). According to them, Guyana is descending into tyranny because, apparently, the Rule of Law had the audacity to apply to them.
Perhaps it is time to stop pretending that all citizens are equal under the law and accept that some families, like the Mohameds, are simply too important to be governed by such trivialities as the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act or the Income
Tax Act. In fact, I suggest we consider enacting special legislation, the ‘Mohameds Exception Act,’ that allows this distinguished family to operate with impunity and privilege, and disregard any other law they find inconvenient.
After all, this is a family whose record already speaks volumes when it comes to adherence to theRule of Law, in and out of Guyana. Both Azruddin and his father, along with several of their companies, have been sanctioned and indicted by the US Government for financial crimes, including mail and wire fraud. Clearly, if they can brush off federal charges, what’s a little local infraction
about an uninsured car?
I must admit, however, that their attempt to cloak traffic violations in the language of democracy, persecution, and international concern is almost impressive in its creativity. To compare being pulled over for breaking the law with the oppression faced by political prisoners in Pakist`an or gang violence in Haiti requires a level of dramatic flair that should at least earn them an Oscar, if not immunity from the police.
Or maybe they simply are unable to distinguish between political persecution and law enforcement. And maybe if they are genuinely interested in defending democracy,
perhaps they can start by respecting the laws of the democratic state they claim to love.
The rule of law does not bend to the wealthy or the well-connected, as they seem to believe.
So yes, I support the Mohamed’s call for fairness; the fairness of ensuring that every Guyanese, regardless of wealth or surname, faces the same consequences when they break the law. Until then, may their next statement be accompanied by valid insurance certificates for the cars they drive.
Yours faithfully, Ravin Singh
Azruddin Mohamed believes he...
deeds, and hence they give charity in utmost secrecy without an iota of ostentation. I was disappointed that Azruddin was at No. 63 Beach giving ‘charity’ to many poor and unfortunate persons and used it as a photo opportunity to publicise the photos on Team Mohamed FB page. These pictures showed many of
these unfortunate persons, including the elderly and children, sitting with outstretched hands with Azruddin hovering above them, placing money in their hands. One was extremely touching: An elderly woman with a notice which read ‘Please help’ displayed on the front of her clothes. Islam spoke about pro-
tecting the dignity of those in need, but here is a newly sworn MP and another WIN MP embarrassing them at a Hindu religious event Kartik Purnima. There was no need to post these pictures on Facebook to publicly embarrass and degrade these poor people.
This aspiring politician has not only broken his
did not put up a resistance in the election.”
The Mohamed enterprise is a trillion-dollar world, and so are a few others in Guyana. Next to them are a number of multi-billionaires. The power of these people in tiny populated post-colonial societies is enormous. Their tentacles reach into every corner of the country, graphically demonstrating that small is dangerous. Let us take one example. In the money-laundering investigation of a senior police officer, it was revealed that he got a wedding gift of $10M from a businessman.
Do the logical deduction. If the businessman could give $10M, what would he give if he were facing an investigation for a serious criminal offence? The bourgeoisie, particularly Azruddin Mohamed, has extensive contacts within the police force. Use your imagination and think of what $20M is to a police officer, and that sum is a drop in the ocean to a trillionaire.
The society knows about the little boy who was shot and killed when a certain wealthy young man was having fun shooting across the Demerara River from Friendship on the East Bank. The society knows that noth-
ing came out of a vehicular death on the road on Mandela Avenue. The society knows that nothing came out of a Main Street murder. What was savage about this murder was that it was over a triangular love affair involving a woman.
I have had 38 years of social activism, and I am in my 37th year of a media career. I know how dangerous small is. I know how money has bought people in this country. And by people, I mean in the security sector, governmental realm, and the judiciary. I shudder to think that if Azruddin’s power had not been cut, how much deeper his penetration would have become.
The 2025 national elections and the type of money that was put into it by WIN and the sectors of sycophancy that surrendered to the temptation of cash show how dangerous small is. It is not only dangerous but frightening. Don’t forget there are more Azruddin Mohameds in Guyana.
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.
FROM PAGE 6
country’s laws but also the moral and spiritual laws and should change his future course of action so that he does not lose this world and the hereafter. Blaming the Government will not resolve your self-imposed crisis.
Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf
No man is above, below the law
U.S. President, the late Theodore Roosevelt, said, “No man is above the law and no man is below it”. I strongly believe that, especially in the case of Guyana. I have always been a law-abiding citizen. I do not mix or mince words. I speak the truth, and loudly.
The controversy involving the Mohameds must be brought to a swift end. There must be justice. If the Mohameds are involved in gold smuggling, tax evasion, money laundering, mail and wire fraud, or other crimes, then
they must stand up and answer to the charges, like any of us. If they are found guilty, the Mohameds, both father and son, must be jailed, and there must be no cherry picking.
No one has time to expend behind the Mohameds in this manner. The government must be allowed to do its job fearlessly. The government must handle the extradition request properly. Once it is satisfied that there is enough evidence against the Mohameds, then the Mohameds will be arrested and
sent forthwith to the US authorities; Plain and simple.
After all, the Mohameds are not Gods. They are humans. They must be treated like any other person in or out of Guyana. Their wealth and status should not influence the courts or the course of justice. The government and courts must not allow them to delay the extradition process. It must move along smoothly.
Secondly, each time I hear that the case with the Mohameds is political, I get angered and agitated. It is NOT. A straightforward legal process is being made out to look complex and difficult. The Mohameds are making it political.
If there is no guilt or fear, the Mohameds would go. That is exactly why they have been publicly campaigning and calling on the President, the PPP/C government and
the parliament to swear Azruddin Mohamed in as opposition leader. They feel that they can hide from the U.S. and hide from justice via the political and parliamentary systems. This is simply not so!
An extradition does not mean the Mohameds are guilty. They must still answer before a court, and evidence must be brought against them. The Mohameds know what they are facing. They have always known. That is why they are fearful and seeking to make this whole case about politics.
On Monday, the PPP/C Government will not protect the Mohameds and will stay far. They will ensure that the law is followed to the letter. Let’s wait and see. The Mohameds could very well not be here at the end of
the week.
Thirdly, Azruddin must know he is playing a dirty game called politics. I think he made a poor choice to flaunt his money and wealth at the people’s parliament on Monday.
He is in for some serious ‘jumbie’ lashes from the PPP/C in parliament. From the looks of it, neither he nor the clueless WIN parliamentarians will hold the government accountable. They do not even know the standing orders and can barely debate on serious matters, much less the nation’s business.
I am predicting APNU will have to step in and save them because they would be gone with the ‘wind’. Parliament will descend into laughter and chaos. APNU will reclaim its seats if it manages to save the parliament. WIN
will destroy WIN, and the PPP/C will run free before the next election.
Finally, Mohamed and his family are in for a surprise chess move. They should not be basking in the glory of surviving the extradition request or getting into the parliament.
They should prepare themselves for the inevitable because the U.S. is patient as long as it gets its way in the end. The great chess move will catch them by surprise.
Remember, “No man is above the law and no man is below it.”
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.
Why STEM matters for Guyana’s future
SCIENCE, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is more than a collection of school subjects. STEM shapes how we live, work and solve problems. It drives the technology we depend on daily, powers our infrastructure, and helps developing nations like Guyana find innovative ways to address unique challenges.
As an emerging oil and gas producer, Guyana’s transformation is being powered by STEM. This is not only evident in the advanced technology aboard Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels but across multiple sectors that influence the lives of everyday citizens.
On the renewable energy front, the country’s largest hybrid 5 MW solar power station at Onderneeming in Region Two is a powerful demonstration of science and engineering at work. The US$10.4 million investment
is expected to save approximately $447 million in fossil fuel costs each year and reduce more than 6,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
STEM has also transformed the way Guyanese access financial and healthcare services. Local banks have embraced digital technology, allowing customers to conduct transactions from the comfort of their homes or while on the go.
Guyanese can now open bank accounts online, a service that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. In healthcare, dozens of telemedicine sites now operate in hinterland regions, using digital platforms to connect patients with medical professionals hundreds of miles away.
Even sectors not readily associated with STEM are evolving through innovation. Agriculture, for instance, is becoming increasingly science-driven. The National Agricultural Research and
Extension Institute (NAREI) recently commissioned a state-of-the-art biotechnology laboratory capable of producing over one million disease-free plantlets each year. The introduction of nano-fertiliser technology for rice and other crops is improving yields while reducing nitrogen use and environmental impact. Additionally, the Agriculture Information System (AIS) is digitising farm data, allowing for better land management and faster decision-making through real-time mapping and monitoring.
Similarly, in aquaculture, new approaches to fish and shrimp farming are combining biology, engineering and data analysis to create more efficient and sustainable systems. These examples reflect how STEM is quietly reshaping industries that have sustained Guyana’s economy for decades.
Behind this national
transformation are the people who make STEM possible: engineers, technicians, data analysts, researchers, teachers and students. Their collective efforts are driving progress in every major sector and proving that STEM is not confined to laboratories or offshore platforms. Nevertheless, there is still more to be done to strengthen Guyana’s STEM foundation. Greater emphasis on public awareness and education will ensure that more citizens understand how science and technology can be applied to their daily lives.
The government has made notable strides in this regard, particularly through the annual STEAM Fair, which combines the Arts with STEM and provides a space for young innovators to display creative solutions to real-world problems.
The private sector has also become an important partner in advancing STEM TURN TO PAGE 9
How Azruddin Mohamed turned scandal into a campaign strategy
IMAGINE waking up to discover that your trusted accountant has, for over fifteen years, been quietly siphoning off your revenue, diverting your hard-earned money to a secret offshore account.
When you finally confront the theft, you’re forced by your legal team to build your case only on evidence from seven years, his most egregious lootings. After unmasking him, would you hand him the keys to your vault, knowing full well that he has robbed you blind and bankrolls his lavish lifestyle with your losses? Not a single reasonable soul would say yes.
And yet, 109,000 Guyanese, motivated by bribery, blind loyalty, or perhaps something far worse, voted to put Azruddin Mohamed, a man who has brazenly denied his country billions meant for roads you drive, the schools your children attend, the wells and clinics your families depend on, all left wanting while their champion perfects the art of a grand heist.
What message do we carve into the conscience of the next shrewd, AI-trained child of privilege, untethered by ethics or discipline, when men like Roysdale Forde and Nigel Hughes line up for a slice of the Mohamed dynas-
ty, hoping to jab a pin into the PPP/C administration? They were right there behind Azruddin as he told the press that he was just a simple pork knocker and that the gold export business belonged to his father.
Nobody misheard him; he wasn’t casting blame, but acting out a familiar family ritual: in crisis, Nazar Mohamed steps in to shield his son, offering himself as the sacrificial lamb.
The answer is depressingly clear: chase wealth, flaunt the rules, and if you’re cunning enough, society will fill your ears with applause and if you desire and can pay for it, public office.
We are laying the foundation for a future where sophisticated grift, not integrity, becomes the measure of success, where resourcefulness without ethics is celebrated, and the notion of accountability is as obsolete as dial-up internet.
In Guyana, the message is unmistakable: put on a spectacle and we’ll turn a blind eye to where it came from, or who paid the price.
Azruddin Mohamed stepped into the political spotlight of his own free will in June. The Guyanese Critic, as hideously offensive as ever, managed a rare truth: Azruddin craved the one currency his billions couldn’t
buy, fame, public adoration, the giddy thrill of seeing crowds chant his name. The adulation is what he’s after, a narcotic for an ego that needs constant stroking.
Azruddin had the gall to tell the cameras that everywhere he went, the old ladies and young children were already calling him President. That fantasy, more potent than a blue pill, swelled his head at the very moment OFAC sanctions closed in and indictment loomed like the morning sun. With his empire under siege, he doubled down, using ill-begotten gold and lavish handouts to build a runway straight into Parliament.
Let’s be clear: the only ones truly mastering the political game here are Azruddin and his personal spin factory, led by his sister and her loyal lackeys. They turn scandal into publicity, evasion into celebrity, and criminal indictment into campaign strategy, a spectacle Guyanese can’t look away from.
And that’s why, last Monday, Azruddin Mohamed rolled up to Parliament in his gleaming Lamborghini, the same scandal-soaked supercar he grossly undervalued to dodge millions in taxes and fees, now cruising the streets without a shred of mandatory insurance, flouting laws that apply to every other Guya-
Why STEM matters...
development. Through the Greater Guyana Initiative, oil companies ExxonMobil, Hess and CNOOC have been hosting an annual two-week STEM camp that brings together 100 students from across the country. Participants are mentored, inspired and challenged to think critically about how STEM can help to shape Guyana’s future. In addition, these and other oil and gas companies continue to provide scholarships, internships and
specialised training opportunities that allow more Guyanese to build the technical skills needed in a rapidly changing economy.
Together, these efforts are helping to create a pipeline of local talent ready to drive innovation and build the industries of tomorrow.
STEM is not a niche field; it is a vital tool for national development and sustainable growth. It shapes how we live, how we work and how our future will be built. When
nese.
He revved its half-million-dollar engine for all to see, throwing arrogance in the face of our legal system, then had the nerve to cry ‘political interference’ when Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo warned there would be dire consequences should that uninsured, illegally-driven vehicle were to maim or kill an innocent person.
Mohamed’s stunt wasn’t just a show of wealth, but contempt, a living, roaring symbol of how impunity is won by those who believe the law is for other people.
If you buy into The Mohameds’ narrative that drop-
ping the Lamborghini undervaluation case was mere political interference, watch my interview with Attorney General Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, MP. It is available now on his Facebook page. You’ll see how Guyana’s extradition proceedings aren’t driven by showmanship but by legal rigour, as demonstrated in the Troy Thomas case, where the APNU-AFC government in 2018 laid out its submission before Justice Jo-Ann Barlow: detailed evidence, treaty obligations, and a clear defence of national interest.
FROM PAGE 8
applied with purpose, STEM becomes a powerful engine that accelerates innovation, drives new industries, expands economic opportunity and propels Guyana towards a more sustainable and prosperous future.
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.
And tomorrow, as the Mohameds’ extradition returns to the Magistrate’s Court for another dizzying round of spin doctoring, misinformation, and favourable amplification from the fawning lickspittle of an editor at the helm of Stabroek news echo chamber, remember, this battle is about more than personalities; it’s about the financial security, legal integrity, and international reputation of Guyana itself.
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.
AG warns against treating transnational crimes as domestic matters
--emphasises that extradition matters are strictly within an international framework
EFFORTS to treat international financial crimes as domestic matters are misguided, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall S.C., has stated, warning that failure to act responsibly in high-profile extradition matters could send the wrong global signal that Guyana is willing to stand apart from international obligations.
The Attorney General made these remarks on Friday evening during a televised interview with the state media, where he stated that there are international laws in place to keep financial systems clean, secure and to ensure that transnational crimes are properly dealt with.
Nandall reiterated that Guyana has clear legal and moral obligations to co-operate in the fight against organised international crime and noted that the extradition proceedings against U.S.-indicted Azruddin Mohamed and his father, Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed, are administrative and procedural and not to be tried as a criminal trial in the domestic courts.
As he made it clear that extradition is not a complicated process, Nandlall said: “Guyana has a duty as part of its global obligation to participate in the fight against transnational crimes, organised crimes, and criminality generally, to assist in
this process, and Guyana has a track record of so doing.”
The Attorney General further explained Guyana’s expansive statutory legal framework and commitment to international obligations, dating back to when Guyana was previously on money-laundering blacklists by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) in 2013 and the European Union (EU) until 2019 due to non-compliance with anti-money laundering legislation.
He noted that the country has since made significant progress and has passed the necessary legislation and implemented reforms.
“Once the international
financial network is contaminated by illicit and organised criminal activity, then the whole world is contaminated, and that is what we have to get into our heads.
This is not a minor fraudulent offence about not declaring customs duties or not paying the right customs duties. This is the movement of gold, and you’re using the American customs department,” Nandlall said, noting that the integrity of the global system was compromised by the Mohameds.
The father-and-son duo are facing 11 charges in a Florida court – including money laundering, bribery, mail and wire fraud and tax evasion. As extradition pro-
ceedings began on October 31, the lawyers representing the U.S alleged that the Mohameds’ operations include connections in high offices in Venezuela, the U.S. and the Middle East, and warned that their connections posed a serious hindrance to the course of justice.
The U.S. prosecution team further noted that the
father-and-son duo are key figures in an “international criminal enterprise.”
Amidst the explosive allegations being posed by the U.S. team, it was further alleged that the Mohameds have supported local criminal activities and civil unrest, which have undermined public order and security in Guyana.
Auditor General lauds government’s commitment to parliamentary scrutiny of debt management
THE Audit Office of Guyana, in its 2024 report, has found that the government continues to uphold strong standards of fiscal transparency, particularly in relation to external borrowing.
The report highlights that all new loan agreements for 2024 were submitted to the National Assembly for scrutiny, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to open governance and parliamentary accountability in managing Guyana’s public debt.
During the period under review, Auditor General Deodat Sharma said the government entered into four new loan agreements totalling $53.306 billion.
There were also disbursements on three of these loans during the year 2024 totalling $10.067 billion. On January 12, 2024, a facility was secured with UniCredit Bank Austria–EKN Sweden valued at €135 million, equivalent to G$29.1 billion, for the design, build, and delivery of medical equipment for a new hospital campus in New Amsterdam.
Later, on February 23, 2024, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a US$90 million loan, amounting to G$18.7 billion, to support educational recovery and transformation
under Loan No. 5809/OC-GY.
Both of these agreements were laid before the National Assembly in May 2024. Additional financing was sourced from the Export-Import Bank of India to enhance the country’s renewable energy and aviation capabilities.
On February 29, 2024, Guyana signed a US$2.5 million loan (equivalent to G$521 million) for the installation of a solar photovoltaic power plant at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, followed by another agreement on March 15, 2024, for US$23.37 million (approximately G$4.87 billion) to facilitate the procurement of two Hindustan 228-201 aircraft.
These loans, also laid in May 2024, collectively reflect Guyana’s strategic approach to financing infrastructure,
education, health, and energy projects aimed at long-term national transformation.
The report also notes that the total Public Debt stood at G$1.283 trillion or the equivalent of US$6.154 billion at the end of 2024, as compared with the sum of G$976.238 billion or the equivalent of US$4.682 billion at the end of 2023, representing an increase of G$306.895 billion.
The Auditor General reminded that Section 3(1) of the External Loans Act authorises the Government to raise loans outside of Guyana not exceeding G$400 billion.
In February 2021, the external debt ceiling was increased to G$650 billion, while in July 2023 the ceiling was increased to G$900 billion and in February 2024 there was a further increase to $1.500 trillion.
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall S.C.
Gov’t advances Georgetown drainage improvement project with key stakeholder engagements
--task force outlines action plan to strengthen flood resilience and modernise city infrastructure
AS part of ongoing efforts to boost Georgetown’s resilience against flooding and modernise urban infrastructure, the multi-agency National Drainage Task Force on Friday held a series of stakeholder engagements focused on the Georgetown Drainage Improvement Project and Action Plan.
The meetings, led by Minister of Housing and
tems are integral to sustainable growth and urban resilience,” Minister Croal said. “We are implementing a short-, medium-, and long-term plan to address the city’s infrastructure challenges through a holistic approach that also includes road and parapet improvements.”
The Georgetown Drainage Improvement Project forms part of the Government’s broader Low-Car -
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, and NDIA Head Lionel Wordsworth, brought together representatives from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG)
Water Collin Croal, and Head of the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) Mr. Lionel Wordsworth, brought together representatives from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), and the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry Guyana (WCCIG). Minister Croal underscored the Government’s commitment to building a more climate-resilient capital city, noting that improved drainage is essential for sustainable growth and urban development.
“Efficient drainage sys-
bon Development Strategy (LCDS), which promotes environmentally sustainable and climate-adaptive infrastructure across the country.
Delivering a technical presentation on behalf of the Task Force, Mr. Wordsworth and a team of NDIA engineers outlined the current drainage challenges, including blockages, aging infrastructure, and inadequate outflow capacity. They also proposed modern engineering solutions to improve efficiency and reduce flood risks across the capital.
The private sector bodies present expressed strong support for the initiative,
emphasizing its importance to economic development, business continuity, and environmental protection.
The engagement also included senior representatives from several partner agencies within the Task Force, such as the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), the Georgetown City Council, the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, and the Sea and River Defence Department.
Among those in attendance were Ms. Germene Stewart, Chief Development TURN TO PAGE 12
Gov’t to invest $2.7B in direct support to rice farmers this crop
MINISTER of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, announced on Saturday in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) that for the current crop, the government will invest approximately $2.7 billion in direct support to rice farmers across the country.
Each farmer will continue to receive $300 for every bag of paddy sold, with an estimated nine million bags expected this crop. Minister Mustapha explained that, unlike previous crops when payments were made through millers, this time the money will be paid directly to farmers.
He said the initiative forms part of the government’s continued efforts to reduce production costs and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
“I told GRDB (Guyana Rice Development Board) that we will not pass the money through the millers, GRDB will pay the money directly, so if you sell five bags of paddy from the miller and we get that record, you will get $1500,” the agriculture minister said.
He reminded that during the last crop, rice farmers across the country benefited from $2.9 billion in direct support, in addition to $2 billion worth of fertiliser provided to aid production. The government also supplied chemicals and other inputs as part of its broader agricultural interventions.
“In Black Bush Polder alone, there are 22,000 acres of rice under cultivation. We have to continue working to reduce the cost of production
because, from the government’s side, we are making tremendous contributions to help you all,” Mustapha said.
Reflecting on challenges faced last crop, he noted that a paddy bug infestation had prompted a large-scale spraying exercise coordinated by the GRDB to minimise losses after farmers said they could not afford to carry out the spraying themselves.
Minister Mustapha further explained that global market conditions continue to influence local rice prices.
“Last year, India had restricted rice exports on the world market. However, this crop, India released and dumped 20 million tons of rice globally, which immediately affected rice prices,” he stated.
On the infrastructure
front, the minister reported that the new pump station for the front lands in Black Bush Polder is 75 per cent com-
pleted, with modern systems being installed in the current pump systems to improve irrigation.
“We are ensuring we modernise the sector and help you, the farmers, to get better infrastructure,” he said, expressing hope that the new pumps will prevent irrigation issues.
Region Six currently
has approximately 62,000 acres planted, and the government’s long-term goal remains the production of one million tons of rice, Minister Mustapha noted.
“You are seeing increased production in the rice industry, you are seeing the investments the government is making in the industry,” he stressed.
Gov’t advances Georgetown drainage improvement project with key stakeholder...
Planner at CH&PA; Mr. Intakab Indarjeet, Deputy Director of Projects at CH&PA; Mr. Colvern Venture, City Engineer; Mr. Walter Narine, Solid Waste Manager at the Georgetown City Council; Mr. Kevin Samad, Chief Sea and River Defence Officer; Mr. Naseem Nasir, Manager of the Land Information and Mapping Division at the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission; and Mr. Adrian Cheong, Senior Surveyor of the Geodetic Section–Surveys Division.
The National Drainage Task Force, established by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, is mandated to coordinate flood-prevention measures, improve drainage infrastructure, and ensure inter-agency collaboration in the management of Georgetown’s drainage network.
In the coming weeks, the Task Force will expand
consultations to include other agencies, private sector organizations, and residents of various communities. The schedule for public consultations will be published in the daily newspapers this weekend and shared on the official social media pages of the Ministry of Housing and Water, CH&PA, the Department of Public Information, and other Task Force member agencies.
Residents and stakeholders are also invited to submit feedback or recommendations via email at nationaldrainagetaskforce.gy@ gmail.com.
This consultative approach, officials said, is aimed at ensuring that the final action plan reflects broad stakeholder input and delivers practical, sustainable solutions to improve drainage and reduce flooding in Georgetown.
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, speaking to farmers in Yakusari, Black Bush Polder on Saturday
Guyana Training College will be a ‘game-changer’ – Prof. Sankat
AS Guyana’s energy landscape continues to accelerate, Professor Clement Sankat, the Director of the Guyana Training College Inc. (GTTCI) in Port Mourant, Berbice, says the nation’s future depends on building a strong base of skilled professionals and not just academic graduates.
He made these remarks during a preview of today’s airing of the ‘Starting Point’ Podcast – the Oil and Gas edition - where he will delve into how the GTTCI is crucial in filling a critical gap in Guyana’s workforce development.
He said: “When I came here, I told the President (Dr. Irfaan Ali) and the Vice President (Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo) that I think what Guyana needs badly is technical training for the oil and gas industry. Universities tend to produce academic pro -
fessionals.
But for every professional with a degree in engineering, for example, you need a half dozen technicians, and the country is short on those kinds of skills.”
He further shared that he proposed engaging in technical training as it is important to develop this skillset.
“I was able to put a paper together, which was accepted by the government, and it laid the basis for the creation of this Guyana Technical Training College.
So, I came back and was given a task that I myself wanted to do.
So, I am pursuing this with a lot of passion, because I think it’s going to be a major game changer for technical training for oil and gas,” he said.
The GTTCI, supported financially by ExxonMobil, the Stabroek Block co-venturers, and the government,
welcomed its first cohort of locally trained students in October 2025—a landmark in technical education.
ExxonMobil Guyana continues to deepen its commitment to local content and
workforce development, investing heavily in Guyanese businesses, training, and industrial capacity.
Since beginning operations in 2015, ExxonMobil and its contractors have
spent over US$2.9 billion with local businesses. In the first half of 2025 alone, US$419 million (approximately GY$87 billion) was directed to 1,800 Guyanese vendors, demonstrating a
strong focus on supporting local industry.
This year also marked a milestone with the launch of in-country fabrication at the Vreed-en-Hoop Shore Base Inc. (VEHSI), including the production of quad joints and Pipeline End Terminations (PLETs), a step that enhances Guyana’s industrial capabilities.
ExxonMobil’s internship programme is also yielding tangible results. Of the inaugural class, five interns have already joined the company, while the 2025 programme continues to provide young Guyanese with meaningful opportunities in the oil-andgas sector.
These initiatives reflect ExxonMobil Guyana’s ongoing effort to foster local expertise, strengthen the domestic workforce, and contribute to the sustainable growth of Guyana’s oil-and-gas industry.
Professor Clement Sankat, Director of the Guyana Training College Inc.
CANU destroys over $710M in illegal drugs
THE Ministry of Home Affairs and the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU) have reinforced Guyana’s zero-tolerance stance on the drug trade as more than GY $710 million worth of narcotics were destroyed.
The drugs, which included over 600 kilograms of cocaine and nearly 310 kilograms of marijuana, were burned during a CANU exercise at Homestretch Avenue on Saturday morning. The
destruction, officials said, marks the conclusion of several completed court cases and sends a clear message to drug traffickers that Guyana remains firm in its zero-tolerance approach to the illicit trade.
Speaking to members of the media, Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, noted the impact and importance of the exercise, highlighting the work being done by CANU. Moreover,
Minister Walrond noted that the drugs are products of cases that have been completed.
“The cases have been completed, so that’s an important thing to note, that these are matters that have already gone through the courts, and these are exhibits, and they are now going to be destroyed,” the security minister said.
According to Minister Walrond, the destruction exercise also sends a clear mes-
seeking to use
as a place of illegal
business.
“What it does is send a very strong signal to traffickers, because these, most of the drugs, are meant for transhipment, [and] that Guyana is not the place to make this kind of investment, because…this is hundreds of millions of dollars going up in smoke, literally.”
The minister added, “Guyana is very serious about our country being used as a transhipment point, and we will seize and destroy your drugs, and what drug traffickers will consider a great investment is going up in flames.”
Meanwhile, head of CANU, James Singh, shared similar sentiments, placing the destruction in the wider context of CANU’s steppedup interdiction work and international co-operation.
Singh said most of the consignments were destined for transhipment, primarily to Europe, parts of the Caribbean and West Africa.
While locally, the drugs have been valued in the millions, Singh said international street value could mean that more than a billion Guyana dollars’ worth of drugs were destroyed.
“The price varies according to the specific country, but suffice to say that we have over a billion Guyana dollars’ worth of drugs being destroyed this morning,” he stated.
This, Singh said, highlights that seizures took place despite the country’s porous borders.
“It clearly shows that, despite the fact that, as it’s labelled, that we have porous TURN TO PAGE 17
sage to those who are part of the drug trade
Guyana
Over $710 million worth of cocaine and marijuana were destroyed during CANU’s destruction exercise on Saturday at Homestretch Avenue (Japheth Savory photos)
Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond and Head of CANU, James Singh
Parag launches online anti-bullying platform...
she said.
According to Minister Parag, those subjects would be taught in an engaging manner.
“Students might think moral education and religious education are boring, but we’ll try to make the delivery fun so that they will grasp what we want them to grasp,” she added.
“Moral education should be the foundation upon which we become better human beings as we grow. It will also contribute heavily to the eradication of bullying,” Parag affirmed.
Closing her remarks, the
minister expressed optimism that the combination of policy, technology, and education reform would drive real change. “We will lead this initiative with compassion, with energy, and with collaboration until we achieve the result, we all want,” she concluded.
‘School safety is public safety’ Meanwhile, Home Affairs
Minister Oneidge Walrond called for a united national response to bullying in schools, emphasising that “school safety is public safety.”
Speaking at the consulta-
tion, the minister described bullying as a public security issue that must be addressed with “practical, coordinated, and compassionate” action.
“Where a child is afraid to go to school, that is a public safety concern,” Walrond said. “And where he or she suffers silently after being harassed online, that is a public safety concern.”
She warned that bullying—whether “physical, verbal, social, or online”— causes fear, isolation, and even self-harm, underscoring the urgency of prevention.
Highlighting the rise of cyberbullying, the security
CANU seizes nearly 24 kilograms of cocaine in Parika raid
RANKS of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU), on Friday, seized almost 24 kilograms of cocaine during an operation at Hydronie, Parika, East Bank Essequibo.
According to a press release, acting on intelligence, CANU ranks searched a residence in the area, where they discovered several parcels containing a whitish, powdery sub-
minister pointed to “impersonation, group chat pileons, non-consensual image sharing, and the use of AI” as growing threats to students’ dignity and mental health. She revealed that the Guyana Police Force’s Cyber Crime Unit has been taking active steps, including workshops and partnerships with social media companies, to remove harmful content.
Walrond proposed the appointment of trained anti-bullying officers in every school, a 24-hour reporting standard, and a national escalation matrix to ensure timely and balanced responses.
“Every child deserves respect and freedom to learn,” she concluded. “If we get this right, we strengthen not only our schools, but the
stance suspected to be cocaine. The substance was later tested and confirmed to be cocaine, weighing 23.958 kilograms.
Three suspects were arrested in connection with the discovery and were taken to CANU’s headquarters along with the narcotics. Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
CANU destroys over...
borders, we’re still intercepting the drugs when they get into the country and preventing it from being further transhipped, whether it’s off the coast of Africa, Europe, or even the United States.
“This is a clear indication that, with the support of the government, both police and CANU are continuing to fulfil their mandate, and the fact that we have not seen seizures outside of Guyana is a demonstration that what we’re doing is effective.”
Singh emphasised that the destruction follows careful forensic testing and ministerial approval, not ad-hoc decisions. As he explained, the process for drug destruction was overseen by both
CANU and ministry officials.
“In addition to that, like the police force, before the drugs are destroyed, we would write the minister, getting approval and updating the minister on the status of the cases.
It’s not randomly selected, and as you can see, it still has the wrappings, which was what was presented in court.”
Pointing to recent seizures across the country, Singh said the exercise was part of a broader campaign combining supply reduction with community outreach.
“Just last night, we had another seizure involving a foreign national and a Guyanese, where drugs were
coming in.
FROM PAGE 16
We managed to intercept it before it was for the transhipment. We’ve had seizures in Lethem, we’ve had seizures in Berbice,” he said, noting the role of international partners.
“A lot of the cases that we’ve seen here are as a result of close co-operation with our colleagues from Suriname, the United States DEA, and the French.” Singh also took the opportunity to send a blunt warning to traffickers: “as the minister said, we want to highlight the fact that Guyana is a place not to do business. If you try to bring it in, we will stop it.”
very peace and security of our nation.”
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to eradicating bullying and promoting youth empowerment. She alluded to the ministry’s Young Influencers Programme, which empowers young Guyanese between the ages of 15 and 25 to become advocates for social change within their communities and across the nation.
According to her, the Young Influencers Programme has united youth from across the country, enabling an anti-bullying initiative to be implemented in schools.
Dr Persaud highlighted the importance of mentor-
ship and advocacy, noting, “We can develop spaces where those young people who are role models can use their voices for advocacy. No child, no young person should feel diminished.” She added, “Together we can build a land where bullying can be eradicated in the shortest possible order,” pledging her ministry’s full support.
Saturday’s consultation also saw the participation of Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain, Education Ministry Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar, head teachers, educators, school children, religious leaders, and representatives from the private sector and civil society.
The cocaine seized by CANU
Region Two residents urged to take up GOAL scholarships
SCORES of people turned out on Saturday at the Anna Regina Secondary School, as the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) brought its outreach exercise to Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam).
The activity was timely, coinciding with the opening of the GOAL portal for applications to the 2026 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
The Guyana Online Academy of Learning continues to create access to education for citizens across the country, offering fully funded
opportunities provided by the Government of Guyana in partnership with several reputable international universities.
Among the courses being offered are associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programmes across multiple disciplines, including education, nursing, business, public health, logistics, and data science.
To apply, persons can visit the website https://portal.goalapplication.com. The portal was opened on November 5,2025 and closes on December 31, 2025.
Addressing the large
turnout, Regional Chairman, Devin Mohan, urged persons to seize the opportunity and qualify themselves through the government’s free edu -
cation programme. He emphasised that the government continues to invest heavily in education to empower its citizens, especially young
people, so that they can improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Mohan noted that many people in Region Two are already enrolled in GOAL programmes and are successfully upskilling themselves. He commended the GOAL team for their guidance and continued support in helping residents achieve their academic ambitions.
Programme Manager of GOAL, Rubesh Raul Ganpat, explained that the initiative provided one-on-one guidance to applicants, ensuring that those interested in studying were properly assisted and informed about the process.
Ganpat also highlighted two important programmes — the U.S. High School Diploma and the SCQF Programme — that are designed for persons who did not attain passes in Mathematics or English. These programmes, once completed, are internationally recognised and
allow students to progress to bachelor’s and later to master’s degrees. “There is an opportunity for everyone,” Ganpat assured. “You can start from a certificate, move to a diploma, and climb the ladder to your degree.”
One of the most inspiring moments of the outreach came when Edon Singh, a differently-abled individual born without arms or legs, successfully signed up to pursue the U.S. High School Diploma. Singh expressed his joy and gratitude to the GOAL team for making such opportunities accessible, proving that education truly has no barriers.
Ganpat described the outreach as highly successful, noting that many queries were answered and several new applications were initiated on the spot. Also present at the activity were Deputy Regional Executive Officer, Omesh Sasenaryan and Head of the Education Committee of the RDC, Parmanand Singh.
Scores of people turned up at the Anna Regina Secondary School to learn about the GOAL scholarships
‘RoRo’ upgrades set to transform passenger experience on Parika-Supenaam route
MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, on Saturday, announced a series of essential upgrades to the roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels operating the Parika to Supenaam route, aimed at enhancing passenger comfort, safety, and operational efficiency.
During an inspection of the Sabanto vessel at Parika Stelling on Saturday, Minister Ramraj emphasised that the improvements were critical to maintaining reliable and efficient ferry service, which is vital for both daily commuters and the transport of goods.
“These upgrades are not just basic—they are essential for improving service reliability and ensuring a smoother, more comfortable experience for everyone who depends on these vessels,” he stated.
The planned improvements include modern seating arrangements, upgraded washroom facilities, and other passenger-focused amenities designed to make journeys more convenient and enjoyable. In addition, measures are being taken to enhance vessel hygiene, safety protocols, and overall operational readiness, ensuring that passengers travel in a safe and pleasant environment.
The Sabanto and Kanawan vessels are the mainstay of the Parika-Supenaam route in Region Two, transporting passengers, ve-
hicles, and essential goods. With four daily return trips and five on Mondays and Saturdays, these vessels are a lifeline for residents and businesses.
The upgrades are expected to minimise service disruptions, improve turnaround times, and enhance the overall travel experience, benefitting thousands of commuters each week.
Minister Ramraj also inspected the MB Sandaka, Makuria, and Hercules vessels, receiving updates on their operational status. He underscored that all vessels follow dedicated cleaning schedules and maintenance routines, with weekly rotations to ensure high standards of hygiene and comfort are maintained across the fleet.
The upgrades are part of the Ministry of Public Works’ broader strategy to modernise maritime transport across Guyana, creating a passenger-centred approach that prioritises safety, efficiency, and convenience. These improvements are expected not only to benefit daily commuters but also to boost tourism and support local commerce, as reliable ferry services are essential for the movement of people and goods in Region Two.
Accompanied by Transport and Harbours Board Member, Louise Williams, officials from the Transport and Harbours Department, the Stelling Superintendent, and vessel captains and crews, Minister Ram-
raj reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that ferry services are dependable, safe, and comfortable for all passengers.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, inspects the Sabanto vessel at the Parika Stelling
Existing landowners to benefit from govt’s 40,000-home construction plan --Minister Croal says
AS the government pursues its ambitious plan to construct 40,000 houses within the next five years, Minister of Housing Collin Croal says that residents who already own plots will not be left out, as they will have the opportunity to benefit from upcoming construction programmes.
The minister made these remarks during a recent episode of the ‘Starting Point Podcast,’ where he outlined the government’s comprehensive housing agenda, emphasising equitable access, community development and economic growth as key priorities.
“We’re looking at volumes, as well as the time
span, because expediency is also of concern.
We have a number of areas we are currently looking at, lands to construct houses, but I also want to say the opportunity exists for those who have already been allocated,” Minister Croal said.
Although the Housing Ministry has already identified several areas where construction will soon begin as part of its ambitious goal to deliver 40,000 houses within five years, Minister Croal said the initiative will also benefit persons who have already applied to the ministry. Minister Croal said the initiative will involve collaboration with contractors who will showcase different house designs on-site.
Banks, according to him, will also be on site to pre-qualify prospective homeowners, facilitating easier access to finance.
The government has been persistent in its efforts to ensure every Guyanese citizen has the opportunity to become a homeowner.
The government inherited a backlog of over 70,000 housing applications when it took office in August 2020.
However, this figure did not deter the Irfaan Ali-led administration from carrying out its ambitious housing plan to deliver 50,000 house lots during its first term in office.
Through deliberate policies, the government exceeded its house-lot target in less than five years by delivering over 50,000 house lots to Guyanese from every income bracket, which stands in sharp contrast to just over 7,000 lots that were distributed by the previous administration during its entire tenure in office.
According to statistics
from the Ministry of Housing, 47 per cent of the house lots that were allocated were given to women, while 90 per cent went to low-income families.
Having surpassed its target of delivering 50,000 house lots, the Ministry of Housing is now tasked with building 40,000 homes over the next five years, in keeping with the government’s 2025 Manifesto promise.
The government has also implemented a series of housing programmes to help Guyanese realise their dream of owning a home, such as low-interest rates at the local banks, and providing them with thousands of dollars in steel-and-cement vouchers.
Under the steel-and-cement subsidy programme, over 2,000 individuals across the country have received vouchers totalling over $500 million since 2022. Homebuilders are provided with one sling of cement and the required steel to build the foundation of houses costing $6 million or less.
Those constructing homes valued between $6 million and $25 million are provided with two slings of cement and the necessary steel to complete the foundation.
Another initiative by the government is the Core Home Support initiative that falls under the $5.8 billion Adequate Housing and Urban Accessibility Programme (AHUAP), which targets vulnerable families and provides them with affordable core homes.
The other components of this project are the housing subsidy and the construction of community grounds.
Minister of Housing, Collin Croal
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
FFOS LAS
08:40hrs Our Boy Stan
09:10hrs Impatient
09:40hrs Southfield Finale
10:15hrs Bataillon
10:50hrs Boston Joe
11:25hrs Bells Of Ufford
12:00hrs Katie’s Melody
SANDOWN
08:30hrs Salver
09:00hrs Kado De Joie
09:30hrs Into The Park
10:05hrs Hurricane Pat
10:40hrs Nardaron
11:15hrs Only The Bold
11:50hrs Saint Invictus
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
TURFFONTEIN
08:20hrs Almond Sea
08:55hrs Kisshoten
09:35hrs Shoot The Rapids
10:10hrs Taegan’s Champ
10:45hrs Player
IRISH RACING TIPS MAAS
08:20hrs Crecora Hills
08:50hrs Murat
09:20hrs Our Lucky Lady
09:52hrs Fruit De Mer
10:27hrs Spillane’s Tower
11:02hrs Inthepocket
11:37hrs Beckett Rock
Rybakina upsets Sabalenka to claim record £4m prize
ELENA Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in women’s tennis history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the WTA Finals.
The 26-year-old produced a stunning display to overcome four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Because both players came through the tournament undefeated, the prize money on offer was a record-breaking £3.98m - the largest payout offering in women’s tennis history.
The prize money tops the £3.74m Sabalenka, 27, earned for winning September’s US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in 2025.
“It’s been an incredible week,” said Rybakina, of Kazakhstan.
“I honestly didn’t expect any result so to go so far was just incredible.
“I want to say congratulations to Aryna for being number one for a second year in a row, it’s an incredible achievement.”
Rybakina, who was the world number six, hit 16 winners during a dominant firstset display.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two
12:10hrs Torpille Dagrostis Sunday, November 9th, 2025
break points before winning all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and held her serve to seal the first set.
With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.
But, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina’s rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering two set points in the next game to level the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka’s failure to level the match affected her tie-break performance, with Rybakina winning all seven points to take home the title.
The victory, Rybakina’s sixth over Sabalenka, means the she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world.
A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the match.
“It was not the best performance from me today but Elena you were definitely the better player,” Sabalenka, of Belarus, told the crowd.
“You literally smashed me out of the court. I’m happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful trophy.” (BBC Sport)
Lots of giveaways for fans at Sunday’s finals
• From Page 28
Meanwhile, Over-40 matches are scheduled for Essequibo while the Over-50s will battle for supremacy in Georgetown. Due to a lack of entries, the GSCL has decided to cancel the Open category which was supposed to be held in Berbice.
The winners the men’s categories are guaranteed $500,000 while the runnersup will take home $100,000. Other incentives will also be up for grabs, with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in each category, including the women, riding off with a motorcycle.
The winners of the women’s category will be awarded $200,000 and the losers $100,000.
The draw is set to be held at the Gandhi Youth Organisation (GYO) ground at 17:00 hours on Tuesday.
Elena Rybakina sealed her 45th hard court win of 2025
Antetokounmpo lights up Bulls with 41 points
AFTER an eventful first night of NBA Cup action, the league’s in-season tournament returned with a slate of games highlighted by a pair of nationally televised Western Conference clashes.
The Spurs got arguably the loudest win of the night after bookending halftime with a pair of runs against the Houston Rockets. Victor Wembanyama was again his gamebreaking self with 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks, though he also had help from Stephon Castle (14 points, 13 assists), Harrison Barnes (24 points) and Julian Champagnie (22 points, five steals).
De’Aaron Fox still hasn’t played a game for San Antonio this season, but they’re 6-2 and now leading Group C in the West. The Golden State Warriors were also without an All-Star point guard in Stephen Curry, and unsurprisingly felt that absence much more in a 129-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets. They were overwhelmed by Nikola Jokić and his 26 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists in a fairly simple night at the office for the three-time MVP.
Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 41 points as the Bucks handed the Chicago Bulls their second loss of the season, while the Dallas Mavericks — missing Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving — got rolled by the Memphis Grizzlies 118-104. A 40-point Minnesota Timberwolves
win over the Utah Jazz was also notable because a) it was such a blowout that Minnesota moved ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the point differential fight and b) the green court was so bright the glow was legitimately reflecting onto the faces of people on the court.
The Emirates NBA Cup is played every Friday until Nov. 28. The week of Thanksgiving will feature additional groupplay games on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The quarterfinals will be played from December 9-10. Then the semifinals and championship will be held on December 13 and December 16, respectively. (Yahoo Sports)
Jurel’s second ton hands India A hefty lead
DHRUV Jurel registered his second ton of the game while Rishabh Pant overcame an injury scare to score a quick-fire 65 as the glovemen put India in a dominant position at the end of Day 3 of the second unofficial Test against South Africa A at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Riding on Jurel’s 127 not out, Harsh Dubey’s 84 and Pant’s brisk half-century, India A posted 382 for 7 in their second innings before declaring, giving South Africa A a target of 417. The visitors reached 25 for 0 at Stumps, needing 392 more on the final day.
Starting the day at 78 for 3, India A lost KL Rahul early. Rishabh Pant, who came out to bat next, suffered three hits from pacer Tshepo Moreki - he was struck on the helmet, on his left elbow and in the abdomen region - before retiring hurt on 17 off 22.
Nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav was the next to fall, leaving India A at 116 for 5. Jurel and Harsh Dubey then got together and put on a big stand to give the hosts a hefty lead. They steadied the innings first, taking India A to 143 for 5 at Lunch. Jurel and Dubey continued solidly in the second session as they brought up a century stand in 131 balls, and both batters registered halfcenturies as well, with regular boundaries and good strike rotation ensuring India A made steady progress. At Tea, both entered the 70s, taking India A to 270 for 5.
Post Tea, South Africa A opted for the second new ball and Moreki struck immediately, dismissing Dubey to end a
partnership worth 184 as India lost their sixth wicket after they reached 300 in the 81st over.
Pant returned to bat and he dealt in big hits as he raced to a 48-ball fifty with a six off Kyle Simmonds. This came shortly after Jurel brought up another three-figure score - he got there with a boundary off Tiaan van Vuuren and struck three more fours in the same over.
The partnership eventually ended when Pant fell to Simmonds attempting another big hit, soon after which India declared their innings. South Africa A’s openers - Jordan Hermann and Lesego Senokwane - batted watchfully as they saw off the 11-over period before Stumps without any damage.
Hermann scored 15, including two fours while Senokwane struck one boundary in his 9 as they went back unbeaten. Mohammed Siraj (6 overs), Akash Deep (3 overs) and Prasidh Krishna (2 overs) handled the bowling duties in the small period of play before stumps. (Cricbuzz)
CSK confirm Dhoni will play IPL 2026
MS Dhoni is not done with the IPL and the India cricket great is certain to feature in the next season of the league for Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The confirmation to the effect has come from the franchise itself, with CEO Kasi Viswanathan telling Cricbuzz, “that’s right,” even as information has emerged that Sanju Samson trade issue is back on the CSK table.
Viswanathan, who has been with the franchise since its inception in 2008 - just like Dhoni himself - recently told a young fan about the CSK talisman’s availability for the upcoming season. On Friday, he reiterated the point to this website, saying, “MS has told us that he will be available for the next season.”
Like Dhoni, Viswanathan has been the
backbone of the five-time champions, besides being a close confidant of N Srinivasan, the franchise owner. While Dhoni’s (44) participation in the IPL has been a recurring question ahead of a season for the last few years, the CSK CEO’s confirmation should put an end to the speculation for at least the 2026 edition.
The team did not perform too well last year, finishing at the bottom, with Dhoni himself leading the side in the absence of regular skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. If he does turn up next season, it will be his 17th season for the franchise and his 19th overall in the IPL.
Dhoni has featured in 248 matches for CSK, scoring 4,865 runs and leading the side to five titles – in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and 2023. (Cricbuzz)
Giannis Antetokounmpo dropped 41 points
Dhruv Jurel struck an unbeaten 127
Sanjog Gupta outlines ICC’s ‘fit for future’ roadmap, calls for innovation and balance
SUSTAINING and enriching cricket’s core is pivotal to the sport’s future, even as efforts are made to expand into new markets, pointed out Sanjog Gupta. In his address to ICC Board members on Friday, the ICC CEO said the athletic spectacle remains at the heart of the ICC’s vision.
“At the core of a sporting event’s success is the ‘athletic spectacle’ that it offers - we must continually strive for enhanced context, competition and competitiveness in our events.
Our events must be significant cultural experiences - immersive and inclusive - leaving a lasting impact. They need to also be seen as tournaments of prestige for our players, always alluring top players to participate,” Gupta said in his address.
“We need to elevate the stature of our events, sustain fandom with always-on experiences and build affiliated communities & engaged sub-groups. Our ability to generate more value for the ICC membership is linked directly to the depth and breadth of engagement that our product portfolio can deliver and our ability to commercialise engagements across multiple consumer touchpoints,” the ICC chief said in his address, accessed by Cricbuzz.
Gupta emphasised the need to review ICC products with a “fit for future” mindset. “It requires re-visiting existing competition formats and exploring new structures, to deliver enhanced value to our existing fans and recruit new ones.
We need to collectively push for the elevation of our events because the ripple effects created by a successful event run far beyond the geographic boundaries of the host venues and the participating nations,” he pointed out.
He also stressed the importance of
continuing to build enhanced in-person and digital experiences for fans and participants.
“The experiential and engagement economies are booming with most consumer segments increasing spends on ‘unmissable moments’ and ‘immersive experiences’. While on-field athleticism is essential to the delivery of an elevated experience, the entertainment and lifestyle components can’t be ignored.
Similarly, while the live broadcast of our events will continue to be the driver of fan engagement.”
Gupta added that the ICC must relook at its economic model as part of its efforts to diversify and broaden the game. “Cricket must strive to diversify, broaden and deepen its economic model. This requires a re-look at how the sport is currently commercialized and how the prevailing economic models need to be bolstered, refreshed or rebuilt. This will have a significant bearing on the models of partnership with our distribution
Sunderland dramatically end Arsenal’s winning run
BRIAN Brobbey scored a dramatic late equaliser as Arsenal conceded their first goals since September and had to settle for a point against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Black Cats have been a breath of fresh air on their return to the top flight and rose to the challenge of facing a side who had won their past 10 games across all competitions.
Sunderland were rewarded for an impressive first-half display when Daniel Ballard - who came through the Arsenal academy - drove in the opener as the visitors let in a goal for the first time in 812 minutes.
Arsenal came out stronger in the second half and equalised when Declan Rice won the ball in midfield and it was worked to Bukayo Saka, who squeezed in a right-foot shot at the near post.
Martin Zubimendi struck the woodwork with a fierce effort as Arsenal pushed for a winner, which they thought they had got when Leandro Trossard sent a superb 20-yard finish into the top left corner.
But the hosts did not give up and, after David Raya denied Brobbey, the substitute was not to be denied when another chance came his way to be the Sunderland hero.
He hooked a shot into the back of the net in the fourth minute of stoppage time to spark delighted celebrations on Wearside.
The result means Arsenal are seven points clear at the top, although that will be trimmed when second-placed Manchester City host defending champions Liverpool today.
Sunderland, meanwhile, remain unbeaten at home, with this point moving them up to third in the table. (BBC Sport)
and commercial stakeholders.
“It could also mean the introduction of a different profile and segment of partners for international Cricket,” he said, adding that ICC leadership has initiated a strategy reset - a comprehensive framework to define the sport’s growth blueprint for the next decade, seeking to balance sporting integrity, economic sustainability and a fan-first mindset. “Technology will play a pivotal role in the growth of the game. From fan engagement to operations, from data analytics to immersive experiences - adoption and deployment of technology need to become part of Cricket’s DNA. Cricket must be seen as a sport at the forefront of innovation.”
The ICC CEO elaborated on the transformative opportunity presented by cricket’s Olympic return. “Cricket’s inclusion in LA28 (Olympic Games) marks one of the sport’s most transformative opportunities, potentially gaining access to millions of new fans. The ICC teams have been in constant dialogue with the IOC and LA28 for the successful delivery of the event in 2028. We have also recently begun meaningful discussions with Brisbane 2032 for Cricket’s inclusion in their programme.
“The inclusion also promises significant access to government funding allowing deeper investments in the game. Additionally, the inclusion of Cricket in regional multisport competitions such as the Asian, PanAmerican and African Games, will provide further prominence to the sport in regions with limited affiliation to the sport.
This will bolster high-performance and grassroot-level programmes in several nations. The ICC teams continue to engage with sports federations/governing bodies/ governments to push for Cricket’s inclusion in more regional and sub-regional games,”
Gupta said in his presentation.
Cricket will return to the Olympics after 128 years. ICC chair Jay Shah and Gupta were recently in Lausanne, Switzerland, where they met IOC president Kirsty Coventry. The growth of women’s sport and cricket’s role in the Olympic movement were among the key topics of discussion. The duo also held extended talks with teams from IOC, LA28 and Brisbane 2032 on event delivery, competition formats and qualification pathways.
Gupta opened his presentation by underlining the importance of transformation.
“We live in a world where transformation is a constant, with paradigm shifts in consumption and culture underway. Sport as a microcosm of the world, is also being transformed, at times by design and at times, by disruption. At the center of this rapid evolution happens to be the fan, described in his/her distinct but overlapping expressions of fandom - as a consumer, a viewer, a participant and now even a creator.
Today’s fan is more unique, less attentive, highly connected and increasingly demanding, but still seeking a sense of identity, belonging and community, perhaps even increasingly so in a world more polarised and diverse than ever before.
“As custodians of the world’s second largest sport - with 2+ billion fans across 100+ countries - the onus is on us to steer these transformational forces into becoming forces of growth for the global game. We must look upon them as sizeable opportunities instead of allowing them to become limiting challenges.
We must be willing to critique our legacy with an aim to strengthen our future. We must strive to be more creative, collaborative and courageous - the same values our athletes regularly demonstrate on field.” (Cricbuzz)
English Premier League
Brian Brobbey got his first Sunderland goal
Sanjog Gupta emphasised the need to review ICC products with a “fit for future” mindset
Shamar Apple is second youngest cricketer to be picked for Guyana
By Sean Devers
TRANSPORT Sports Club (TSC) wicket-keeper and batter Shamar Apple is the first player from that Club to be picked for a Guyana senior team.
The left-hander, who turned 16 on June 2, is also the second youngest player to be selected for Guyana at the Regional 50-over level since Ramnaresh Sarwan made his debut in 1996 against Barbados at the Queen’s Park Oval as a 15-year-old.
Ironically, it was Sarwan, as Guyana head selector, who picked him.
“I was in the space gym when I heard the news, and when I got home, I was in tears, so yeah, I was emotional.
Playing for Demerara in the InterCounty was very joyful, being around the senior guys like Tevin Imlach, and the others were very good to me as a youngster,” informed an elated Apple.
“When I am over there (in T&T), I want to make good use of my opportunity and try my best to be on the stats table.”
Apple has scored about four centuries in his career, but his most memorable innings in his youth career was playing in Trinidad when he scored a hundred last March.
His other centuries were at the U-17 level (two in the Mayor’s Cup 100 overs) and another in the DCB InterAssociation competition.
In last year’s Regional U-15 tournament in Antigua, Apple scored the most runs for Guyana.
Although he is selected as a batter, Apple says he really loves keeping wicket and could be the second keeper to Kemol Savory.
When asked about his goals in Trinidad later this month, Apple said, “My dream is …by God’s grace…is to perform well for my country.”
He added that he thinks his strengths are playing the right shots and hitting the ball really hard.
Apple, an orphan, has overcome
several hurdles in his young life and is now the best 16-year-old wicketkeeper/ batter in Guyana. He lives with his Aunt in Seaforth Street, Campbellville.
He lived with a family in Lamaha Springs before he was sent to the Child Protection Agency.
At 13, Apple escaped from the orphanage and went to live with his aunt’s sister on the East Bank.
“I went back to live with my Aunt, who worked on a ship and knew I always liked cricket.
I would hit bricks with a piece of wood every time I was sent to the shop.
One day, my Aunt saw me hitting the ball with a pipe and she took me to Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) in Queenstown,” continued the talented young batter who soon joined Transport Sports Club (TSC) in Thomas lands.
Apple was not always a wicketkeeper. According to his coach, Shaun Massiah, the youngster came to the Transport as a bowler.
Nobody answered, so I asked Shamar if he would do the job, and that’s how he started wicket-keeping,” disclosed Massiah.
“I have been coaching Shamar since 2020/2021, during the COVID pandemic, when he joined the club through a connection with my good friend, Romario Samaroo, after I met Shamar in the orphanage.
Shamar is attending Computer World School in Kitty, where he is doing Mathematics and English Language. He also does Maths online with a tutor.” Informed Massiah.
“My Favourite batter is Sherfane Rutherford…that’s what they call me… I bat just like him,” posited the very confident and garrulous young man.
Apple enjoys sitting at home watching old cricket matches.
I want to see more talented players in Guyana go places in cricket and more cricket played in schools”, concluded the pugnacious Apple.
Rain ruins Brisbane finale as India seal 2–1 T20I series win
INDIA claimed a 2-1 series victory over Australia in an anti-climax after the fifth and final T20I was abandoned due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in Brisbane.
After being sent in to bat, there had been intrigue over how India’s top order would fare on a Gabba surface with plenty of bounce and carry. But with their nemesis Josh Hazlewood in Ashes prep mode and again not in the line-up, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill plundered 52 runs before play came to a halt after 4.5 overs.
Abhishek did have luck, having been dropped twice, but Gill was in sweet touch as he smacked 29 off 16 balls.
The series ended the same way it began after rain ruined the opening T20I in Canberra. Australia dominated game two in front of 82,000 fans at the MCG, largely thanks to a rampant Hazlewood, but India ultimately prevailed in the series after their spinners gained a stranglehold on slower surfaces in Hobart and the Gold Coast.
India will head home well pleased ahead of their T20 World Cup title defence on home soil.
“The way everyone chipped in every game, it was a complete team effort with the bat, ball and in the field,” India captain Suryakumar Yadav said.
“I saw what happened with the women’s team winning the World Cup in India, having unbelievable support. When you play at home there is pressure but at the same time there is a lot of excitement.”
In their final hit-out before the T20 World Cup, Australia’s aggressive batting approach against highquality spin attacks has come under scrutiny although recriminations are unlikely amid Ashes hysteria.
“I don’t think I can remember the last time we had so many rain interruptions,” Australia captain Mitchell Marsh said.
“I think there are a lot of learnings to take forward, a lot of positives. The flexibility of our group and the squad that we’re trying to build in a World Cup year has been amazing.”
Earlier, a grinning Marsh once again won the toss but his mood soon soured after the start India’s openers got. There was no settling in for left-arm quick Ben Dwarshuis as Abhishek bludgeoned a boundary over mid-off on the fourth delivery of the match.
He tried to repeat the dose next ball only to miscue high into the air where Glenn Maxwell dropped a straightforward catch.
While Abhishek lived dangerously, Gill was in sublime touch as he stroked four boundaries off Dwarshuis’ second over, the best a gorgeous cover drive.
Typical for Brisbane this time of year, bad weather loomed and the players went off due to lightning before heavy rain cascaded onto the ground in a major disappointment for the sold-out crowd. (ESPN Cricinfo)
John: TTFA should retain Yorke whether or not he qualifies for World Cup
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CM)C – Trinidad and Tobago’s all-time leading goalscorer, Stern John has called for Dwight Yorke to remain as head coach of the national side even if he fails to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
T&T currently sit third in Group B of the CONCACAF Qualifiers on five points, behind leaders Jamaica on nine points and second placed Curacao on eight points,
with only the top two teams assured of an automatic spot in next year’s World Cup. They will face Jamaica in a must-win fixture at home on November 13 in their penultimate game, with their final game coming five days later against winless Bermuda. Yorke was hired by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) in November 2024, and given a mandate to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking during an interview on Isports on i95.5 FM, John, the all-time Central American/Caribbean men’s top goal scorer in international football with 70 goals, said Yorke should not be dismissed if he fails in his bid to get them to the World Cup.
“Of course, of course they should [ask him to stay on] because we need stability. We can’t just keep changing coaches every couple of months and sacking coaches. We
need some kind of structure in our football again,” John, the current head coach of Saint Lucia said. However, he said he still believed T&T could cause an upset and defeat Jamaica in their crucial clash next Thursday. John said while Jamaica will be driven to win to give their country something to cheer about following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Melissa, T&T had the quality to beat them at home.
Wicket-keeper batter Shamar Apple
SLINGERZ NETS $2M PAYDAY!
SLINGERZ Football Club officially collected their reward for a dominant, unbeaten season in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League, securing the championship prize money of GY$2,000,000 (approximately $9,500 USD) at a presentation ceremony on Friday.
The champions, who went the entire 18-match season without a loss, were celebrated at the National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence, where the GFF distributed a total of GY$4,925,000 ($23,500 USD) in club and individual awards for Season VII.
Slingerz FC’s flawless run—16 wins and two draws—culminated in an automatic berth for the CONCACAF Club Championship.
GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay oversaw the ceremony, which paid out the top four clubs in Guyana’s premier football tournament.
The payout went to Slingerz FC ($2M), Guyana Police Force Football Club ($1.2M), Guyana Defence Force Football Club ($800,000) and Western Tigers Football Club ($500,000).
Individual excellence was also rewarded, highlighting the talent pool in the Elite League.
Those awards went to Slingerz FC’s Darron Niles (Most Valuable Player - $150,000), Police Force’s Neron Barrow (Top Goal Scorer$100,000), Slingerz FC’s Akel Clarke (Best Goalkeeper - $100,000) and Santos FC’s Malcolm Hendricks (Best Young Player - $75,000).
Toney steps up to regional 3x3 stage
THE Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has received significant regional recognition, with Vice-President Rawle Toney appointed to the Caribbean Basketball Confederation’s (CBC) 3x3 Working Group.
The appointment, which takes immediate effect and runs through 2027, acknowledges Toney’s influential role in championing the fast-paced 3x3 format, both domestically and across the wider region. The Working Group is tasked with overseeing the promotion, development, and regulation of 3x3 basketball throughout the Caribbean, ensuring alignment with international FIBA standards.
CBC President Leslie Collymore confirmed that Toney will contribute directly to shaping the confederation’s strategic plan for 3x3, including regional event supervision and youth engagement initiatives. Collymore noted Toney’s expertise would be “invaluable in advancing the growth” of the discipline.
GBF President Michael Singh lauded the appointment, calling it a reflection of the federation’s “tremendous strides” in establishing the format in Guyana.
“Having Toney on the CBC Working Group, and our General Secretary Patrick Haynes serving on the FIBA 3x3 Commission, shows that Guyana is well represented at both the regional and international levels,” Singh stated.
Toney, who is also the organiser of the popular local Rawle Toney 3x3 Classic, expressed his commitment to using the role to benefit the wider region. He also revealed that the GBF is planning to roll out pilot projects aimed at expanding 3x3 at the school level in Guyana, with ambitions to replicate the successful model elsewhere in the Caribbean.
Under the current GBF executive, Guyana hosted the Englishspeaking Caribbean’s first-ever 3x3 Quest, attracting 19 teams from 17 countries to vie for a spot on the FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
Stage set for this weekend’s
GSCL’s Unity Softball Cup
THE stage is set for this weekend’s Unity Softball Cup, with the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc aiming to end the 2025 season in a blaze of glory.
Originally set for last month end, the GSCL was forced to postpone the tournament due to the unavailability of grounds. The action bowls off on Thursday with six women teams vying for supremacy at venues in Georgetown while the men will take centre stage on Friday.
The tournament climaxes on Sunday with the staging of all the finals at the Police Sports Club Ground, Eve Leary and according to Managing Director of Regal Stationery & Computer Centre, Mahendra Hardyal, spectators can expect lots of giveaways during the course of the day, more so with the festive season approaching.
Trophy Stall, through its proprietor, Ramesh Sunich, like he has done over the past years, has once more agreed to support the GSCL and will be providing all the trophies to be distributed on Sunday when it’s also expected that Vice-president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Ministers Charles Ramson and Steven Jacobs from the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport will be on hand to officiate in the presentation.
The tournament is being held
in keeping with the wishes of Ministers Ramson and Jacobs, who delivered remarks at the inaugural One Unification softball tournament, urging the GSCL to ensure they make full use of venues across the country.
Minister Ramson advised the tournament’s organisers and players to consider rotating their tournaments around the country in order to broaden the reach and impact.
Following closely on the successful staging of the recent One Guyana Unification extravaganza, the GSCL is once more collaborating with the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport to stage the Unity Softball Cup. According to the organisers, this tournament is being used “to bring our people together through sports and by extension the grassroot game.” • Continues on Page 24
GBF Vice-President Rawle Toney
Flashback: Vice-president Dr Bharrat Jagdeo receives a token of appreciation from GSCL Secretary Telesha Ousman Yamin during the launching of the 2024 Vice-president Softball Cup
From left: GFF General Secretary Pushpargha Chattopadhyay, MVP Darron Niles, Slingerz FC Head Coach Jamaal Shabazz and Best Goalkeeper Akel Clarke (Elite League photo)