Issuu

13th September, 2026

See Inside No.1081905

Digitised access, healthcare training reshaping daily life in hinterland communities – PM Phillips

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HERITAGE IN FULL COLOUR: Prime Minister and Acting President Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Ministers Collin Croal and Sonia Parag, share a moment with young Indigenous performers during the National Heritage Day 2026 celebrations at Bumbury Village in the Mabaruma Sub-District (Region One) In the other photograph, the Prime Minister holds a crab during the crab-catching race

Sod turned for $1.5B Pouderoyen Market

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— new facility to accommodate 145 vendors, boost economic activities across Region Three

Guyana signs MoU with Qatar to advance agricultural technology

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PPP/C only party capable of governing Guyana — Shuman SEE PAGE

— says WIN driven by ‘selfish, narrow interests’, lacks governing capacity; describes PNCR as ‘shadow’ of former self

Parika Stelling diversion jetty to be completed Monday

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Digitised access, healthcare training reshaping daily life in hinterland communities – PM Phillips YOUNG people in hinterland communities can now complete processes online that once required travelling long distances or leaving their community altogether, Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips said, as he pointed to the expansion of information and communications technology (ICT) hubs as one of the more consequential shifts in Indigenous village life. Speaking at the Heritage Village 2026 celebrations at Bunburry village in the Mabaruma sub-district, Prime Minister Phillips said $1.6 billion has

been invested in ICT hubs across hinterland communities since 2021. There are now 170 fully operational hubs, with more under construction. More than 3,000 people from 200 communities have received ICT training, he said, with women making up 75 percent of those trained. The hubs provide access to online applications and public services that were previously out of reach for many residents. “As more services are now available for people online throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, this has a particu-

Scenes from the Amerindian Heritage Village 2026 celebrations

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips along with Minister of Housing, Collin Croal, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Sarah BrowneShadeek, Minister of Education, Sonia Parag, Member of Parliament (MP), Alistair Charlie along with members of a culture group

lar value for young people who previously had to leave their communities or travel considerable distances,” he said, adding that access to technology “now affects education and employment.” Prime Minister Phillips also cited progress in hinterland healthcare He said residents from a number of villages have been trained to provide local primary healthcare services, reducing the need to travel before receiving care. Across Indigenous communities collectively,

some 253 villages, electricity-generating capacity has risen from 1.62 megawatts to 17.5 megawatts, the prime minister said, supporting health facilities, schools, businesses and households. “Development [can] finally be judged by what changes within a household,” he said, adding that government “acknowledges there is still work ahead” on roads, telecommunications, housing and support for local enterprises in some communities.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

PPP/C only party capable of governing Guyana — Shuman

— says WIN driven by ‘selfish, narrow interests,’ lacks governing capacity; describes PNCR as ‘shadow’ of former self SENIOR Government Adviser on Aviation, Lenox Shuman, says he does not believe any political party other than the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is currently capable of governing Guyana. He made the remarks while sharply criticising We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), which he accused of lacking the capacity to govern and being driven by “selfish, narrow interests.” WIN is headed by Opposition Leader and Member of Parliament Azruddin Mohamed, who is under United States sanctions and is currently fighting extradition to the United States. Mohamed was indicted by a US federal grand jury on multiple criminal charges, including money laundering, wire fraud,

Senior Government Adviser on Aviation Lenox Shuman mail fraud and conspiracy, in connection with an alleged scheme involving the evasion of taxes and royalties on gold exports.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast, Shuman said: “I don’t see any other political party that is capable of governing this country aside from the People’s Progressive Party. I really don’t.” Shuman, who founded the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) in 2019 and contested the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections as its presi-

Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed dential candidate, reflected on his own political experience. He acknowledged that while he had identified structural changes he would have sought to implement, he did not have a team capable of governing the country, even if he had won. “Even I, when I contest the elections, yes, I could go there and agitate

PNCR Leader Aubrey Norton on a single issue or a few issues. I understood that there are some structural changes that I probably would implement. But did I have a team to do that? No,” he said. “So, even if Lenox Shuman [had] won the elections, I had zero capacity to govern.” Shuman argued that WIN was in an even weaker position. “And I think when I look at We Invest in Nationhood, they’re in a position that is far worse, because they’re not there to look out for how can we govern Guyana,” he said. The senior government adviser identified what he described as three major shortcomings within WIN: hypocrisy on issues, a lack of governing capacity and what he characterised as “selfish, narrow interests.” Shuman also criticised the approach taken by the opposition leader during his inaugural address in Parliament, contending that the speech focused more heavily on personal battles than national issues. “I think for an inaugural speech in Parliament, the leader of the opposition was more focused on personal battles in speaking instead of national issues. So, to him, it is more of a petty, personal thing compared to dealing

with governing a country,” he said. According to Shuman, the approach demonstrated a preoccupation with personal matters rather than the wider responsibilities associated with governing. “To him, it is more of a petty personal thing compared to dealing with governing a country. And I don’t see them [WIN] being able to do that,” Shuman said. Shuman also took aim at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), describing the party as diminished from its former political strength. “I feel so sorry for the PNC. The PNC is but a shadow of its former self,” he said. He further accused the party of sacrificing its traditional support base for short-term political gains. “I think that they’ve sold their base for short gains,” Shuman said. The PNCR is led by Aubrey Norton, who also leads the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU). The party, once Guyana’s dominant opposition force, suffered significant electoral setbacks in the 2025 General and Regional Elections, with its APNU coalition losing ground and WIN emerging as the larger opposition bloc in the National Assembly.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Gov’t accelerating shift to digitalisation of public services

Minister Ally interacting with a batch of public servants who underwent training WITHIN one year, Guyana has accelerated its transition from paper records and processes towards the broader digitalisation of public services. At the centre of that transformation is Ministry of the Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation led by Minister Zulfikar Ally. He has been driving reforms designed to change how citizens access services, interact with agencies and receive responses, in keeping with President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s new mandate. DIGITAL APPLICATIONS Among the clearest examples are GovConnect, SkillsConnect and Citizens Connect, three digital applications. These address different dimensions of the citizen-government relationship. GovConnect is changing how citizens access government offices. They enable appointments to be booked online. Instead of relying solely on walk-in systems, citizens can select services, available dates and times, and receive appointment

confirmations and notifications. The system is intended to reduce queues, waiting times and uncertainty, while creating a more organised and predictable experience across government agencies. (GovConnect) SkillsConnect, meanwhile, extends digital transformation into economic opportunity. The locally developed platform connects skilled and semi-skilled workers, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, mechanics and other service providers, directly with individuals and businesses requiring their skills. By April, the platform had recorded 1,872 profiles and facilitated 438 job connections, demonstrating how technology is also being used to strengthen Guyana’s labour market and support entrepreneurship. The Citizens Connect App represents another major shift, creating a direct channel through which citizens could report community and government-related issues and follow their resolution. “[The Citizens connect app] is [really] what President Mohamed Irfaan Ali wants to see

A Government Service Centre in Port Mourant, Region Six of government,” Minister Ally said, “which is responding in real time to the issues and the concerns of the citizens of Guyana.” Since its launch, more than 1,800 issues have been submitted. Approximately 1,400 have been resolved. The ministry’s objective is for agencies to respond rapidly, with citizens informed as their reports move through the system. PASSPORT APPOINTMENTS ONLINE FROM OCTOBER 1 Another major milestone in government’s digitalisation drive will take effect from October 1, 2026, when passport appointments become fully online. Citizens will be able to book an appointment, select a time, and access passport services without the uncertainty and lengthy lines traditionally associated with the process. These applications form part of a wider digital ecosystem being built across government. NIS DIGITALISATION The digitalisation of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) is another major component of

the government’s drive to make essential public services more accessible and convenient. By October 15, 2026, NIS registration and contribution services are expected to be fully online, allowing citizens to complete these transactions digitally without visiting an NIS office. During the next phase, compliance and benefits services will be digitalised by the end of the year. This further expands the range of services citizens can access from their homes using a mobile phone, tablet or computer. PUBLIC SERVICE PORTAL The ministry itself is moving away from predominantly paper-based processes through a new digital portal and dashboard. Transactions, including employment requests, contract renewals, scholarships and other human-resource matters are expected to move through the system, with a September 30-go-live date. “Instead of people taking a while to get their employment approved, to get into the financial system…that could be

Minister Ally interacting with staff at the Bartica Service Centre in Region Seven done within a matter of a week or two,” the minister revealed. E-PROCUREMENT Government has also launched the eProcure platform, creating a central online location for Expressions of Interest, Requests for Proposals and other procurement opportunities, while further reforms are intended to facilitate fully electronic bidding and greater transparency in tracking procurement processes. DECENTRALISATION | GOVERNMENT SERVICE CENTRES Digitalisation is being accompanied by decentralisation. Integrated Government Service Centres established across Regions Two, Three, Five, Six, Seven and Nine have already processed more than 205,000 transactions, allowing citizens to access essential services closer to their communities instead of travelling long distances or to Georgetown. For communities where connectivity remains a challenge, more than 175 ICT hubs are operational across hinterland regions, with another 25 being developed. Physical service centres and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDC) help desks also support elderly citizens and persons who may need assistance navigating digital services. MONITORING DASHBOARD

Technology is also strengthening the machinery of government itself. A real-time oversight dashboard now enables ministers, permanent secretaries, engineers and project managers to monitor capital projects, expenditure and implementation progress, helping agencies identify delays and intervene more quickly. PUBLIC SERVANTS TRAINING But digital transformation requires people as much as platforms. Over the past year, approximately 3,481 public servants have been trained in areas including customer service, professionalism and ethics, ICT literacy, project management and digital transformation. Another 857 persons have received training through the Centre for Excellence in Information Technology, while public servants have completed more than 2,753 courses through Coursera. One year into the government’s second term, the trajectory is therefore moving beyond simply putting existing processes online. The emerging objective is a fully digitalised, citizen-centred government in which services are integrated, are accessible across regions, measurable in real time and increasingly available at the touch of a button.(DPI)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Health Starts Early

GUYANA is investing more heavily in healthcare than at any other period in its history, but one of the most important battles being fought does not begin in a hospital. It begins at home, at the dinner table, on the road, in the office, and in the small choices people make every day. That is why Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony’s call for Guyanese to adopt more active lifestyles deserves more than passing attention. Chronic non-communicable diseases remain the leading cause of death in Guyana, accounting for roughly 68 per cent of all

deaths. Cardiovascular disease alone accounts for about 34 per cent, while diabetes and cancers each account for around eight per cent. These are not marginal public health concerns. They are among the biggest threats to the country’s quality of life and long-term productivity. The Government has already moved aggressively on the treatment side. Guyana now has a dedicated Non-Communicable Diseases programme, expanded hypertension and cardiovascular services, nephrology care, tobacco cessation support, and more decentralised clinical services. Screening

for cancers and other chronic conditions has also become a greater part of the national health strategy, while new hospitals and improved regional services are bringing care closer to citizens. But treatment alone will never be enough. A health system can manage diabetes, hypertension, kidney disease and heart problems, but it is far more effective when those conditions are prevented or delayed in the first place. That is where exercise, diet, reduced tobacco and alcohol use, stress management and regular screening become critical.

Dr. Anthony’s point that even 30 minutes of daily activity can make a difference is, therefore, practical advice, not a slogan. For many Guyanese, exercise does not require a gym membership or expensive equipment. It can mean walking around the neighbourhood in the evening, taking the stairs, cycling, playing sport with children, gardening or making a deliberate effort to move more during the day. That matters because Guyana’s development is changing lifestyles. More people are driving instead of walking. Desk jobs are in-

creasing. Convenience foods are more accessible. Urbanisation is reducing physical activity, while long working hours often make healthier routines harder to maintain. The danger is that economic progress can improve living standards while quietly worsening health if society does not adjust. This is precisely why the Government’s focus on wellness must continue alongside its investment in hospitals, technology and specialised treatment. A modern healthcare system should not only cure illness after it appears; it should help citizens avoid illness where possible.

There is also an economic reason for getting this right. A population burdened by chronic disease loses productive years, faces higher household medical costs, and places greater pressure on the public health system. Prevention, therefore, saves lives, but it also saves money and protects the workforce. As Guyana continues its rapid transformation, the country should not only aim to live longer. It should aim to live better. The Government can provide the systems, services and support. The rest begins with us.

Linden is changing and the evidence is becoming impossible to ignore

Dear Editor, THE recent Cabinet outreach in Region 10 where President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made the announcement of two dedicated business districts for Linden, one on the Mackenzie shore and another on Wismar are timely and deserving of strong support. More importantly, this reflects an increasingly defining feature of President Ali’s leadership: an ambitious, practical and results-oriented approach that seeks to convert Guyana’s expanding resources into tangible opportunities for citizens. Linden is growing rapidly in population, housing and commerce. More Lindeners, particularly women and young people, are embracing entrepreneurship. Inevitably, some businesses have emerged on reserves and in areas not legally designated for commercial activities, hence squatting areas. I firmly believe that the sustainable response cannot simply be enforcement and removal. Effective leadership identifies the problem, understands its causes and provides a viable alternative. These pro-

posed business districts by His Excellency can do precisely that, provide legitimate, organised spaces where existing entrepreneurs can formalise their operations and aspiring business owners can enter the market place. From discussions I was privileged to have with President Ali and Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, these districts are intended to accommodate a wide range of enterprises, including groceries, fresh produce, meat and fish, clothing, pharmacies, beauty services, restaurants, automotive services and agro-processing. It is the view that Linden should not build yesterday’s market for tomorrow’s economy. These districts should establish a new standard: modern commercial units, organised business zones, adequate parking, pedestrian areas, drainage, sanitation, lighting, security, waste management and attractive, family-friendly common spaces. Their strategic importance becomes even greater when considered alongside the Linden-Lethem corridor and improved connectivity with northern Brazil. Increased movement of people and goods

can create substantial opportunities in accommodation, logistics, transportation, agriculture, retailing, food services, automotive services and entertainment. This initiative also forms part of a broader development footprint across Linden: expanding housing and community roads, major highway development, the new four-lane Mackenzie-Wismar bridge, investments in healthcare and education with training and building of new schools and health centres, agriculture and agro-processing, sports infrastructure, two new stadiums and soon a boxing gym and recording studio and now organised commercial districts. Individually, critics may dismiss any one project. Collectively, however, they reveal something more significant, a deliberate development agenda for Linden. President Ali and his administration deserve credit for that. I make this observation having previously sat on the other side of Guyana’s political divide and having strongly and vehemently criticised the PPP/C government where I believed criticism was justi-

fied. Where shortcomings in transparency, accountability, efficiency or implementation exist, they should still be confronted, but from all indications the government is taking deliberate steps to address such. Mr Editor, it must be noted that political consistency cannot mean refusing to acknowledge progress, significant progress I must add, simply because it is politically inconvenient. Leadership must ultimately be judged by evidence. Some will correctly argue that Guyana’s petroleum revenues make much of this development possible. But it must be stated profoundly that possessing resources and successfully converting them into national transformation and development are fundamentally different things. History provides enough examples of resource-rich countries that failed to translate wealth into broad-based development. The facts are, resources create capacity; but leadership determines priorities. President Irfaan Ali should therefore be judged not simply by the resources available to his administration, but by

what is being built with them: roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, housing, productive infrastructure, improved agricultural capacity, sports facilities, improved social-welfare programmes and economic opportunities. This does not mean every problem has been solved or every project is perfect. Greater national wealth demands even stronger transparency, accountability and value for money. But demanding accountability should never require intellectual blindness to development and transformation happening to the significant achievements nationally and internationally for Guyana. What is increasingly evident is President Ali's leadership style characterised by ambitious development, direct engagement with communities from the grassroots upwards, openness to practical ideas and an urgency to transform Guyana’s infrastructure and economic geography. The proposed Linden business districts fit squarely within that vision. They can formalise entrepreneurship, create employment, empower women and young people and better position Linden to

benefit from the economic opportunities emerging along the Linden-Lethem-Brazil corridor. As Lindeners, we must also prepare ourselves through training, accessing financing from the new development bank and other financial institutions, in partnerships, innovation and entrepreneurship. We cannot merely observe Guyana’s transformation from the sidelines. Thus, we should ignore the baseless and repetitive political rhetoric of negativity and nothingness. Resources provide opportunities. Vision determines what we attempt, but leadership determines our direction, and execution determines what ultimately gets built. On that measure, President Irfaan Ali is building an increasingly compelling record. Linden must now position itself not merely to witness Guyana’s transformation, but to participate in it, contribute to it, own a meaningful part of it and above all, prosper from it. Yours respectfully, Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Five persons in my autobiography

I DON’T think I am going to write my autobiography. I have been around a long time and have seen sufficient things that will make Guyanese interested in what I have to say, but it doesn’t look as though I will do it. Libel will get in the way because there is so much I have to say about people, places and events. My daughter says she may write it, but she could only do it with my extensive involvement, and I don’t know if I will be willing. What I have done from time to time in these thousands of columns of mine is to offer autobiographical snippets. This article here is one of those snippets. I write about five persons whose contributions to my ontology made the evolution of my life possible. Without the input of these five persons I would never have made it in life. These people are responsible for me being alive and have substance as a human. There would never have been me without them. Of the five persons, I did not interact with one of them – President Desmond Hoyte. I never knew or saw him. But his decision on me was one of the turning points in my life. When I returned from working in Grenada, President Burnham re-issued his fatwa on me. I must not be employed in Guyana, so UG was prevented from implementing its offer to me. When Burnham died,

Professors Clive Thomas, Harold Lutchman and Rudy James approached President Hoyte to remove Burnham’s ban. He did so, and I ended

The late educator, entrepreneur, and Justice of the Peace, Shruti Kant

up spending 26 years as a lecturer at UG, in which I learned so much about the Guyanese people. In my last year at teaching at the Berbice Campus, my students composed a poem for me. It stands on the wall just as you enter my house. Here is an extract: Mr. Freddie Kissoon A character of his own Built in ideology Created by Philosophy A man with a smile Analyzing the world Without a care Always in a haste Next is Shruti Kant, the then principal of the then high school, Guyana Oriental College. I got to know Shruti through two friends

Tribute to Rovin

Dear Sir, I REMEMBER Rovin Deodat from school days at the Wales CM (later Wales Gov’t). He lived three houses away from me at Patentia and was two classes ahead of me at school. (I can’t help recalling that boyhood prank between him and Selall Baijnath when we would all stand to say morning prayers, and your friend would hold a pencil upright for you to sit on. Boy, there was a lot of blood!) Even in primary school, Rovvy (as all Wales knew him) had a penchant for and an objective to become a

of mine who were students. I said to Shruti that I don’t have food to eat or clothes to wear, much less to find money to pay for afternoon

radio personality. He would take a milk can and nail it onto a wooden tripod pretending it to be a microphone, and he would be practising speech, voice, grammar and pronunciation, emulating such then radio personalities as Ayube Hamid, Rafiq Khan, Pat Cameron, Olga Lopes-Seale and Carlton James. Rovin admired the linguistic talents of such men as Forbes Burnham, Shakoor Manraj, Lionel Luckhoo and Fred Wills. Those were the days when correct English was demanded if anyone was getting anywhere; even Forbes Burnham would call you and correct you publicly

Former Police Commissioner Laurie Leland Lewis

Former President Hugh Desmond Hoyte

Renowned Guyanese businessman and philanthropist Dr Yesu Persaud

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall

GCE lessons. Shruti allowed me to attend classes for free. I passed and entered UG. Without Shruti Kant, I would never have made it in life. Next is Laurie Lewis, then commissioner of police, then Chief of Intelligence. In 1976, I refused to do compulsory National Service at UG and was expelled. I knew Laurie from UG because the government had a branch of the Ministry of National Development at UG, and Laurie had an office there. At the time, he was seconded to the Guyana National Service. I never went to high school and none of my siblings did, so my parents were depressed that I was the only achiever in the family but

would not make it. One day, I encountered Laurie and he said “Go back to UG; you are a bright boy that [sic] will go far. Leave the National Service thing to me. Laurie had a National Service office on Smyth Street. He told me to do national service in his office. For three months I did nothing in Laurie’s office. I just reported and went home and slept many days and spent time courting my girlfriend, Janet Mohamed. After the three months was up, Laurie handed me a signed completion form to take to UG. I was allowed to complete my studies. What would have become of me without Laurie Lewis? Next is Yesu Persaud,

the father I never had. Yesu was extremely generous to me throughout my adult life and today I live in a proper house because of Yesu and Anil Nandlall. Each time, the Freddie Kissoon name got me into a hostile anti-Kissoon circumstance; Yesu was there for me. Finally, there Anil Nandlall. I could never thank Anil for all he has done for me, including the house I currently live in. There is one situation that Anil saved me from that preserved my psychological integrity and perhaps my well-being. I got caught in a situation because of the Freddie Kissoon name. It was impossible to extricate myself from this co-

lossal act of victimisation. The forces against me were simply too powerful. My concern was for my family. Anil stepped in and in magnanimous expression of the power of human conscience, he saved me. Sadly, I cannot describe this situation, because it is too sensitive and may cause more than some ripples in Guyana. These, then, are the five persons who are responsible for the preservation of my ontology. 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

if you did not use the right pronunciation. I recall hearing Forbes messing up someone on radio who said “Falkland” instead of pronouncing it like “Faukland.” During our times, Wales and the neighbouring villages were producing some of Guyana’s very talented writers - Frank and Nills Campbell, their cousin Anthony Calder, Rickey Singh, John and Kennard Ramphal, Frank Birbalsingh, Brenda DoHarris, Dolly Hassan, Krish Nand Prasad and a dozen others I cannot name offhand right now, and, of course, at the sacrifice of modesty, yours truly. While still a teenager teaching at Wales, Rovvy got a break reading the 6.00 am news at Radio Demerara. It was tough leaving home in

the darkest hour to go catch the 5.30 launch to cross the river, and then after reading the news he had to rush home to go to teach school. We all started UG in 1969 at the brand new sparkling Turkeyen Campus, and of course, he did English (I did Economics); later he went on to Canada and obtained his Masters and PhD in mass communication. Immediately upon returning home, Prime Minister Burnham appointed him his Adviser to the Government on Mass Communication. Rovvy stayed all his life in radio in Guyana. Rovin Deodat was Radio Demerara. His eldest brother, Bertram (Buddy) Deodat was also a great English and Literature teacher who taught

me for the College of Preceptors exam. I liked him so much that I featured him as one of the main mentors of the protagonist of my novel, THE SILVER LINING, which was awarded the Guyana Literature Prize in 1998 and is now being implemented as a Literature reading in all Guyana’s schools. Rovin trained his voice to be resonantly clear, and uniquely Guyanese, (like Forbes Burnham, and terribly unlike all those Jamaican-sounding accents we hear today). He carried several radio programmes that encouraged and trained a multitude of journalists and communications personalities in Guyana emphasising proper pronunciation, grammar and even etymology (the scientific and accurate

origin of words). He stayed in Guyana and in radio all his life so that Radio (Demerara) became at one time synonymous with Rovin Deodat. He was well loved by all Guyanese. I would strongly suggest that the UG English and Linguistics Department starts implementing a programme in speech training in his honour. Many places that have issues with dialects difficult to decipher, especially by their over-pronunciation of “r” and not pronouncing the “g” in words ending in “ing”, have done so. RIP Rovin would smile at such venture. May his soul rest in peace. Yours faithfully, Gokarran David Sukhdeo

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Enough is enough: Justice Cannot Crawl

THERE is a point at which the administration of justice begins to test the patience of the people it is supposed to serve. The extradition proceedings involving Azruddin Mohamed and Nazar Mohamed have reached that point. Guyana has watched this matter move from the Magistrates’ Court to the High Court, from the High Court to the Court of Appeal, and ultimately to the Caribbean Court of Justice(CCJ). The CCJ rejected the Mohameds’ appeal in July, clearing the way for the extradition proceedings to resume after a months-long interruption. The Court of Appeal subsequently ordered that the Magistrates’ Court proceedings continue, although it stayed the Chief Magistrate’s final determination pending the constitutional appeal. The legal rights of the Mohameds are not in dispute, but what is increasingly in dispute is how long this matter should be allowed to consume the judicial system. The prosecution should be defended because it has a legitimate responsibility to put its case before the court, challenge irrelevant questioning, object to procedural manoeuvres and resist attempts, whether deliberate or otherwise, to turn a committal hearing into an interminable proceeding. Prosecutor Glenn Ha-

noman has repeatedly complained about the pace of the case. On Thursday, he told the court that the United States’ extradition request was supported by “solid evidence” and objected to defence tactics that, in his view, had already consumed substantial court time. This is not an abuse of power because that is precisely what he is expected to do. If he believes that a procedural manoeuvre is wasting judicial time, he has every right to put that objection on the record. The alternative would be a prosecution sitting silently while proceedings drift indefinitely; and that cannot be what justice requires. Firstly, this matter has gone on long enough. The substantive hearing began in January and it is now September. The first prosecution witnesses have been subjected to lengthy cross-examination, legal challenges have consumed months, and the proceedings were suspended for approximately four months, while the Mohameds pursued their appeal before the CCJ. The public should not be expected to regard this as ordinary judicial business, since there is nothing ordinary about an extradition matter taking this long and generating this level of litigation and public controversy. No other extradition proceedings in Guyana’s recent

history has attracted anything remotely comparable in duration, litigation, public attention and political confrontation. That should concern everyone, not because due process itself loses public credibility when proceedings appear incapable of reaching an end. The prosecution has even described aspects of the defence cross-examination as a “masterclass in delay.” That is a serious allegation. It should not be dismissed, but should be examined against the record. For example, the defence reportedly filed more than 300 pages relating to a particular line of questioning involving Senior Superintendent Prem Narine, only to later indicate that it wanted to withdraw that question and pursue another route. Hanoman objected, arguing that substantial court time had already been consumed. Whatever one’s view of that particular dispute, the public is entitled to ask whether such proceedings are proportionate to the narrow legal question before a committal court. Similarly, the defence has repeatedly sought to raise issues surrounding alleged political motivation and the actions of the United States and Guyanese authorities. The defence is entitled to pursue relevant issues, but an extradition committal hearing is not a criminal trial determining guilt or

innocence on the American charges. The court’s task is to determine whether the legal requirements for extradition have been met. That distinction matters enormously. A defence cannot be permitted to transform every conceivable factual, political or procedural dispute into a reason to extend proceedings without limit. The court has a responsibility to distinguish legitimate advocacy from procedural excess. Secondly, the magistrate’s words matter. This is where the conduct and recent remarks of Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman deserve particularly serious scrutiny. When the prosecution complained about the duration of the matter, the magistrate reportedly warned against “fishing for that line” and objected to repeated references to how long the case had been running. Then, she said, “This court will control its own pace.” The magistrate also reportedly stated that the case would not be rushed and that unnecessary delay would not be tolerated. The principle that a magistrate controls the proceedings is obvious, but the language matters. So does the context. Judicial independence does not mean that a judicial officer should appear indifferent to legitimate concerns about delay or that a lower court operates outside the judicial hierarchy. The Court of Appeal and the CCJ have spoken. The superior courts have dealt with substantial legal challenges arising from this matter and have permitted the committal proceedings to continue. The Magistrates’ Court must therefore operate within that legal architecture. No one is suggesting that Chief Magistrate Latchman should surrender judicial independence to the prosecution, the defence, the government or public opinion, but judicial independence is not judicial sovereignty and a magistrate cannot be above scrutiny. A court cannot become so defensive about criticism that every question concerning efficiency is treated as an attack on the institution.

That is dangerous territory. Thirdly, who is really being served? There is another uncomfortable question. Would an ordinary Guyanese litigant with modest financial means be able to sustain the same level of prolonged litigation, voluminous submissions, multiple applications and extensive cross-examinations? Would an ordinary defendant be afforded unlimited judicial time? The answer must be yes if the system is truly equal. If the answer is no, then the judiciary must ask itself whether wealth, political prominence and the ability to deploy a large legal team can unintentionally create a different experience of justice. The Mohameds are entitled to every lawful protection available to them, but they are not entitled to an infinite process. And neither is anyone else. Finally, the public deserves an ending. This case has already consumed an extraordinary amount of public attention. The allegations before the court are serious. The implications of the extradition request are serious. The constitutional questions are serious. Additionally, this case is not a licence for endless proceedings. The prosecution should continue presenting its evidence and the defence should continue challenging it where legally justified. The magistrate should exercise much stronger case management. The public deserves nothing less. If questions are irrelevant, stop them. If submissions are repetitive, limit them. If applications are abusive, reject them and if witnesses have been adequately cross-examined, move on. It is not rushing but managing justice and there is a world of difference between the two. The public should also resist the temptation to prejudge the ultimate outcome. The extradition allegations have not been adjudicated by the Guyanese court as findings of guilt. The committal proceedings are concerned with whether the statutory requirements

for extradition have been satisfied, but precisely because the outcome remains undecided, the process must be allowed to reach that outcome. Guyana cannot remain permanently trapped in the preliminary stage. The country has other matters to confront such as crime, the economy and national development. The public should not still be discussing the same preliminary extradition hearing months from now because the proceedings cannot escape procedural quicksand. The court should therefore use every legitimate case-management tool available to bring the committal proceedings as close to conclusion as the outstanding appellate process permits. October should be treated as a target for substantial completion of the remaining Magistrates’ Court work, subject, of course, to the Court of Appeal’s constitutional proceedings and any binding legal orders that affect the final determination. Enough is enough. The prosecution should not be apologising for demanding progress and neither side should be permitted to turn the court into a theatre of perpetual litigation. After all, the magistrate should remember something equally important: that is, public confidence is not preserved by insisting that the court controls its own pace. It is preserved when citizens can see that the court is controlling the case fairly, firmly, consistently and efficiently. Judicial authority is strongest when it commands respect. Respect is strengthened, not weakened, when justice is seen to be both meticulous and timely. Guyana needs an answer and the public deserves its day when this case is finally over. Justice MUST NEVER CRAWL. 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.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

60 teachers, One Goal: Strengthening STEM Education in Guyana

WHEN we talk about Guyana’s development, the conversation often turns to roads, hospitals, buildings, businesses and the opportunities being created by the country’s growing economy. But there is another investment that may be just as important: investing in the people who will build, operate and improve all of this in the years ahead. That is why teachers matter. In August, ExxonMobil Guyana launched the first component of the Guyana STEM Initiative, Guyana STELLAR, a multi-year teacher STEM training programme at the Cyril Potter College of Education. The Guyana STELLAR, or STEM Teacher Training: Enhancing Learning, Leadership and Academic Rigour, Programme, is providing spe-

cialised science and mathematics training to 60 pre-service secondary school teachers. The two-year programme is designed to strengthen their subject knowledge, teaching practices and leadership skills, with the August intake being the first batch. The potential before us is immeasurable. These future teachers will eventually stand in front of classrooms filled with young Guyanese. They will teach students who may one day become engineers, scientists, doctors, technicians, programmers, researchers, entrepreneurs and other professionals. Over the course of their careers, these teachers could collectively influence thousands of students across Guyana, helping them think critically, solve problems and connect STEM subjects to everyday

life and future careers. For many of us, science and mathematics were simply subjects we had to pass in school. But STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics-- encourages students to ask questions and equips them with problem-solving skills that can last a lifetime. Those skills matter in almost every part of modern life, and as Guyana changes, they will matter even more, with a growing demand for technical and professional skills. As new industries develop and existing ones become more technologically advanced, Guyana will need people who can design, build, analyse, operate and innovate. The question is: where will those people come from? They start in classrooms. That is why preparing teachers is

so important. The Guyana STELLAR Programme will expose participants to handson STEM learning, laboratory experiences, inquiry-based instruction and classroom practice. The aim is to help teachers make learning more engaging, while encouraging students to think critically, solve problems and explore rather than simply memorise information. This is where Guyana’s economic development connects to its education system. Growth in oil and gas, infrastructure, technology, healthcare and other sectors is increasing the need for people with strong scientific, technical and problem-solving capabilities. Natural resources alone cannot determine Guyana’s future. The people who manage businesses, operate technology, design infrastruc-

ture, conduct research and provide specialised services will. That human capacity has to be developed. The Guyana STELLAR Programme is a component of ExxonMobil Guyana’s US$100 million, 10-year Guyana STEM Initiative. The broader initiative includes teacher development, two STEM centres and other programmes intended to strengthen STEM education and expand pathways into STEM learning and careers nationwide. This matters because building a STEM workforce does not happen overnight. It starts long before someone applies for a technical job. It starts when a child becomes curious about how a machine works, discovers that they enjoy solving a math problem, or realises that science can

help explain the world around them. Very often, there is a teacher behind that moment. So, when we look at 60 teachers entering a specialised STEM programme, we should not see only 60 people receiving training. We should see classrooms. We should see students, and we should see the possibility of a future Guyanese workforce with the skills to take the country even further. Investing in teachers today can help prepare and inspire the scientists, engineers, technicians and technology professionals Guyana will need tomorrow. 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.

ror of that day or the long, unresolved pursuit of justice against those accused of planning it. It must also reckon honestly with what followed, acknowledge how fear became public policy and suspicion-stained entire faith minority communities. Within hours after 9/11, Muslims became security subjects. Governments did not only pursue those who had committed terrorism; they increasingly built systems to identify people thought capable of becoming terrorists. The focus shifted from proven violence to suspicion about what a person might think, believe, say or become. Muslims were sorted into categories: “Moderate,” “radical,” “vulnerable”, or “at risk”. These categories created a climate in which faith, political conviction and ordinary religious practice were viewed through a nar-

row security lens. Imams, scholars and community leaders across the world lined up to condemn 9/11 in the strongest terms, but the needle barely moved. And now, a more hopeful politics, one rooted in the common concerns of cost of living, housing, healthcare, jobs, dignity and the future of working people, is succeeding where denunciations alone could not. In New York, Michigan and other states, this emerging political trend is making Muslim identity less a matter of suspicion and more a normal part of public life. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the city’s first Muslim mayor, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate in Michigan, are evidence that a Muslim name, heritage and faith need not be apologised for. Leaders like Mamdani and El-Sayed are

signs that another political future in America and the world is possible. It’s a lesson Guyanese should take seriously. The politics associated with Azruddin Mohamed may generate applause in some circles through the performance of an outsider’s defiance. But a public confrontation is not a plan for schools, hospitals, jobs, safer communities or national cohesion. Guyana cannot afford to confuse online popularity with the discipline, competence and moral seriousness required to lead a country through our current era of profound transformation. 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 the Shadow of 9/11 to a Politics of Belonging

I REMEMBER the morning of September 11, 2001, with the clarity of something that happened yesterday. As I walked into the lobby of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC)’s Toronto building, the images of smoke and fire on the large television screens stopped me in my tracks. They seemed less like news and more like something out of a movie. I got to my desk and removed a book I was reading from my knapsack. The few chapters of “The New Jackals: Ramzi Yousef, Osama bin Laden and the Future of Terrorism, written by the author and investigative journalist Simon Reeve, that I had left to read took on a new urgency. It didn’t take me long to realise that the February 26, 1993 bombing at the North Tower of World Trade Centre might have been a dress rehearsal of what was now unfolding in New York City that morning. I had obsessed for years with trying to understand what motivated Ramzi Ahmed Yousef and his associates to pack 1500 pounds of explosives into a Ryder

rental van and park it on the B-2 level of the parking garage beneath the World Trade Centre. That explosion was so massive it left six people dead and injured over 1,000. Ramzi’s intention was to have the North Tower collapse into the South resulting in death and mayhem for thousands. Two years after that explosion, a remarkable sequence of events culminated in Ramzi’s capture at the Su Casa guesthouse in Islamabad, Pakistan. En route by helicopter to be arraigned at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse in lower Manhattan on an 11-count indictment, senior FBI agent William Gavin lifted Ramzi’s blindfold and pointed to the twin towers. “Look down there,” he said, “they're still standing.” Ramzi calmly responded: “They wouldn't be if I had had enough money and explosives.” Ramzi is still serving two life sentences without the possibility of parole at the notorious federal Supermax prison in Colorado. He spends nearly 24 hours a day isolated in a high-security, 7-by-11-foot concrete cell.

On 9/11, his maternal uncle, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM), succeeded where his nephew had failed, and the Twin Towers came crashing down. KSM, too, was captured in Pakistan, but instead of facing a federal judge on the US mainland like his nephew, he and over 900 men of Middle Eastern origin were sent to the US prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Evidence of his torture ultimately led a judge to exclude his 2007 confession as involuntary, and two days ago, a US military judge set June 5, 2028, as the trial date for him and three co-defendants. I visited the U.S. detention facility at Guantánamo Bay four times, but only once did I attend proceedings involving KSM and others accused by the United States of planning the 9/11 attacks. I still struggle to describe the dread that engulfed me as KSM declared that he had been responsible for 9/11 and demanded that the military judge sentence him to death, a punishment he said he welcomed as martyrdom. The legacy of 9/11 cannot be reduced to the hor-

Spreading unity through music

JOEL Lynch has always had an interest in music, doing some drumming back when he started to follow his love. He is now an accomplished singer, making his own music and distributing it on all music platforms. He has been travelling back and forth between here and the US for over 20 years and started deejaying in the States, where he made quite a name for himself. Popularly known as Mineral, he explained that the call name evolved from people calling him Jewel. This father of three is supported by engineers and producers who help him refine his sound. He has a new single titled 'King,' due out next month and is currently doing

a nation-wide tour to promote himself and the new song. He has already appeared in Linden and Berbice and his next stop is Bartica, before returning to Georgetown for the final show. "I'm leaving Georgetown for last," he told me in a recent interview, because he's best known in the capital city. He plans to build a promotions platform, 'One Vibes Entertainment ', to further spread his sound of track dancehall. Conscious of the social tension at play in our society, Mineral wants to spread a message of unity and happiness through his music. Many in Georgetown know him through the spell of deejaying he did before transitioning to singing. "A deejay must learn to

'read the crowd '," he told me, pointing out that this requires a thorough knowledge of both popular music and what he termed "old school". "They have to be able to play songs that will keep the vibes going", and this sometimes even necessitates a change in the style of deejaying. After completing the show in Georgetown, Mineral will be heading to the Caribbean where he hopes to capture a wider audience. A gregarious Sagittarian, he has noticed, on the platform 'Spotify', that the majority of listeners to his music are West Indians . Before deciding to pursue a music career, Joel established a bus service, Class One Bus Service, carrying passengers to and from Suri-

name either by plane or bus and also bringing car parts. He proudly announced that his service is one of the best, making travellers as comfortable as possible. He candidly declared, " Without them we can't make money". He also 'dabbles' in real estate, selling and renting high-end and middle-income homes, acutely aware of the need to keep costs down. During our conversation, the music of the legendary Robert Nesta Marley, popularly known as Bob Marley, came up. Marley's songs were socially conscious, politically aware and even prophetic , when he sang, "Africans a liberate Zimbabwe", long before it actually happened. We also reflected on the powerful message in the

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song, War', which put to music Emperor Haile Selassie 's address to the League of Nations way back in 1936. It presents the world with a stern warning in biting rhetoric: "Until the philosophy that holds one race superior and another inferior is finally and permanently discredited and abandoned...everywhere

is war!' Good luck in your venture, Mineral. 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.

GCCI’s first Youth Entrepreneurship Conference inspires future generation of entrepreneurs INSPIRING young people across Guyana from ages 10 to 17, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) in partnership with the Ministries of Education and Tourism, Industry and Commerce, and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), hosted its inaugural Youth Entrepreneurship Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal. The Youth Entrepreneur Conference was announced a week ago by the GCCI, with the aim of inspiring Guyanese youths to become entrepreneurs as Guyana continues its rapid expansion across all sectors. Free of charge, the conference was held under the theme, ‘Igniting Guyana’s Next Generation of Entrepreneurs,’ and saw 265 students from 86 schools in attendance. The youths were engaged in interactive breakout sessions targetting different interests such as artificial intelligence and tech, marketing and public relations, agro-processing, and exploring the orange economy and tourism and hospitality sector. These areas were selected deliberately as Guyana contin-

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues (centre), flanked by President of the GCCI Kathy Smith and other key officials at the first Youth Entrepreneurship Conference by the GCCI ues to grow in each sector/ industry. Delivering the feature address, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues told attendees and participants that this conference is a result of public-private partnerships, between the government and the private sector. She related that it is important that the government creates the right environments for businesses to thrive, and ensuring that there is an equipped private sector that can take advan-

tage of those opportunities, form businesses, create new ideas and generate employment for the people of our nation. Mentioning that more than ever before we understand that entrepreneurship is a profession that should be taught in schools, and instilled from an early age as a career option along with the other traditional roles, Minister Rodrigues asserted that while working in the public sector is noble, entrepreneurship is exciting, and is equally challenging. “A lot of times we're

told we have to follow our passion, and following passion is good, but you also have to be able to problem solve, and every speaker who spoke before me spoke about problem-solving, and that's essentially what entrepreneurship is about. Identifying where there's a gap, identifying where there's a problem, and then coming up with a solution for that problem,” she remarked. The minister related that there are more initiatives such as this one that will help our young people to think beyond what they

deem is possible. According to Minister Rodrigues, with all of the revenue earned, the Government of Guyana is ensuring that it is making public-sector investments, investing in our people, and providing and creating environments for businesses to thrive. “That is why we're investing so much in training. We've achieved universal primary education. We're trying to achieve universal secondary education. We're equipping the schools with smart classrooms so that

you're given more exposure and leverage to learn in different ways,” she said, “Providing a modern health care service for you to live long, healthy lives and be productive. Connecting our country to the upgrading of infrastructure, and then ensuring that Guyana is a place where people want to stay and work and earn and invest to create a bright future for all of us here.” She told students that the Guyana being built by the government is one where there are endless opportunities, where every boy and girl feels they are safe and can achieve their dreams. Minister Rodrigues, in encouraging students, stated that in that room there are ideas that can propel Guyana, in terms of innovation and technology. “Exposure is what you need; you need the right equipment to be able to express yourself. You need safe spaces in schools where you're free from bullyism and free from pressure of different expectations, where you can be yourself, and where you're free to express yourselves and express your ideas and not be judged,” she said.

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Guyana signs MoU with Qatar to advance agricultural technology

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Hilton Todd, and Qatar’s Minister of Municipality, Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on agricultural technology GUYANA and Qatar are deepening bilateral co-operation in agriculture by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance agricultural technology and promote more sustainable and innovative farming practices. The agreement was signed on Wednesday by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Hilton Todd, and Qatar’s Minister of Municipality, His Excellency Abdullah bin Hamad Al Attiyah. The MoU establishes a framework for co-operation in agricultural technology,

emphasising the application of modern technologies to support sustainable agricultural development and strengthen the sector’s capacity in both countries. The agreement was concluded during President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s State Visit to Qatar from September 6 to 10, further advancing the high-level engagement between the two countries. During the visit, President Ali held official talks with His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, at the Amiri Diwan, where both

sides discussed opportunities to broaden bilateral cooperation and strengthen relations between Guyana and Qatar. Minister Todd accompanied President Ali throughout the state visit and participated in several engagements focused on expanding Guyana’s international partnerships. Among the engagements was a special celebration of Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary, hosted by Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Shadood, and the Guyana Embassy in Doha, under the theme, “Building Guyana’s Global Brand.”

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, alongside His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Hugh Hilton Todd, and members of the delegation The event showcased Guyana’s people, products, and growing opportunities for international trade. Additionally, the launch of the Guyanese UMAMI product line in the Qatari market further promoted the country’s commercial potential. During the official talks at the Amiri Diwan, His Highness Sheikh Tamim welcomed President Ali and the Guyanese delegation, expressing hope that the visit would further advance relations and broaden opportunities for co-operation between the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Hilton Todd, with President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali in Qatar Guyana and Qatar es- tions on August 23, 1996. tablished diplomatic rela- [DPI]

Parika Stelling diversion jetty to be completed Monday

TRUCK operators using the Parika–Supenaam route are expected to see relief by early next week, as construction of a temporary diversion jetty at the Parika Stelling nears completion. Minister of Public Works Madanlall Ramraj inspected the works on Friday. In a statement posted to his official social-media page, Minister Ramraj revealed that the project is on track to be finished by Monday. According to the ministry, the jetty, being built alongside the existing wharf, is designed to let trucks over 20 tonnes load safely onto roll-on/roll-off

An aerial view of ongoing works at the Parika Stelling

vessels. This workaround was made necessary after engineers found structural deficiencies in the original timber jetty and imposed a load restriction.

That restriction had squeezed commercial haulage along the route. According to the ministry’s statement, the diversion project goes back to a meeting Minister

Ramraj held with Region Two truck operators, where they raised concerns about the reduced tonnage limits and their effect on moving goods. Work underway also

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Mandalall Ramraj, inspected the works on Friday

includes upgrading the tarmac on the jetty’s southern side, to give heavier trucks room to stage and manoeuvre safely. Minister Ramraj was

joined on the inspection by Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Vickash Ramkissoon, and technical staff from the Ministry of Public Works. (DPI)

Sod turned for $1.5B Pouderoyen Market

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— new facility to accommodate 145 vendors, boost economic activities across Region Three

DEVELOPMENT in Region Three continues to gather pace, with the sod now turned for a new $1.5 billion market at Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, alongside vendors and community members, turned the sod for the new state-of-the-art facility during a ceremony on Saturday. The market, which will accommodate up to 145 vendors, is expected to provide a modern trading space while creating jobs and stimulating economic activities in Pouderoyen and surrounding communities. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Manickchand disclosed that 78 vendors are currently registered at the existing market. She said a 45-car parking area will be constructed first and used as a temporary vending area while the new market is being built, ensuring that vendors can continue earning during construction. The new Pouderoyen Market forms part of a wider programme to develop and upgrade markets across Region Three. Manickchand pointed to the recently developed Parika and Leonora markets, while noting that works are being

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand delivers remarks during Saturday’s sod-turning ceremony for the new $1.5 billion Pouderoyen Market (Sachin Persaud photos)

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, vendors and community members participate in the sod-turning ceremony for the new $1.5 billion Pouderoyen Market on Saturday undertaken at the Hydronie Market. The Tuschen Market is in the procurement process, while a sod-turning ceremony is also expected for the Zeelugt Market. “We have a market going up that will cost $1.5 billion. That is an investment in your region and your community. It will be done in four lots, by four different contractors, all supervised, both externally and internally,” she said.

The minister said the investment is expected to attract shoppers from surrounding communities and generate greater economic activities. “Once this is up and running, you are going to see people from right across the East Bank coming here to shop, and that is going to bring a different kind of economic activity to your villages, and to this village in particular,” she said. PART OF WIDER

DEVELOPMENT The project also ties into the Government’s Model Village Initiative, through which 23 communities have been identified in the initial phase, including four in Region Three. Manickchand recalled that President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali had visited communities across the region and outlined plans to improve roads, drainage, lighting, recreational spac-

es, schools, health facilities and commercial areas. “President Irfaan Ali came into Region Three himself and showed you, community by community, what our villages will look like, beginning with 23 model villages, four of them here in Region Three; villages where your roads work, where drainage is fixed and operational, where lights and safety are a priority, where recreational spaces, schools, and health centres actually function, and where you have shopping areas like this one, giving you a stronger sense of community and letting you meet your daily needs,” she said. “These are no accidents. These are projects designed to change your life and your children’s lives, so they have a life of plenty, and do not face the struggles you did. This community, and everyone who uses this market, will be part of the developing, thriving Guyana we

are building,” Manickchand added. The project will be executed in four lots by four contractors, with construction expected to begin in the coming weeks and an 18-month timeline set for completion. The works will be supervised internally and externally by a consultant. Manickchand said the contractors were selected through an open, competitive bidding process and will be expected to adhere to their contractual timelines. She also encouraged the contractors to employ persons from Pouderoyen and surrounding communities wherever possible. Once completed, the market is expected to provide improved facilities for vendors and shoppers, while supporting the government’s wider efforts to strengthen economic activities and community development across Region Three.

Moraikobai positioned for sustainable tourism, economic growth

MORAIKOBAI, Region Five, is being positioned as a sustainable tourism destination, with several initiatives being advanced to create jobs and strengthen the community’s economy. Minister within the Ministry of Housing, Vanessa

Benn, and British High Commissioner to Guyana, Joseph Fisher, on Saturday visited the community to assess several development projects. The delegation was welcomed by Toshao Derrick John and residents. Officials from the British High Com-

mission, the Office of Climate Change, the Ministry of Housing and the Ministry of Agriculture also participated in the visit. Among the initiatives highlighted were plans for the Estate of Harmony, an eco-lodge and projects aimed

at expanding Moraikobai’s agricultural potential. Benn reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to supporting projects that improve livelihoods, generate employment and establish Moraikobai as a thriving destination for sustainable tourism and eco-

nomic development. Meanwhile, Fisher praised the community’s Village of Harmony project, describing it as an emerging model for sustainable, community-led development. He noted that the initiative has the potential to serve as an

example for other communities across Guyana, the Caribbean and the wider world. The visit also highlighted the growing collaboration between Guyana and the United Kingdom in advancing sustainable development at the community level.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Attorney calls for Hana Mohamed to be barred from court over Facebook posts

— follows magistrate’s repeated warnings over commentary on family’s extradition case GUYANESE-CANADIAN attorney Selwyn Pieters has called for Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman to exclude Hana Mohamed from the courtroom over Facebook posts concerning her family’s ongoing extradition proceedings. Pieters made the call following another warning from the Chief Magistrate to Hana, the sister of Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed, over social-media commentary connected to the extradition case involving Mohamed and his father, businessman Nazar Mohamed. In a recent Facebook post, Pieters wrote: “Maybe it’s time for Chief Magistrate Judy Latchman to exclude Hana from her courtroom. This posting about the state witness, who already complained of being fearful, is not helpful.” His comment followed proceedings on September 4, during which Chief Magistrate Latchman again cautioned Hana against making social-media posts concerning matters connected to the extradition case. The issue arose during the testimony of Senior Superintendent of Police Prem Narine, Head of the Guyana Police Force’s Special Branch and a witness for the prosecution. Narine told the court that he considered a post made from the “Hana Khamelia” Facebook account to be threatening and defamatory. He also indicated that he had previously been the subject of posts from the account. The senior police officer told the court that he feared for his life and the safety of his family. The concerns prompted Chief Magistrate Latch-

Attorney-at-law Selwyn Pieters man to call Hana before the bench and question her about whether she was responsible for the post. “Where is Miss Hana?” the chief magistrate asked before instructing her to come forward. “Now, Miss Hana, you posted that on Facebook?” Latchman asked. Hana did not answer the question, explaining that her lawyer had instructed her to “stay silent.” The chief magistrate subsequently issued a direct warning against further posts. “Please kindly stop posting. If you are doing it, you need to stop it. Ok. I don’t want to see any more posts coming from Miss Hana,” Latchman said. She further told Hana that if she knew who was responsible for the posts, she should advise that person to stop and urged the individual responsible to apologise to Narine. Following the September 4 warning, Hana subsequently made another post criticising Narine’s testimony, describing him as “lying and treacherous” and mocking his claim that he feared for his life. COURT WARNS PARTIES Concerns about social-media commentary were also raised by prosecuting attorney Glenn Hanoman, who told the court that he believed the per-

Senior Superintendent of Police Chief Magistrate Prem Narine Judy Latchman activity surrounding the dition matter. his father, Nazar Mohamed, The Supreme Court who are wanted by the Unitproceedings. On March 13, Chief stressed the importance ed States to face an 11-count M a g i s t r a t e L a t c h m a n of accuracy in public federal indictment. warned Hana against post- statements concerning the The allegations include ing sensitive information judiciary, warning that wire fraud, mail fraud, monfrom the extradition hearing misinformation could un- ey laundering and related dermine public confidence offences arising from an alonline. Then, on April 16, the in the justice system. It leged scheme to evade taxes Supreme Court of Judica- also noted that Hana sub- and royalties on Guyanese ture cleared members of sequently corrected the gold exports. its judicial staff after Hana inaccurate statement. The extradition hearhad incorrectly linked Meanwhile, Narine’s ing is expected to continue them to the state’s legal evidence forms part of the on September 21 at the team in a social-media prosecution’s case against Georgetown Magistrates’ post concerning the extra- Azruddin Mohamed and Courts.

Hana Mohamed

son operating the “Hana Khamelia” account was “obsessed” with him. Hanoman described some of the posts as “vile” and accused the account operator of misconstruing evidence presented in court. “Hana Khamelia mentions me almost every day. I don’t want her husband to come after me,” Hanoman told the court. The defence, led by Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, challenged Narine’s characterisation of the Mohameds after the Special Branch head described them as “dangerous people” who were “capable of anything.” Another attorney representing the Mohameds, Siand Dhurjon, said anyone aggrieved by social-media posts could seek legal recourse through a lawsuit. Latchman nevertheless warned all parties against commenting on matters before the court on social media and urged the Mohameds’ attorneys to advise their family members against engaging in such conduct. She also cautioned the parties against allowing Facebook posts to distract from the extradition proceedings, stressing that the case must be determined on the evidence presented before the court. The September 4 warning was not the first time concerns had been raised over Hana’s social media

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Guyana studying Meta litigation, global models for social-media regulation - AG THE Guyana Government is examining recent court rulings in several United States (U.S.) states involving social media giant Meta, including cases in which the company was ordered to pay billions of dollars in compensation, as it works towards developing a legislative framework to regulate local social media. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, on Thursday said the government has obtained the relevant court rulings and court proceedings and is examining the legal principles arising from the cases to help inform Guyana's approach to social-media regulation. “We have the rulings from the court, and we are drawing from them the relevant legal principles. We even have the court proceedings that were filed, so we can understand the way that the issues were formulated and placed before the court,” Nandlall said. The review of the Meta

Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC

litigation forms part of a wider effort to develop what Nandlall described as a modern, comprehensive and transparent regulatory framework that reflects the realities of social media. He disclosed that a law firm in the United Kingdom (UK) has also been instructed to examine different social-media regulatory models implemented in various parts of the world. The UK firm is ex-

pected to identify relevant principles and concepts from those models and formulate a draft framework for consideration by the Guyanese authorities. The AG said, “We have a law firm in the United Kingdom who has been instructed to review different models that have been implemented in different parts of the world and extract relevant principles and relevant concepts and formulate a draft which we will look

at.” Guyana is also drawing on work being undertaken at the regional level. Nandlall said Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government had commissioned an initiative to explore a legislative and regulatory framework for social media across the region, and Guyana has received a draft produced by the consultant engaged for that exercise. However, Nandlall stressed that the proposed regulations must not come at the expense of citizens' constitutional rights. He said particular care must be taken to ensure that any measures introduced do not infringe the constitutional right to freedom of expression or other liberties guaranteed to Guyanese. “You don't want any measure that will, in any form or fashion, infringe the constitutional right of expression and other liberties guaranteed to the citizens of Guyana,” he said. According to him,

the challenge will be to strike a balance between addressing the harmful conduct or other problems that regulation is intended to prevent and protecting the freedoms and liberties of individuals. He added, “We have to be careful that we strike a balance that accords with the mischief that we are trying to prevent, as well as the freedoms and liberties of the individual.” The Attorney General did not disclose when the proposed legislation is expected to be completed or presented to the National Assembly, but said the review of international models and legal developments is continuing. The move comes amid growing international scrutiny of the responsibilities of social media companies and the potential impact of online platforms on users, especially children, as governments around the world seek to determine how best to address harmful online activities while preserving

freedom of expression. Nandlall said Guyana's objective is to establish a framework that is responsive to the modern realities of social media, while ensuring that individual rights and freedoms remain protected. Guyana is studying US litigation involving Meta, international regulatory models and a CARICOM framework as it develops new legislation governing social media, with the government's broader plans including proposals to restrict social-media access for children under 16 and establish a dedicated Child Online Protection Authority. The Child Online Protection Authority will be a dedicated body that would be responsible for monitoring online threats, conducting public awareness campaigns, overseeing compliance, supporting research and coordinating international co-operation on child-online safety issues.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Tourism a key pillar of Guyana’s diversification efforts

— Minister Rodrigues highlights hotel, airlift expansion ahead of SOTIC 2026 TOURISM has been identified as one of the main pillars of Guyana’s economic-diversification efforts, as the country continues to expand its accommodation, airlift and community-based tourism offerings. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, highlighted the sector’s growing importance during recent discussions with the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), pointing to the rapid expansion taking place across the industry. Rodrigues said Guyana has seen significant growth in air connectivity, alongside the commissioning of nine new international hotels.

“We’ve commissioned nine new international hotels in that time as well. So, we have all of the international brands. We have the Marriott, Sheraton, Best Western, just to name a few,” Rodrigues said. The minister also highlighted ongoing upgrades at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA), including the construction of a new arrival terminal. “We’re building a new arrival terminal there. That will be quite an experience. We want when people come to Guyana, from the time they touch down at our airport, that they can start to feel and smell and hear Guyana,” she said.

COMMUNITY TOURISM Rodrigues said the government continues to invest in community-based tourism to ensure that visitors have authentic experiences, while communities benefit directly from tourism spending. “The tourism product is owned and led by those villages. So, when you go there and you experience their culture, tradition, and their tourism product, you are contributing directly to the sustainability of those communities,” she said. “It’s not a big entrepreneur that you’re contributing to, you are directly making an injection in their longterm sustainability.”

GPF clarifies media report on records in Mohameds’ extradition case THE Guyana Police Force (GPF) wishes to clarify reports appearing in sections of the media concerning the destruction of documents referenced during testimony in the ongoing committal proceedings involving the Mohameds. During his testimony, Senior Superintendent Prem Narine produced and tendered the relevant official records required for the proceedings. These included his statement detailing the actions taken in relation to the matter, the relevant Station Diary record, the executed arrest warrants and other documents required for the proceedings. In response to questions from the defence concerning personal working notes used in preparing his statement, Senior Superintendent Narine testified that those notes had been disposed of in the official incinerator at Spe-

cial Branch in keeping with established procedures for the disposal of sensitive working documents that were no longer required. Senior Superintendent Narine further testified that the working notes contained no information of evidential value to the committal proceedings and that the relevant informa-

tion had already been incorporated into his statement. The Guyana Police Force therefore rejects any suggestion that documents of evidential value relating to the proceedings were destroyed. The relevant official records were preserved and tendered before the Court.

The minister also expressed Guyana’s excitement about hosting the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026, which is expected to bring regional and international tourism leaders to the country. “I hope that we have a huge turnout by the ministers and the commissioners and directors. We look forward to welcoming all of the regional and international industry leaders, and we plan to ensure that everybody who comes for SOTIC understands what Guyana has to offer,” Rodrigues said. She noted that visitors will be exposed to Guyana’s culture and tourism products during the five-day confer-

Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues ence. “There’ll be a rich display of our culture, a heavy presence from our tour operators and all of the leaders in the tourism and hospitality sector of Guyana, and we want to tell our story,” she said. Rodrigues also encouraged delegates to extend their stay before or after the conference to experience more of the country. “We hope that people extend their itineraries, maybe before or after the conference, because there’s so

much to see and experience in Guyana,” she said. SOTIC 2026 will bring together tourism policymakers, industry professionals and other stakeholders for discussions on the issues and opportunities shaping the future of the Caribbean’s tourism industry. The programme will feature the official State of the Tourism Industry presentation, along with sessions focusing on data and innovation, investment opportunities and cruise tourism.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Allrig-MBW venture targets 2027 for local facility, technical training

— joint venture plans investment in infrastructure, Guyanese workforce development ALLRIG Guyana Inc., a newly established joint venture between international technical services provider Allrig Group and Guyanese-owned MBW Inc., is targetting 2027 for the establishment of a local laydown yard and the commencement of technical training programmes for Guyanese workers. According to a press re-

lease, the investments form part of the company’s plans to establish a long-term presence in Guyana’s expanding energy sector, while building local technical capacity. The proposed facility is expected to strengthen Allrig Guyana’s ability to mobilise equipment and provide inspection, maintenance, repair, engineering and other specialist services to off-

shore and industrial clients. Allrig Guyana was formally introduced to the local market at a reception in Georgetown attended by representatives of the energy sector, business community, clients, partners and other stakeholders. The partnership combines Allrig’s international technical expertise, systems, intellectual property, spe-

Directors of Allrig Guyana Inc,. Abbigale Loncke, Omar Petty and Euan Kennedy, along with Operations Director Barry Newman cialist personnel and project-execution experience with MBW’s knowledge of the Guyanese market, local networks, infrastructure and experience supporting international companies operating here. Euan Kennedy, Vice President of Business Development and Strategy at Allrig and a Director of Allrig Guyana Inc., said the partnership was developed over approximately six months. According to Kennedy, workforce development will be central to the company’s local-content strategy. “Our roadmap and our strategy when it comes to local content is very much about development,” he said. Allrig intends to draw on its experience in Brazil, where the company’s founders established the IRM Services Academy in response to a shortage of qualified technical workers. Hundreds of technicians subsequently completed the programme and were prepared for employment in field operations. Allrig Guyana intends to adapt that model to the local market, combining international technical standards with structured training and opportunities for Guyanese workers to advance within the organisation. Abbigale Loncke, Director of Allrig Guyana Inc. and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MBW Inc., said the venture is intended

to ensure that growth in Guyana’s energy sector contributes to lasting national capacity. “We do not want Guyana simply to be the place where the work happens. We want Guyanese people to acquire the skills, experience and international exposure needed to perform that work and advance into increasingly technical and senior roles,” Loncke said. She said meaningful local content must extend beyond registration, procurement targets and short-term employment. “Local content must ultimately leave Guyana stronger. It should produce qualified people, competitive companies, sustainable employment and technical capabilities that remain within the country. That is the wider national opportunity we see in Allrig Guyana,” she said. The company plans to pursue opportunities in engineering, inspection, asset integrity, equipment supply, installation, commissioning, maintenance and repair, among other specialist technical services. It will target oil producers, drilling contractors, floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, engineering contractors, fabrication yards and other companies operating across Guyana’s energy and industrial sectors. Guyana represents Allrig’s 20th location globally.

The group operates across five continents and employs more than 500 people worldwide. According to the company, existing international customers operating in Guyana were among those that encouraged Allrig to establish a permanent presence here. Allrig Operations Director Barry Newman, who helped establish the company’s earlier operations in Brazil, also acknowledged MBW’s role in facilitating the establishment of the Guyana venture and navigating the local operating environment. The Board of Directors of Allrig Guyana Inc. comprises Abbigale Loncke, Omar Petty and Euan Kennedy. The company will now focus on developing its Guyanese operations, securing infrastructure, pursuing market opportunities and strengthening relationships with operators, contractors, government agencies and training institutions. “As Guyana’s energy sector grows, our people and businesses must grow with it,” Loncke said. “Through Allrig Guyana, we intend to build an operation that delivers international-quality services, while creating genuine opportunities for Guyanese workers, suppliers and technical professionals.”

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Health Minister urges Guyanese to embrace active lifestyles — says 30 minutes of daily exercise can help tackle chronic diseases

MINISTER of Health Dr Frank Anthony has urged Guyanese to embrace more active lifestyles, noting that regular exercise can play a major role in preventing or delaying the onset of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs). The minister made the appeal on Saturday as the

“As you know, in our country, we have a lot of people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other diseases that we can either prevent or we can delay their onset, and we believe strongly that if we get people to live a more active lifestyle, that we can change all of this,” he said. Anthony described the

what we want is that when we look at life expectancy, we see that women are at 72, men are at 67. So, we need to change that,” Anthony said. He also noted that attitudes towards exercise are changing, with more Guyanese embracing active lifestyles and participating in fitness activities regularly.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony

Ministry of Health hosted its annual Caribbean Wellness Day Walk at the Guyana Friendship Park-Main Square in Region Three. The event was held under the theme, “Our Mind. Our Body. Our Wellness— Empowering Caribbean Youth,” with the ministry partnering with Stride 592 for the third consecutive year. Delivering remarks, Anthony said Caribbean Wellness Day provides an important opportunity to focus attention on chronic diseases, including diabetes and hypertension.

walk as symbolic, but expressed hope that activities of this nature would encourage more Guyanese to make physical activities part of their daily lives. He stressed that exercising for at least half an hour each day could make a “big difference” to a person’s health. Pointing to Guyana’s development and the opportunities being created, the minister said maintaining good health is essential for citizens to enjoy the country’s progress. “Our life expectancy now is around 70, and

In 2007, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government adopted the landmark Declaration of Port of Spain to address the growing burden of NCDs across the region. The second Saturday in September was subsequently designated Caribbean Wellness Day. In Guyana, the Ministry of Health established its Disease Control/ Non-Communicable Diseases programme in 2021 to strengthen efforts to prevent, detect, control and treat NCDs and address mental health-relat-

ed issues. Across the Caribbean and Latin America, NCDs such as cardio-

vascular diseases, cancer and diabetes remain major health concerns, with risk factors includ-

ing physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco, stress and obesity.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

70% of roads completed in Best/Klein Pouderoyen NDC — Chairman says improved access driving business, investment activities across communities

D E V E L O P M E N T drainage, street lighting, ties emerging. across the Best/Klein security and public spaces, “It creates an awarePouderoyen Neighbour- among other areas. ness for development for hood Democratic CounBalram said improved all, and the awareness and cil (NDC) is becoming road access has already interest that comes with increasingly visible, with made a significant differ- it is very attractive to the new roads, schools and ence for residents, partic- region. In some parts of other infrastructure ularly those who previ- my NDC, buildings and improving access while ously depended on narrow factories are going up. encouraging greater pathways to access their Establishment of other business and investment homes. industries is going up,” activities. “It creates easy access Balram said. N D C C h a i r m a n and transportation,” he He noted that developUmesh Balram said continued investment in infrastructure and services is helping to reshape communities and create new opportunities for residents. Speaking on the sidelines of Saturday’s sod-turning ceremony for the new $1.5 billion Pouderoyen Market, Balram highlighted several infrastructural projects currently under way across the NDC. “We have a lot of projects going on in Best/Klein Pouderoyen Neighbourhood our NDC: road buildDemocratic Council (NDC) Chairman Umesh Balram (Sachin Persaud photo) ing, school building, we have the Vreed-enHoop Secondary School said. “Those that [sic] live ment is not limited to mapresently being built. We within the four-feet [sic] jor infrastructural projects, have roads building [sic] paths now have roads at with smaller interventions in Middle Street, and the back where they can also contributing to the some are going to start on travel, accessible, easy overall improvement of Swan Street, Lower End,” access. Everybody can get communities. Balram said. Balram said the NDC a car now and drive.” He added that road continues to work alongMORE ROADS works are also planned for According to Balram, side regional and national Best and Crane, with addi- significant progress has authorities to advance the tional projects expected to been made on the road broader development vicommence before the end network across the NDC, sion outlined by President, of the year. with only about 20 to 30 Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The ongoing works per cent remaining to be “It is a real vision. This come as the government completed. is a real part of most of pushes ahead with several “I would say only what the president has major projects across Re- about 20 to 30 per cent of said has happened in the gion Three, including the roads in my NDC are left region,” he said. new Pouderoyen Market. to be completed,” he said. With road works The development of “I think this is a won- continuing, education roads, commercial spac- derful project going on in infrastructure being es and other infrastruc- my NDC.” developed and a new ture also forms part of The chairman said the $1.5 billion market movthe wider transformation improved accessibility ing ahead, Balram said envisioned under the Gov- and infrastructure are also communities across the ernment’s Model Village contributing to increased NDC are experiencing Initiative. economic activity, with improved access and The initiative targets new businesses, buildings greater opportunities for improvements to roads, and manufacturing facili- residents and businesses.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday September 13, 2026) CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel:225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jeremiah Louis-5/10 (Patriots vs SLK Kings) (2) Matthew Forde-5/23 (SLK vs JAK, St. Lucia) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which is the first team to have played all 10 league games in CPL 2026? (2) Which two would be the last to do so? Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Bournemouth still winless after CSK deny Dhoni bid to buy a stake; draw against unbeaten Brentford but he owns some shares anyway

MARCO Rose’s wait for a first Premier League victory as Bournemouth head coach continues as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Brentford at Vitality Stadium. The Cherries came back from behind to lead 2-1 with goals from Justin Kluivert and Marcus Tavernier but Kevin Schade’s double for Brentford denied them three points on Saturday. After a bright start, Brentford’s momentum had begun to fade until Schade put them 1-0 up in the 34th minute. Adrien Truffert gave away possession cheaply in the final third and Yehor Yarmoliuk floated in a cross that was met with a thumping header from the German winger for his second goal in three matches. But their lead only lasted four minutes as Kluivert got on the end of a loose ball in the box and fired into the bottom corner with his left foot.

Rose’s side then went ahead seven minutes into the second half through Tavernier’s third goal of the season.

vic played a pass straight at Schade, who lobbed the goalkeeper to salvage a point with his second of the game.

Brentford remain unbeaten in the Premier League after four matches this season

Antonio Silva’s lofted pass into the area was delightfully controlled by Evanilson who teed up Tavernier for a powerful finish beyond Caoimhin Kelleher. But Brentford also only needed four minutes to restore parity as Bournemouth goalkeeper Djordje Petro-

Cherries’ substitute Ben Gannon-Doak’s deflected effort rattled the woodwork in the dying seconds, but a winner proved elusive for both sides. Bournemouth have three points from four matches while Keith Andrews’ Brentford have six(. BBC Sport).

Frustrated Liverpool held after Fulham pick up first point FULHAM and boss Alvaro Arbeloa claimed their first Premier League point of the season with a goalless draw at Liverpool. Less than 72 hours after the Reds beat Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, Andoni Iraola’s side lacked the intensity and urgency they showed on Wednesday night as they

Iraola made three Liverpool changes with Kostas Tsimikas, Ryan Gravenberch and Victor Munoz coming in for Milos Kerkez, Alexis Mac Allister and Rio Ngumoha. Arbeloa, who played 98 games for Liverpool between 2007 and 2009, made two changes with Austrian centre-back David Affengruber

Bradley Barcola made his first Premier League start for Liverpool.

failed to score for the first time this term. Arbeloa came into this game under pressure, with Fulham having lost each of their first three league games since he took charge in the summer. But his side put in a solid away performance and could have taken all three points if they were more ruthless in the final third.

making his debut in place of Joachim Andersen and Sander Berge replacing Cesar Palacios. Fulham should have taken the lead early on when Jeremy Jacquet had to clear Gonzalo Garcia’s effort off the line after a mix-up between keeper Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch that was entirely Liverpool’s own

doing. The visitors were better in the opening half but failed to make it count, with Josh King’s effort from inside the box saved by Alisson, before Antonee Robinson headed wide. Munoz’s header was kept out by a strong save from Bernd Leno at the other end, while a Bradley Barcola volley was deflected behind by Timothy Castagne for a corner. Kerkez came on at the break for Tsimikas, who struggled in the first half and by the hour mark Gravenberch and Munoz were also replaced by Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo as Iraola looked to shift the momentum of the game. Alexander Isak created an opening but his effort was saved comfortably by Leno, before the Fulham goalkeeper kept out a powerful strike from Dominik Szoboszlai. The hosts made another double change in the 72nd minute with Ngumoha and Jeremie Frimpong introduced, but it was to no avail. Isak headed wide from an injury-time corner and Fulham - who created late chances through King and Kevin - held on for a valuable point (BBC Sport)

DID Mahendra Singh Dhoni want to buy a stake in the Chennai Super Kings franchise? Reports have suggested so, with one particular report stating that the former India captain “had expressed an interest in buying a stake in CSK, but the management did not agree to the terms proposed by their former captain.” A top CSK official has denied discussing the issue with Dhoni. “MS has never asked us about it. We never discussed the matter. We also don’t have any information about him having discussed this with Mr N Srinivasan either,” said the senior CSK functionary. That said, Dhoni is not without shares in the franchise. Information from Chennai suggests that the former captain acquired some shares when they were available for purchase. Although CSK shares are not traded in the open market, as the company is unlisted, they can be acquired privately through off-market transactions. According to information available, Dhoni holds more than one lakh shares, but that is a very small part in the larger scheme of the shareholding pattern. More than 30 crore outstanding shares are held by the public, accounting for close to 40 per cent of the franchise’s total share capital. Dhoni’s one lakh-plus shares, therefore, represent only a fraction of the public shareholding. For the record, the Srinivasan family holds a controlling stake of more than 55 per cent in the franchise. Based on the current market valuation of an IPL franchise (an IPL team was last sold for over Rs 16,600 crore), his stake could be worth Rs 2.6-3 crore — again a relatively modest sum compared with his earnings over a 21-year playing career, across international cricket and the IPL, as well as his commercial endorsements. Dhoni is considered to be one of the richest cricketers in the world, with an estimated

MS Dhoni holds more than one lakh shares of CSK

net worth of around Rs 1,200 crore. Dhoni to decide on next coach Dhoni, meanwhile, continues to be an influential part of CSK, despite giving up the captaincy and not featuring in a single game last season. The CSK management is waiting for him to decide on the next course of action, particularly in the matters of finalising the new head coach. He is currently believed to be in the US and is expected to return around September 22. The CSK management is expected to meet around that time to decide on the next coach and subsequently discuss transfers and trades. CSK officials continue to maintain that they are yet to identify a coach, but sources say they have zeroed in on an overseas candidate who is also believed to be in talks with another franchise. The cloud is expected to clear once Dhoni returns and sits with the top CSK management officials. (Cricbuzz)

Arsenal’s brilliance at both ends helps overcome Sunderland

ARSENAL maintained their perfect start to the season after two moments of brilliance from David Raya and Bruno Guimaraes set them on course for victory at Sunderland. On 55 minutes, Gunners defender Ezri Konsa was penalised for pulling down Dan Ballard in the box, but goalkeeper Raya read Enzo le Fee’s penalty with a superb save low to his left. And its true significance was not revealed until 121 seconds later, when midfielder Guimaraes - brought on as a half-time substitute - brilliantly curled home the opener off the bar from 20 yards out. It was the summer sign-

ing’s first Arsenal goal and had added meaning as it came against Sunderland the arch-rivals of his former club Newcastle United. The win was sealed in the final seconds as Bukayo Saka slotted home a penalty after being fouled by Reinildo Mandava, who was given a second yellow card and sent off. By finding a way to succeed once again, Mikel Arteta’s men extended their 100% start to the season with six wins from six in all competitions, including four in the Premier League to put them top of the table. Despite dominating possession with 66% of the ball in the first half, Arsenal had,

until that point, their chances severely limited by Regis le Bris’ disciplined Sunderland side. Their best chances before the break included a Kai Havertz effort that flew over from six yards, before the German striker had a volley tipped over by home keeper Robin Roefs soon after. Arsenal came close to a second before the late penalty when Ballard brilliantly cleared off the line to deny Havertz, while Jurrien Timber found the net but his header was ruled offside. Sunderland have four points from as many league games to leave them 14th in the standings. (BBC Sport)

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

11-year-old Latif benefits American Shelton to face from ‘Project Cricket Gear’ Zverev in US Open final

RANDY Latif, an 11-yearold spinner of first form Annandale Secondary School, is the latest to benefit from Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana, the joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA. The left-hander recently participated the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Inter-association Under-13 cricket tournament, which was used to select the Demerara team that participated in the recently concluded Inter-county championship, which Berbice won. He was the recipient of one pair of DSC cricket shoes. At a simple presentation held recently, young Latif, in the presence of national youth coach, Latchman Yadram, expressed gratitude for the timely assistance. Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $843,146 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, 36 pairs of cricket shoes, 40 pairs of batting pads, 49 cricket bats, 48 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 15

Randy Latif receives cricket shoes from coach Latchman Yadram

gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fiber glass bat, one pair of floppy hat, 16 boxes and four of white cricket balls, 13 boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone, one batting inners and 28 footballs. To date, 108 players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, 11 gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 43

bats, five boxes, six helmets, 39 pairs of cricket shoes, 23 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, one bat grip, 42 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads and four pairs of wicket-keeping gloves. Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.

Real Madrid move level on points with Barcelona

REAL Madrid moved level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga after thrashing city rivals Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu. The home side bounced back from their shock defeat by Real Betis eight days earlier by racing into a threegoal lead inside the opening 35 minutes, making it four wins from their opening five matches of the new campaign.Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 14th minute when he sent Rayo goalkeeper Emil Audero the wrong way from the penalty spot after Alvaro Carreras was fouled inside the area. The Frenchman, who earlier in the week said this could be the year he finally wins the Ballon d’Or,, external returned the favour to Carreras three minutes later by setting up the left-back to slam home and double his side’s advantage.

Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe has scored 34 goals in 36 home games in La Liga

England international Jude Bellingham added Real’s third 10 minutes before half-time, side-footing Vinicius Jr’s cut-back into the net at the end of a sweeping move. Mbappe was denied a second goal of the night, and a sixth of the La Liga campaign, in first-half stoppage time when he rattled the woodwork with a fierce effort.

Although the visitors pulled one back early in the second half through Sergio Camello, it was Real who had the final say in stoppage when Mbappe fired low and hard into the far corner to ensure Real made it 14 wins from their last 15 home meetings with Vallecano. Barcelona can re-establish a three-point lead over Real if they beat Levante today.(15:15 BST).

BEN Shelton powered his way into the US Open final with an impressive four-set win over Frances Tiafoe in an epic all-American semi-final. Both players were bidding to reach their first Grand Slam final and put on a show for a raucous crowd on Arthur Ashe Stadium, with eighth seed Shelton coming from a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-3 7-5. Neither American was overawed by the occasion and they lived up to their reputations as dazzling shot-makers but, after three hours and 17 minutes, it was Shelton who won through. The 23-year-old will face Alexander Zverev in today’s showpiece after the top seed beat unseeded Russian Karen Khachanov 6-3 7-6 (9-7) 7-6 (8-6) to reach a third Grand Slam final in a row and continue his bid for a second major of the year. Shelton becomes the first black American male player to reach the US Open singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972, and the first black male player to reach a Grand Slam singles final since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was beaten in the 2008 Australian Open final. He is aiming to become the first American male player to lift the US Open singles

Ben Shelton will appear in his first Grand Slam singles final today

title since Andy Roddick in 2003. Asked about the weight of history on his shoulders before Sunday’s showpiece, Shelton said: “It’s a lot of emotion. My mum and dad sacrificed a lot for me to be in this position today. “My dad lost his mum earlier this year. She’s the reason he was able to play tennis. “Without her there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. This one is for her.” Shelton, who is close friends with Tiafoe off the court, said it was extra special to face him at Flushing Meadows. “Frances is like a big brother to me, every time that we get to take to this court together and play each other is super special,” said Shelton, who also paid tribute to those

affected by the 9/11 attacks 25 years ago in his on-court interview. “This is both of our favourite tournament, our favourite court in the world and to be able to light it up in front of you guys [the crowd] is the best feeling there is.” After losing his previous two major semi-finals, Shelton can now look forward to his maiden final and will aim to end a 23-year wait for an American winner in the men’s singles of a Grand Slam. Since Roddick’s triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2003 - 11 months after Shelton was born - an American man has only reached a Grand Slam final on six previous occasions, most recently Taylor Fritz two years ago in New York. To end the drought and emulate Roddick will require another first of Shelton as he has lost all five previous meetings with Zverev, but with the confidence gained from this run and the backing of a partisan crowd, there is a chance to make history. “I’m going to need you guys on Sunday to bring the energy,” Shelton added. “I’m going to leave it all on the court and I hope you guys come and back me. Let’s do this for the USA.”(BBC Sport)

Jamaica cop silver in mixed relay

BUDAPEST, Hungary, (CMC) – Jamaica placed second in the final of the mixed 4x100m relay on the opening day of the inaugural Ultimate Championships here on Friday. The quartet of Ackeem Blake, Tina Clayton, Kadrian Goldson and Jonielle Smith clocked 39.72 seconds to finish just behind the USA’s team of Ronnie Baker, Anavia Battle, Courtney Lindsey and Kayla White in a time of 39.64 seconds at the National Athletics Center. Great Britain was third in 40.26 seconds. There were no other medals for the Caribbean with several athletes missing out on podium finishes. In the women’s 100-metre hurdles final, Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, finishing fourth in 12.40 seconds, just behind third-placed Nadine Visser

Jamaica (right) finished second in the mixed 4×100 relay in the Ultimate Championships

of the Netherlands (12.39 seconds). Jamaica’s Megan Simmonds was fifth in a season’s best time of 12.42 seconds. Meanwhile in the women’s high jump, Lamara Distin of Jamaica was sixth with her effort measured at 1.86 metres. Trinidad and Tobago quarter miler Jereem Rich-

ards qualified for the final of the men’s 400 metres after placing fourth in Heat 1 in 44.44 seconds, while Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic won the first heat in the women’s equivalent in 49.58 seconds to advance along with Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce, who was third in 49.72 seconds.

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

England survive scare to sweep Pakistan Test series ENGLAND survived an almighty scare to eventually win the third Test against Pakistan by eight wickets and complete a 3-0 clean sweep. The home side were already facing an unexpected chase of 130 on the fourth day after being frazzled by the hitting of Pakistan debutant Razaullah on Friday evening. And the prospect of one of Test cricket’s greatest turnarounds was raised when England were reduced to 2-2 in the opening over. Ben Duckett edged Muhammad Abbas’ first ball behind and Emilio Gay was palpably leg before. England could have been 35-3 after Joe Root rashly dragged on to his own stumps off Mohammad Ali. Ali was found to have overstepped and Root was reprieved on 23. While Root needed fortune, Jordan Cox once again impressed with a composed 59, a further claim for the Essex man to be in the XI for

the first Test against South Africa in December. Cox and Root shared an unbroken stand of 128, Root unbeaten on 62 when victory was sealed just before lunch. For Root, this completes a successful return to the captaincy he resumed when Ben Stokes retired in June, while England end one of their most turbulent summers in history in a positive fashion. They switch formats to begin a white-ball series against Sri Lanka in Southampton on Tuesday, with Brendon McCullum back in charge and Kevin Pietersen as part of the coaching staff. (Third Rothesay Test, Edgbaston (day four of five) Pakistan 133 (Tongue 4-42) & 449 (Masood 95, Razaullah 81, Babar 76, Awais 59) England 453 (Brook 75, Smith 69, Lawrence 65, Gay 60, Robinson 50; Razaullah 4-148) & 1302 (Root 62*, Cox 59*) England won by eight wickets, won series 3-0) Such was England’s se-

rene progress up to the third evening of the final Test of the series, it was easy to forget that they were without both a captain and a coach less than two months ago. For all the good things they have done against Pakistan, there was the feeling their credentials had not been challenged by the dismal performances of the tourists. When Pakistan were 0-2 in their second innings, England could have won in two days. From then on, the visitors finally found some fight and England were asked to respond. The way Root’s side coped with the pressure was not entirely convincing. Their tactics in the field collapsed in the face of Razaullah’s assault on Friday, then their batting was wobbling on Saturday morning. An extra hundred runs on the target might have been difficult. How Pakistan will rue being dismissed for 133 on the first day. It is to England’s credit that they weathered the storm. Even

England’s Joe Root (centre) hugs Pakistan’s Razaullah at the end of the third Test (Photo: AFP)

if it took Pakistan two and a half matches to show up, England have still won three consecutive Tests after a previous run of two wins in 10. Greater challenges await on the winter trips to South Africa, Bangladesh and Australia. New head coach Stephen Fleming arrives in the UK in the coming days with plenty in his in-tray. England left to ponder over openers One area of concern for Fleming will be England’s openers, albeit if the modest returns of Duckett and Gay have come in a summer when ball has been on top of bat. In a dramatic start to the

day, Abbas’ metronomic accuracy not only sent nerves through the England dressing room, but also further exposed a growing issue at the top of the order. Duckett edged a beauty for a golden duck. Although he has registered England’s only century of the summer, Duckett has not reached 20 in five innings against Pakistan and his average since the beginning of the Ashes is 23. Gay has three half-centuries in his first summer as a Test cricketer, though being pinned on the shin by Abbas left his average below 25. Gay swished his bat in the direction of the stumps in frustration and wasted a

review, his immediate future in the team vulnerable. At 2-2, the pressure on England was as high as the tension among the modest Edgbaston crowd. That Cox was able to navigate the hosts to safety has massively boosted his chances of remaining when Jacob Bethell returns from injury, possibly at the expense of Gay. Cox was more secure than his senior partner, Root. Not only did the captain survive the Ali no-ball, he also edged between the static slips off a furious Abbas when he had 34. The miss sucked the hope from Pakistan and England were able to accelerate towards their target.

Hesson open to Pakistan job after England approach No northern Ashes Test a

MIKE Hesson is interested in coaching Pakistan’s Test side on a permanent basis - and says he was approached about the England job earlier this year. The 51-year-old New Zealander was drafted in by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on an interim basis to replace Sarfaraz Ahmed for third Test at Edgbaston. Sarfaraz was relieved of his duties after Pakistan suffered heavy defeats by England at Headingley and Lord’s. Hesson, who was appointed Pakistan’s limited-overs coach in May 2025, oversaw an eight-wicket defeat by England in Birmingham but there were some encouraging signs. “I’ll be open to it, for sure. I love Test cricket,” Hesson said. “I think there’s enough talent around the system in Pakistan that if we can provide some good direction, we can make some strides forward. “It’s certainly not going to happen in a game or two, but I think there is some skill there I’d certainly be consid-

Mike Hesson was appointed Pakistan’s limited-overs coach in May 2025

ering looking after Hesson previously coached New Zealand between 2012 and 2018 and said he was approached by the England and Wales Cricket Board over replacing Brendon McCullum. England sacked McCullum as their Test coach in July and subsequently named another Kiwi in Stephen Fleming as his successor. “I was contacted by my

agent to say there had been an approach to have a discussion around my availability, as I’m sure many people were,” Hesson added. “I made it pretty clear I had committed to Pakistan. “Most of the positions I’ve been in, I’ve been in for five or six years. I see it through, then you have a break, then you refresh and try for something else.” Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja said Pakistan’s players “put up a fight” in the eight-wicket defeat at Edgbaston but the red-ball side need to receive more focus if they are to have any success. “It’s time to revisit Test match cricket,” Ramiz told BBC Test Match Special. “It’s back to the drawing board because in the subcontinent not a lot of emphasis is put on Test match cricket. “Obviously there was mayhem around the team and that may have hurt the dressing room environment. But Pakistan were also a little underdone, undercooked with preparation.”

result of 2023 switch

THE absence of a men’s Ashes Test in the north of England in 2027 is a direct result of the decision to switch a match from Hampshire to Headingley for Australia’s last visit in 2023. Next year, Hampshire’s home in Southampton will host an Ashes Test for the first time, with both Old Trafford in Manchester and Headingley in Leeds missing out. As first reported by the Guardian, Southampton was due to host the Australians in 2023, only for the match to be changed. Hampshire were awarded more than £1m in compensation by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), then subsequently given an Ashes Test in 2027. Neither Hampshire nor the ECB have commented. The Ashes venues for 2023 were announced in 2018, when the ECB was chaired by Colin Graves. Graves, the current Yorkshire chair, held the same position at Headingley prior to his time with the ECB. He told the Guardian he

The Utilita Bowl will become the 10th UK ground to host a men’s Ashes Test in 2027

was not involved in the allocation of matches. “I always left the room when their recommendations were discussed by the board. I was not involved,” he said. The method for allocating matches in the 2023 series was under the ECB’s old, ‘competitive tender’ process, where venues essentially made financial bids to host fixtures. The governing body has since moved to a rotation system, which it believes is fairer. The rotation system was backed by the 18 firstclass counties and Marylebone Cricket Club, and was

used to allocate major matches up to 2031. From 2031, the ECB plans to host at least one men’s Ashes Test in the north of England, with Southampton receiving a men’s Test in every other Ashes series. Both Headingley and Old Trafford have hosted a men’s Test in the two previous home Ashes series. Next year, the most northerly men’s Ashes Test will take place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, while Headingley will host the sole women’s Ashes Test. (BBC Sport).

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

Tahir: ‘My son has been pushing me’

AT 47, Imran Tahir became the oldest player to take a five-wicket haul in T20 cricket, at Providence on September 9. Still rocking it in his late forties as Guyana Amazon Warriors‘ captain and premier spinner in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Tahir has said that his son motivates him to continue playing. Tahir’s 4-0-17-5 are also his best T20 figures, which came in his 461st game after he had made his day in the shortest format way back in 2006, when he was playing domestic cricket in Pakistan. “For me, my role is obviously to contain [the opposition] in the middle,” Tahir said after leading Amazon Warriors to victory against St Lucia Kings. “I’m an attacking bowler. If the wickets come, I don’t mind. I think my son is the main guy who has been pushing me. He keeps telling me: ‘Daddy, one more year…one more year and then you need to play with me’. So, it’s a kind of motivation, I want to give it to him and all the youngsters who are watching me around the world. “I put a lot of hard work into it and it’s nice to see how

it comes out the way you want it. It’s not the personal achievement I look for. We work hard to get the personal achievement but I’m very lucky I delivered today.” Speaking to Cricinfo during CPL 2025, Tahir said that he dedicates his “Siuuu” and Victor Gyökeres’ celebrations to his son. “I have to because my son [who is travelling with Tahir], he asked me to do it (laughs). The celebrations are purely for him,” Tahir had said in 2025. “He just loves football. I actually don’t know the guy [Gyökeres’] who does this celebration, but I know he’s a footballer. But look, it’s nice, I want to put a smile on my son’s face and hopefully a smile on the faces of other people as well, if they like it.” After Amazon Warriors had suffered their first defeat of the CPL season, against Antigua & Barbuda Falcons on September 8, they bounced back against Kings the very next day, thanks to Tahir’s bag of tricks. After turning a few legbreaks away from the right-handed Kamil Pooran and drawing a sliced hit from him, Tahir let rip a sharp-turning wrong’un to

Imran Tahir shares a moment with his son after leading Guyana Amazon Warriors to the Global Super League title in 2025 (Photo: News Room/Kirth Cadogan/July 18, 2025)

trap Kamil lbw for 43. He celebrated the wicket with typical gusto, setting off on a celebratory stint and bringing out the “Siuuu” celebration and blowing kisses to his beloved Guyana crowd. Tahir set up all-rounder Matthew Forde’s wicket in similar fashion. Forde was so clueless that he offered no shot, expecting the ball to turn away from him. But

instead it zipped in to crash into the top of off stump. “It was a little bit turning for me, so I had to show a bit of my leggings [also]. Two or three spun away,” Tahir said of his gameplan. “I think that plays in the batters’ head and I’ve got my straighter one, which I can bowl and I can keep tricking batsmen – they wait for my straighter one and googly…

And even when Qiana Joseph claimed the prized scalp of Lanning, caught at point attempting to go over the top, the Empress Women were still in control at 118 for three. Chinelle Henry needlessly gave her wicket away by hitting Cherry-Ann Fraser straight down the throat of long on to set up a tense finish with 10 runs required from nine balls. Aaliyah Alleyne could only muster a run off the last ball of the over, bringing the equation down to nine runs off the last over. Joseph then held her nerve to concede just four singles off the first five deliveries, with captain Stafanie Taylor surprisingly taking a single off the penultimate ball with six runs needed for victory. Needing a six to win or a four to force a Super Over, Alleyne’s straight hit down the ground was stopped by the long on fielder, restricting them to a single.

It sparked wild celebrations from the Tridents’ camp, as it gave them their first win of the tournament in their second match. Taylor had earlier given her side a good chance of pulling off a second victory in three games, with her four-wicket haul limiting the Tridents to their eventual total. The Empress Women would have been disappointed they let the home side score as many runs as they did, as they were struggling at 56 for four in the 10th over. .But Player-of-the-Match Suzie Bates scored an unbeaten 39 off 28 balls, and together with Maddy Green, who also scored 39, shared a 78-run partnership for the fifth wicket that helped to breathe life back into the Tridents’ innings. Taylor, who snared 4-29, ensured there would be no late flourish however, dismissing Green, Pooja Vastrakar and Cherry-Ann Fraser in quick succession.

Tridents Women stay alive in playoff hunt with unbelievable win over Empress Women

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC) – Three-time defending Women’s Caribbean Premier League champions Barbados Tridents Women pulled of a spectacular three-run win over the Jamaica Empress Women on Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive. In chase of the Tridents’ total of 140 for seven, the Empress Women looked to be cruising to victory at Kensington Oval with openers Meg Lanning and Amy Hunter at the crease during a 104-run stand in 13 overs. However, in a stunning turn of events, the visitors lost momentum once the partnership was broken to limp to 137 for four at the end of their 20 overs. Lanning, who scored 57 off 46 balls with eight boundaries, and Hunter, who made 47 from 45 balls, put the Empress Women in the driver’s seat in their run chase. Spinner Afy Fletcher got the breakthrough for the Tri-

Joseph held her nerve to concede just five runs from the last over of the match.

dents by dismissing Hunter and Suzie Bates accounted for the wicket of Rashada Williams for just four to make the score 115 for two in the 16th over

and the way the ball comes out of my hand was really good. “My lines and lengths were very good. It pitched on line and obviously turned very sharply. In Providence, you get that, but in the previous two games, I wasn’t getting that kind of bite, but the credit goes to the length I bowled, I think.” After Tahir’s five-for limited Kings to 119, Quentin Sampson powered Amazon Warriors’ chase with an unbeaten 37 off 11 balls at a strike rate of 336.36. Only Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford and Darren Bravo have struck at a higher rate for a minimum of ten balls faced in a CPL innings. “We’ve got four guys who can come anytime and they just need ten balls to change the game,” Tahir said. “Sammo was one of them tonight and the way he hit the ball was incredible to watch. We know that the guys have power – Sheppy [Romario Shepherd], [Dwaine] Pretorius, and Shamar [Joseph] can hit some sixes. The middle part is really solid.”

Amazon Warriors, who have already qualified for the playoffs, will meet Trinbago Knight Riders, who are just alive in the race for the knockouts, in their penultimate group-stage game on September 11. The CPL’s fiercest rivalry tends to produce some spicy contests. For instance, when Amazon Warriors played TKR at Providence in the CPL 2025 final, Pollard was booed to which he reacted strongly at the time. “The [Guyana] fans have always been there and really grateful to them,” Tahir said. “They come every year in big numbers and we highly appreciate their support because when we play here, it’s different than anywhere else. That kind of motivates me as well. Look, Trinidad is a very, very good team and it’s a good challenge again. We’re looking at one game at a time and we need to come up with our plans. They need to come with their plans and we can’t wait for the game.” (Cricinfo)

Windward Islands Volcanoes to relocate from St Vincent

The Windward Islands Volcanoes will now be based at the Daren Sammy cricket ground

GROS ISLET, Saint Lucia, (CMC) – The Windward Islands Volcanoes franchise has made the move to the Daren Sammy cricket ground in Saint Lucia, where it will be based for the next three years. The Volcanoes were previously headquartered in Arnos Vale, St Vincent since 2023. The franchise has also been based in Dominica and Grenada. The move to Saint Lucia is set to happen on October 1, with a memorandum of understanding between Saint Lucia’s Department of Youth Development and Sports and the Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) set to be signed on Friday.

Interestingly, last month the franchise announced a head coaching vacancy after Kenroy Peters stepped down. Having the Volcanoes based in Saint Lucia is expected to provide a big boost for cricket on the island, with players such as Ackeem Auguste, Keon Gaston, Kimani Melius, Noelle Leo and Shadrack Descarte set to benefit from top-level training at home. Additionally, the presence of a full-time professional franchise will create a clear development path, providing young players and local coaches with the opportunity to train with top regional players and improve their skills.

Rybakina wins US Open to inflict further pain on Sabalenka

ELENA Rybakina demonstrated why she is the best women’s player in the world by beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open title. Kazakhstan’s Rybakina already knew she would be the new world number one after Saturday’s final regardless of the result, and she celebrated with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 victory over the player she will replace. Ry b a k i n a w a s t h e more composed of the two throughout as she claimed the third Grand Slam title of her career, having triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year. Sabalenka hoped to soften the blow of losing the top ranking by winning a third consecutive US Open title but looked fraught in a tense performance. Rybakina and Sabalenka have developed a strong rivalry built not only on their outstanding talent but their contrasting personalities. And Rybakina’s ice-cool composure - the direct opposite of the Belarusian’s combustible nature - was a

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, September 13, 2026

hammer down an ace and underline her status as the best player in the world

Elena Rybakina has now won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open

key difference as she took control at Flushing Meadows. Rybakina stayed calm in an opening set where her first serve let her down and, despite her biggest weapon not firing on all cylinders, was able to execute a devastating returning game which left Sabalenka frustrated. Sabalenka’s groundstrokes

improved as Rybakina’s level dropped slightly in a tighter second set, taking her third opportunity to force a decider when she swarmed over Rybakina’s second serve in the 12th game. But the loose shots from Sabalenka reappeared in the third set - as did the negativity.

Rybakina’s deep returning pinned Sabalenka to the baseline as she broke for a 2-1 lead, which allowed the incoming world number one to grow in stature. There was a sign of nerves when Rybakina produced a double fault on her first championship point, but she reset admirably to

Rybakina claims New York win few predicted Rybakina rarely shows emotion on the court but there was a brief flash of a smile as she clinched her second major victory of an outstanding 2026 season. That illustrated the sense of satisfaction she felt after winning a title few had predicted - not because of her game but her history in New York. With her penetrating serve and thunderous groundstrokes, Rybakina has a brand of first-strike tennis that can take the racquet out of anyone’s hands. Therefore it has been a surprise she has not enjoyed greater success on the Flushing Meadows hard courts, perhaps a result of her personality not being particularly suited to the brash nature of New York. “I was coming here for the last 10 years and it was never successful. I’m falling in love with New York more and more,” Rybakina, 27, said. What makes the second seed’s victory even more

remarkable is that she was unsure if she would be fit enough to even play. Rybakina was unable to walk for several days after injuring her ankle in the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals, putting her chances of competing here in serious jeopardy. Not only was Rybakina able to play, but she cruised through her opening four matches thanks to a huge service game that rarely allowed opponents to get into points. Rybakina’s next two wins over China’s Zheng Qinwen and home favourite Coco Gauff required more work after losing the first sets, proving she had the durability to come through tough battles. Against Sabalenka, she showed both facets of her game, bullying her from the baseline and digging in when she had to to leave her a French Open title away from the career Grand Slam. “Some magic is happening. I was unlucky with injury and just going day by day,” Rybakina told Sky Sports. “We didn’t know how it was going to be so I’m super happy and still can’t believe it.”(BBC Sport)

Amazon Warriors Women stun Knight Riders for first win BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, ( CMC) – The Guyana Amazon Warriors Women kept alive their dream of qualifying for the Women’s Caribbean Premier League playoffs with an impressive 25run victory over the previously unbeaten Trinbago Knight Riders Women here on Saturday. The Knight Riders would have been favoured to win their third consecutive match after restricting the Amazon Warriors to 119 for eight in their 20 overs at Kensington Oval. However, pacer Shabnim Ismail broke the backbonIsmail, who was named Player-of-the-Match, struck with the third ball of the innings by dismissing Laura Harris for a first ball duck, and also bowled captain Deandra Dottin for 13 and had Yas-

tika Bhatia caught behind for six, to make the score 22 for three at the end of five overs. Fellow pacer Shamilia Connell then had Marizanne Kapp caught on the fine leg boundary in the ensuing over, and followed up by bowling Jannillea Glasgow off the inside edge three balls later, to see the Amazon Warriors collapse to 22 for five. Madeline Penna led a fightback with a gutsy 28 off 22 balls, but the Ashmini Munisar and Sheneta Grimmond struck at crucial times to ensure they never got close to their target. Ismail ended with 3-21, while Connell took 2-12 and Grimmond 2-19. Earlier, the Amazon Warriors wasted a decent start by their top

order that saw them advance to 98 for three at one stage, before losing five wickets for 14 runs in the latter end of their innings that left them 112 for eight in the 20th over. After Marizanne Kapp dismissed openers Tazmin Brits and Eboni Brathwaite, Shemaine Campbelle, who topscored with 31 and Erin Burns, who made 17, kept the runs flowing during a 42-run partnership. But once Campbelle was dismissed by Laura Harris, the Amazon Warriors lost their way, with Dottin and Shikha Pandey stifling the middle and lower order batters with disciplined bowling. Pandey was the pick of the Amazon Warriors’ bowlers with 2-9, while Kapp took 2-20 and Dottin 2-26.

Shabnim Ismail destroyed the Trinbago Knight Riders Women with a three-wicket haul

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| SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026