Major tourism investment projects to be advertised – President Ali
–– says move aims to attract local, diasporic, international investors
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has announced that the government will soon advertise major tourism investment projects across various regions of the country as part of efforts to expand the country’s tourism industry and attract investors, both local and international.
The Head of State made this known during a recent engagement with the Canada-Guyana Chamber of Commerce, during which he noted that these projects would soon be formally introduced through public expressions of interest in the local and international press.
“We’ll be publishing in the local and international press, expressions of interest with business and
investment proposals for tourism investment in various regions of our country,” the President said, adding, “Eleven such projects will be advertised internationally to push our tourism sector.”
He noted that the initiative forms part of a broader national effort to position Guyana as a premier destination for sustainable and adventure tourism, capitalising on the country’s natural assets and diverse heritage.
President Ali said, “Tourism is one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.”
He went on to add that Guyana’s unique blend of rainforest, rivers and cultural heritage offers unmatched potential for eco-tourism and adventure tourism.
Against this backdrop, he underscored the government’s commitment to pursuing tourism development from a holistic standpoint that ensures both investors and communities benefit sustainably.
“Once we pursue the sector, we’re going to do it from a holistic perspective, ensuring that we invest in the ecosystem that will bring profitability to your investment and enduring success,” he added.
To this end, he invited Canadian and diasporic investors to participate in Guyana’s next phase of tourism growth and pointed to Canada’s strong reputation for building successful models in sustainable tourism.
“Canadian investors and operators, many of whom have built successful models in sustainable tourism, can play a key role in developing the sector,” he said.
Dr Ali reiterated that the government is taking a strategic approach to building supporting infrastructure, including transportation, energy, and digital systems, to complement tourism investment and make destinations more accessible and competitive.
He emphasised that the government’s tourism strategy aims not only to attract international visitors, but to ensure the industry generates longterm economic benefits, job creation, and community participation.
President, Dr Irfaan Ali
Full mechanisms being put in place to support students, other Guyanese in Jamaica Catastrophic Hurricane Melissa…
–– President Ali says GDF, CDC stand ready to assist island
HIS Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali said systems are being put in place to support Guyanese, especially students, in Jamaica as the island braces for the devastating Hurricane Melissa
The Head of State, in a personalised message to Guyanese on the island, said: “I want to assure all of you that I’m in contact with the officials in Jamaica. I’ve asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be fully engaged, and we are also working with the private sector to get some level of support to the students and any vulnerable families in Jamaica.”
President Ali instructed
the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ms Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, and Foreign Secretary Mr Robert Persaud to engage the necessary stakeholders to ensure the safety of students and Guyanese living on the island, while providing the necessary support.
The President also noted that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) are ready to support Jamaica.
“I’ve sent off a letter to the Government of Jamaica, telling them that the Guyana Defence Force
and the CDC are fully mobilised and stand ready to support every effort in this very dangerous situation.
“I want to ask all of you to remain safe, remain calm, support each other, and I want you to know that we are putting a full mechanism in place.”
The slow-moving Melissa, which strengthened to a Category Four overnight, is expected to make landfall on Monday night or Tuesday morning as either a Category Four (130–156 miles per hour) or Category Five (over 157 miles per hour) hurricane.
It is already causing flooding on the island. (OP)
Hurricane forecasters warn Hurricane Melissa could be ‘potentially catastrophic’ for Jamaica. Anticipated to become a Category 5 hurricane, Melissa is expected to make landfall on Monday night or Tuesday morning bringing catastrophic flooding and landslides
Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali
Fishermen move a boat to higher ground, in preparation for Hurricane Melissa, in Port Royal, Jamaica, October 26, 2025 (REUTERS/Octavio Jones)
Minister Parag inspects construction works at $2.6B Hosororo Secondary School
––
MINISTER of Education
sets short-term deadlines, says one teaching block will be ready for intake within two weeks retention.
Sonia Parag, on Sunday visited the $2.6 billion state-of-the-art Hosororo Secondary School complex in Region One (Barima-Waini) to ensure that the ground-breaking project is on schedule for an early 2026 completion.
“The complex... is quite a massive complex that is going to comfortably hold 800 students,” Minister Parag said.
To ensure that this completion date is met, Minister Parag also set out several short-term deadlines, notably for the electrical installation and completion of the teaching blocks.
She stated that within the next two weeks, one of the two teaching blocks, each comprising five buildings, will be completed and ready for intake.
“Two of these buildings
will be fully completed by November 7th,” Minister Parag stated, adding that the goal is to “transition students as fast as possible into the new buildings so that they can be in a comfortable space.”
The project encompasses several modern facilities, including laboratories, a dining area, and specialised facilities for Science, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Information Technology, Home Economics, and Industrial Technology.
Minister Parag was very keen on inspecting the modern living quarters which are designed to house up to 30 teachers.
“We want to be able to have our teachers as well in comfortable conditions,” Minister Parag said, emphasising how important these facilities are for staff
Furthermore, the dedicated dormitory, which will provide residence for some 350 students, is projected to be fully operational by December.
The overall goal is to initially accommodate approximately 400 of the 800 students who will be attending the school from the various communities scattered across the North-West region.
“We are looking to have the entire building, all of the buildings be ready by the end of December,” Minister Parag said, “then we want to be able to move all of the students into the various buildings by January for the January to April term or Easter term.”
The education minister stressed that all utilities for the school, especially the essential services such as running water, electricity, proper plumbing, and washroom facilities must be prioritised.
Moreover, to ensure that water shortage is never an issue, a well will be specifically constructed to serve the entire complex.
The education ministry is currently working along with the Guyana Water Incorporated to ensure that this is up and running within a month. In the interim, a reservoir is being used for water supply.
The minister concluded her visit by reiterating collective commitment to the deadline. “The contractors have given their commitment to completing the project on time, which is the 24th of January, 2026,” she stated. She also confirmed that she will make an interim visit to ensure all short-term deadlines are met.
The minister’s team also comprised Permanent Secretary, Shannielle Hoosein-Outar; Chief Education Officer, Mr Saddam Hussain; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Administration), Ms. Tiffany Harvey; Deputy Chief Education Officer (Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development); and Mr. Sherwyn Blackman, Assistant Chief Education Officer – Secondary. (MoE)
Education Minister Sonia Parag on Sunday visited $2.6B Hosororo Secondary School which is expected to be completed by January 24, 2026. One teaching block will be ready for intake within two weeks (MoE photos)
Guyana’s eco-tourism sector rooted in Indigenous heritage – Minister Rodrigues
GUYANA is not just making a mark in the eco-tourism sector; it’s leaving a huge dent, one that places our country among the best eco-tourism nations in the world. It is rooted deeply in Indigenous heritage.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Susan Rodrigues has stated that eco-tourism development in the Rupununi, has been identified as a key driver of community liveliness, conservation awareness, and sustainable income generation.
As tourism continues to play a vital role in Guyana’s economic transformation, it represents a key pillar of our strategy for economic diversification, beyond the thriving oil and gas sector.
Guyana’s tourism model is uniquely positioned, built on sustainability, culture, authenticity, and nature-based experiences which set us apart from traditional Caribbean destinations, the minister said.
She recalled a prior conversation she had, where she
underscored that our tourism product is very diverse, from anything else in this part of the region.
The tourism minister added, “Even around the world, because most of the Caribbean is known for white sand and beaches and Guyana, we have beaches too, not with the blue waters but we have something more unique.”
The minister said people come to Guyana, and are able to experience our culture, they are part of our religious festivals, and all of the religious holidays/national holidays that are celebrated on a national scale.
This, she expressed, is something that is truly unique and beautiful.
Further, the minister affirmed that the pristine rainfalls, our rich cultural diversity, among other areas, makes Guyana a top, emerging destination for eco and adventure tourism, with the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) leading the charge in promoting these assets, and developing communi -
ty-based tourism projects that ensure locals are at the centre of visitor experiences.
In an August 2025 edition of “The Environment In Focus” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Guyana’s tourism sector was highlighted.
The EPA had stated that Guyana has already taken important steps in the direction of Green Tourism. In January 2023, five eco-lodges were awarded with the internationally recognised Good Travel Seal Green Destinations Certificate, an endorsement that is aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and one that reflects their commitment to responsible operations, including water conservation, wildlife protection, and sustainable management practices. Additionally, it must be noted that tourism has the potential to support the economy as well as community development, particularly when tourists pay to access protected sites and experience Guyana’s cultural heritage.
Just last Thursday, the GTA and Rainforest Tours launched the Orealla Safari and South Rupununi Safari, experiences guaranteed to bring adventure, and allow Guyanese to discover Guyana’s beauty one mile at a time.
At the time, Minister Rodrigues said, “the Orealla Safari marks a historic moment in our tourism journey. For the first time, an official safari contingent will travel deep into Region Six to the Indigenous Village of Orealla, nestled along the Corentyne River; There, the residents of Orealla will host our visitors, preparing wholesome meals, offering accommodation stops, and sharing their traditions and living culture.
This is significant because it ensures that the benefits of tourism flow directly into the hands of the people who call Orealla home.
In a community of approximately 2,000 residents, where eco-tourism is already emerging and rooted in indigenous heritage.”
Girl, 6, dies after explosion at Regent Street gas station
—Fire Service initiates probe
SIX-YEAR-OLD Soraya Bourne has succumbed to her injuries following a powerful explosion at Mobil gas station at Regent and King Streets, Georgetown.
The child was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where she was subsequently pronounced dead.
The Guyana Fire Service is actively investigating the explosion, according to a preliminary report.
Upon arrival, firefighters observed extensive damage. One vehicle was completely destroyed, a black Fielder wagon suffered a shattered windshield, and the airbag of a black SUV was deployed.
Four individuals were transported to the GPHC for
Two others remain in critical condition, while one person sustained minor injuries.
Firefighters responded promptly, carrying out firefighting, rescue, and recovery operations, the preliminary report read, noting that the area was immediately cordoned off to ensure public safety and to enable a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion.
“The Guyana Fire Service extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the
deceased and wishes a full and speedy recovery to all those injured. The Service assures the public that every effort is underway to determine the cause of this tragic incident,” the report further stated.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Investigations are ongoing.
Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues captured at the golden hour, during a boat ride on the Demerara River in September (Photo by Japheth Savory photo)
Soraya Bourne
The scene following Sunday night’s explosion medical care.
Building Communities
THE government’s $20 billion investment in new housing development represents more than the construction of buildings — it is a statement of vision, one that places people, progress, and prosperity at the heart of national development.
Through projects now unfolding in Overwinning, Providence, Glasgow, Hogstye, Moleson Creek, and beyond, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration is not merely distributing land, it is building communities that promise a better standard of living for thousands of Guyanese families.
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, has made clear that this initiative is as much about inclusivity as it is about infrastructure.
The government’s housing drive seeks to provide equitable access to land, affordable homeownership, and the amenities that
make life dignified: roads, schools, utilities, and recreation spaces.
This approach is both timely and necessary, particularly as urbanisation accelerates and demand for housing continues to surge across the regions.
It is encouraging to see tangible progress. At Palmyra, for example, 200 modern houses are being built, with 100 set for occupancy before year’s end. These are not the bare lots of yesterday’s policies but movein-ready homes — a model that eliminates years of waiting and reduces financial strain on first-time homeowners.
The inclusion of modular and customisable home designs also signals a shift towards innovation and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.
Yet, the housing sector’s promise will be fully realised only if the momentum is sustained and the quality of development is
upheld. The bottlenecks at Moleson Creek — due to access limitations — are reminders that large-scale infrastructure requires careful coordination among ministries, contractors, and local authorities.
The government must ensure that no project lags due to bureaucratic inefficiencies or uneven execution.
The scale of investment, $20 billion and counting , underscores a long-term commitment to transforming land allocation into tangible social progress.
Each housing development brings with it a multiplier effect: jobs for contractors, business for suppliers and renewed vitality for communities.
Local banks, by lowering mortgage rates, have joined this national effort, making homeownership a reality for more families than ever before.
What is emerging is a vision of Guyana
where development is both inclusive and sustainable — where Regions Five and Six are not peripheral, but pivotal in the country’s growth story.
The Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) must continue to hold itself to high standards of transparency and accountability to ensure that this ambitious programme benefits all Guyanese, regardless of geography or income level.
Ultimately, the government’s housing agenda must be seen as a cornerstone of social transformation — a deliberate attempt to replace patchwork settlements with structured communities that empower citizens and strengthen the social fabric.
If executed with diligence and foresight, this $20 billion investment will not simply build homes. It will build hope, and in doing so, help define the future of a modern Guyana.
Respiratory therapists are important to our healthcare system
FROM October 19 to 25, 2025, Guyana joined the world in the observation of International Respiratory Care Week, under the theme, ‘Your Breath, Our Mission.’
Throughout the week, the work of Respiratory Care Professionals, who devote their skills and compassion to lending a helping hand to ensure that their patients breathe easier, was recognised and celebrated.
Along with public-education activities in an attempt to recruit additional students for the third cohort on Respiratory Therapy, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) alongside the Ministry of Health and the University of Guyana promoted respiratory health by raising awareness on
respiratory diseases, intervention, and effective management.
On Friday last, they hosted a virtual meet and greet/ mentorship session with students in the Respiratory Therapy (RT) programme at the university, one of the final events of the week.
The meet and greet allowed students to gather information about their profession from seasoned practitioners and their lecturers, highlighting to them their importance and role in the healthcare system.
Delivering remarks, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Office in Geneva, Ambassador Dr Leslie Ramsammy made it his mission to highlight that it is very important for
us that step by step, we are placing respiratory health and lung health as a critical part of the general health of our people.
Dr Ramsammy stated
that some of Guyana’s neighbouring countries are looking at our country to lead and to help support similar developments in their country.
–– Pioneers in Guyana and other developing countries
The ambassador posited that Guyana stands today as among the first developing countries around the world to have a formal and certified training programme at the university level for Respiratory Therapists.
“I’m delighted to be part of today’s meet and greet for the first batch and for the second batch of RT students in Guyana. You are pioneers in Guyana. In fact, you are pioneers for most of the developing world,” Dr Ramsammy told students.
He boasted of the University of Guyana being one of the few universities in the global south to have a first-world curriculum for R.Ts, and to have an RT programme.
Calling out key local players on this, Ambassa-
dor Ramsammy expressed thanks to international partners who have been a part of building Guyana’s respiratory-health capacity, such as the Chiesi Foundation in Italy, that is dedicated to the promotion of healthy lungs, globally.
He disclosed that for nearly 15 years, the foundation has assisted Guyana in the development of its spirometry training programme, and is aiding in developing statistical indicators to measure the extent of local lung diseases.
“Respiratory health is still not situated in the proper place in the global health sector.
I tonight, as I do every single day, urge the WHO (World Health
Ambassador, Dr Leslie Ramsammy, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations Office in Geneva (File Photo)
Respiratory therapists are important ...
Organization) to work more diligently to correct this deficit.
The world faces a stiff challenge with shortages of health resources.
One of the worst shortages in terms of health human resources in Guyana and around the world is for respiratory therapists,” Ambassador Ramsammy remarked.
According to Dr Ramsammy, respiratory health is critical for universal health coverage, because respiratory diseases are a leading cause of death and disability, and requires continuous and comprehensive care.
He said further that ensuring everyone has access to preventive care, diagnosis and treatment for lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, and tuberculosis is essential for universal health care.
he said.
“Prioritising lung health also involves addressing risk factors like air pollution, which further supports UHC’s (Universal Health Coverage) broader objective. Outside of this, hospital care for heart diseases, for treating various diseases in critical-care areas, treating patients on ventilators, for ensuring neonatal safety when they are being treated in neonatal intensive care units, etc., requires a staff of respiratory specialists, both doctors and nurses, and a cadre of respiratory therapists,”
Foreign Affairs Ministry closely monitoring Hurricane Melissa
The following is the full statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation:
“THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is closely monitoring Hurricane Mellissa, which is approaching Jamaica, where a number of Guyanese students are studying.
President Irfaan Ali has mandated the Permanent Secretary Sharon Roopchand-Edwards to engage Guyana’s Honorary Consul and students and other Guyanese living in Jamaica to ensure their safety and prepare care packages, if necessary. Also, government officials have been in direct contact with both government and emergency services officials in Jamaica as the Hurricane approaches the Island.
President Ali has directed the Guyana Defence Force and the Civil Defence Commission to be mobilised should any assistance be required. The Jamaican government has been informed of Guyana’s willingness to assist should it be required.
Students in need of more information can contact the Permanent Secretary at: 592 ±592611 0345 or email: ps@minfor.gov.gy”.
Dr Ramsammy explained that respiratory therapists’ work is not merely being in a hospital setting, they are critical for community care.
In passing, Dr Ramsammy mentioned that on the East Coast of Demerara, at Industry, is Guyana’s first-ever, standalone, Lung Health Centre, with a dedicated Sleep Centre.
He underscored, “And that is not something you hear about in developing countries. Guyana is investing in that, an extension satellite facility of the Georgetown Public Hospital,”
Ensuring that everyone has access to preventive care, diagnosis and treatment for lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, pneumonia, and tuberculosis is essential for universal health care (Getty Images)
Factors that led to the demise of Kaieteur News
IN my assessment yesterday (Sunday) as to why the Stabroek News (SN) is facing extinction, I did state that the factors in the SN situation were different from those of Kaieteur News (KN) but did not elaborate.
Here now is my outline as to why the KN is comatose.
Of course, I will avoid the obvious –the online technology and social media are killing the global print media. A print media outfit is a huge multi-million undertaking and is expensive to sustain. A sophisticated online news entity can be produced by an experienced group of journalists with no fancy expenses. We are seeing that in every country, without exception.
The factors that led to the demise of SN are completely different from those that are responsible for KN’s demise. The two newspapers started in completely different circumstances. SN was born out of the changing class structure of Guyana, and relied on that class structure for its existence. The details of this discussion need not detain us here, as they are boldly described in yesterday (Sunday)’s piece.
KN started as a modest project with money being hard to come by. It was the brainchild of Glen Lall, who simply felt he wanted Guyana to have a different type of newspaper from that of the SN. It began as a typical, wildish, sensationalist tabloid. That type of for-
mat made it popular with the working people, the poor rural folks, and certain sub-cultures in Guyana.
As its popularity grew exponentially, its interest began to diversify. It wanted to break out into hard news and political news. It succeeded in this direction, and its complement of experienced journalistic staff made that direction successful. Together with crime reporting and analysis of government, power and politics, KN became a mainstream newspaper.
It began to outsell SN because it reached a wider cross-section of people. KN reached its apogee in the era of the Buxton massacres between 2002 and 2006.The paper literally was the only source of information about the nuances, angles and mysteries of Guyana’s crime madness.
As the crime spree abated, KN began to lose some of its popularity, but not in a way to jeopardise the newspaper’s existence. The threat to the newspaper came from the psychic transformation of its owner, Mr. Glenn Lall. Around 2010, Mr. Lall, who, from the inception was prepared to accept ownership but let the newspaper be run by journalists, decided that he wanted to control the contents of the newspaper.
It is a complex story to describe, but Mr. Lall felt that KN had made him a superstar, and he was no longer prepared to remain behind the scenes and let his staff carry the newspaper. What happened from 2010 onwards was that Mr. Lall saw the newspaper as the vehicle to push his personality, ego and national status. In other words, Mr. Lall felt that he had become a powerful figure in Guyana, and he wanted to use the newspaper to stamp his image on Guyana.
It was a disaster in the making. Mr. Lall was hardly familiar with the dimensions of intellectual endowments, had
no experience in journalism, and was not good at all in his relationship with the different aspects of the Guyanese society. Two things took over the soul of Mr. Lall, and he infused the newspaper with those impositions – one was a crazed obsession with the PPP/C government, and secondly, the oil industry.
The KN was about these two things. Crime reporting that made it a household name was no longer a priority. The paper began to lose its mainstream image and competent staff. Those who stayed no longer had faith in the newspaper and showed no interest in rekindling the spark. The KN began to go down because its wealthy owner had become autocratic and irrational.
Mr. Lall began to tell journalists what he wanted to go into the newspapers and in a majority of cases it was not journalistic material. The paper descended to the worst levels ever seen in a glossy, gossipy, sensationalist tabloid.
The result was that the newspaper received more libel writs than any other newspaper in the entire world, totalling over a hundred. Believe it or leave it–over a hundred in which the court losses totalled over a hundred million dollars. In a modest economy like Guyana’s, that is bound to kill a newspaper.
Unlike the SN, where the changing social structure of Guyana rendered it irrelevant, the KN died because of oneman rule. There are simply no other factors to attribute to the fall of KN except the dominance of its wealthy owner.
Today, the KN barely sells its print edition. Its superstar days are dead and gone.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Guyana modernises foreign-judgement law, eyes new bilateral partnerships
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC, has said that the modernised framework governing the enforcement of foreign judgements, has paved the way for expanded international co-operation and new bilateral agreements with countries across different legal systems.
Nandlall made this known while speaking on the ‘Starting Point’ podcast, where he explained that the updated Foreign Judgments (Reciprocal Enforcement) Act, passed in 2023, replaced an outdated law.
That reform, he said, was essential to ensure that Guyana remains aligned with global standards in the recognition and enforcement of court rulings across jurisdictions.
“No country is an island. The world is a very integrated place, so it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure that you must have a mechanism in place internationally that allows judgements validly and obtained in a court of competent jurisdiction in country A to be able to be enforced in country B, and you must have a reciprocal type of arrangement in place between these two countries, because they are sovereign nations,” he said.
Guyana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, SC
Nandlall noted that the country’s previous legislation was inherited from the colonial era and was limited in its application.
“This has been done since we were a colony. You had an old foreign judgment, Reciprocal Enforcement Act, dating back to the 1920s signed between Great Britain and many other countries. And at that time, we would have been a colony, so we would have received that law. So, all the countries that were signatory with England to have English court judgements obtained in English courts
enforced in those countries, Guyana inherited that,” he explained to listeners.
The AG explained that the government’s decision to repeal the old act and enact a modern version was part of broader legislative reforms aimed at strengthening investor confidence and ensuring fairness in cross-border transactions.
“We repealed that act in 2023, and we passed a modern enforcement of [the] Foreign Judgment Act. As I said, it’s a model legislation. I believe we got it from CARICOM, and we included
Gov’t invites revised proposals for Amaila Falls hydro project
THE government, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), is currently receiving proposals in response to its revised Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for development of the Amaila Falls hydro project under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model.
The project, which is expected to deliver a minimum installed capacity of 165 megawatts (MW), forms a key part of Guyana’s clean-energy transition.
The hydro facility will include a dam, powerhouse, substation, and a 23-square-kilometre storage reservoir, consistent with environmental studies and permits.
Under the revised RFPs, developers are required to assume all geotechnical risks associated with the project and must demonstrate proven capability and
financial capacity to deliver large-scale hydro projects.
Only firms or consortia that have successfully built at least three hydro projects of 100 MW or more in the last ten years will be considered.
The government has stated that while the transmission network will be developed separately, the size of the hydro may be re-engineered to take advantage of advancements in turbine technology, potentially allowing for greater power generation.
This project will be executed through a new Special Purpose Company (SPC), which will receive all relevant licenses and permits previously issued up to April 2015. Independent supervision of the project’s design and construction will also be engaged under agreed Terms of Reference (ToR).
it in the schedule of countries about nearly 150 countries. So, Guyanese judgments can be enforced in about 150 countries,” Nandlall stated.
According to him, this expanded legal network will provide reassurance to businesses and investors that Guyana’s legal system is internationally recognised and enforceable.
“I think that’s a very important point, because it inspires confidence in the business community too, and that is why it was done, because Investor A can come here, run up a liability, have
very limited or no assets in Guyana, pack up shop and disappears to Australia, but we have that agreement with Australia, and we can enforce in Australia,” he explained.
However, Nandlall noted that while the legislation provides the framework for enforcement, the next phase involves concluding new bilateral arrangements with countries where such agreements do not yet exist.
“There are countries on that list that we may have to have an agreement with and is something that we will begin to work on, like
we never had these types of relationships with, a country like China, because we come from a different legal system,” he said.
He added, “So you add countries there that we never had that type of relationship with…we have to get those concluded, but the legislation is there, the framework is there.
All we got to do now is to conclude bilateral arrangements with countries where we don’t have those arrangements currently, and we didn’t have them historically.”
Qualified developers are required to submit detailed proposals, including project schedules, EPC price breakdowns and financing plans, along with several other undertakings, as outlined in a press release issued by the Office of the Prime Minister (see below).
The deadline for submissions is February 15, 2026, and all proposals must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.
For additional information, interested companies may contact the Gas-to-Energy Task Force at the Office of the Prime Minister via email at gas-to-energy@ gte.gov.gy, with a copy to ps@opm.gov.gy, or by telephone at +1 (592) 2252602. (DPI)
$52M Regional Housing Office commissioned at Fort Wellington to boost service delivery
MINISTER of Housing, Collin Croal, on Friday commissioned a brand-new Regional Housing Office at Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, Region Five.
This modern facility, valued at $52 million, is designed to enhance service delivery and better meet the housing needs of residents in Regions Five and Six. It is situated in the same compound of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
In his feature remarks, Minister Croal underscored the importance of the newly commissioned office and the ministry’s efforts in strengthening its regional presence.
“You know, the Ministry
of Housing in itself, we are growing in every region in terms of the capacity and the work that is required ahead,” the minister stated.
“Similarly, here in Region Five, for example, we still have a number of pending applicants. So, we have taken a decision to be able to strengthen the offices at a regional level, and if you’re going to strengthen the offices at a regional level, it is not only from the staffing, you also need to make the staff comfortable,” he said.
With this new structure, the ministry says it will be better positioned to address a number of concerns that residents are experiencing and reduce the backlog of
applications.
Moreover, the ministry has taken decisive steps in facilitating training for its employees, so that they are equipped with the requisite skills in carrying out their duties efficiently.
Prior to the establishment of this new facility, the office of the Ministry of Housing operated out of the office of the Regional Democratic Council. Minister Croal expressed his ministry’s appreciation to the Regional Heads for the accommodation.
As a result of the move, two new positions will be added to the staff composition: a cashier and a conveyance officer. (DPI)
Minister Collin Croal at the commissioning of the new housing office (DPI photo)
Bird-whistling and horse-cart racing
THERE are two Guyanese pastimes that have been a fixture in our society for ages and are either outrightly illegal or tethering on the brink of illegality or instigate illegal activities as a by-product. In this column, I want to take a dive into this Guyanese fixture.
It would not be unusual to see young men with caged birds in a wire mesh enclosure measuring, on average, about 10 by 14 inches. We affectionately refer to men carrying around bird cages as “bird men.” They are assuredly carrying a bird from the seed-finch family. Some of the local names for the various species are: fire red, towa-towa, twa-twa, black and white stache, keck, and yellow fever. These birds are exclusively male. The choice of male birds is deeply rooted in ecoornithological beliefs about the lifestyle of these birds. Males in the seed-finch family are said to have high libido and use singing routines to attract females.
The conventional belief among local ‘bird men’ is that when the male finch is kept away from females, their libido becomes more intense, prompting longer and more intense singing routines. Further, conventional wisdom suggest that males have to outperform other males to get the girl. Therein lies the commodifying of bird whistling in Guyana.
It is therefore not unusual to walk past a couple of youths at the side of the street, having heated discussions about someone who has a “bad bird” and someone else who got a
“badder bird” than that. A bird is considered to be ‘bad’ if it consistently whistles during the day but has a turbo charged whistling routine during the early morning sun rising hours.
As it turns out, these ‘bird minding’ activities have strong links to speculative gaming competition. Birdmen usually are part of a highly organised but informal association where information is shared word of mouth. Bird whistling competition with highly developed, but unwritten, gaming rules are organised. Large groups of mostly men would gather at designated places to witness these songbirds strutting their stuff. These competitions attract hundreds of thousands of dollars or items of value in bets. Some events attract an entrance fee for patrons, in some cases patrons simply turn up to witness the show and an impromptu, church-like collection basket is passed around for a voluntary spectator’s fee. In some instances, certain whistling benchmarks are set, once the bird hit those benchmarks, patrons throw money at them similar to the way men do in a typical strip club.
On a side note, in Guyanese lingo, the term “bird” is also synonymous with women. Most assuredly, when a man says he is going to check out a ‘bird’ it has noting to do with members of the biological avian family. The title “birds-man” is therefore reserved for men who are articulate and know their way around the ladies.
Guyanese exported this practice to the
USA, chiefly in Brooklyn and Queens New York. These birds, especially those with a proven track record, are traded locally for handsome profits. These profits can skyrocket if sold to New Yorkers. It appears that attempts were made to breed these birds in captivity in New York but were not successful in raising mean aggressive whistlers that meet the standards of wild caught finches in Guyana. As such, a viable market for Guyanese bred finches exist. However, moving birds from Guyana to America would be subjected to certain quotas, licenses, health checks and quarantine to ensure that the birds are not carriers of any avian pathogens that may infect other animals or humans. This is a stringent and rigorous mechanism that the informal gaming association wishes to sidestep to avoid scrutiny and payment of associated fees.
There are several occasions where birds were sedated in Guyana and smuggled in luggage through Timehri only to wake up at JFK Airport and serenade their way to airport security and vector control personnel who have no choice but to euthanise the birds and lay charges on the smugglers.
The other subject at caption is the horsedrawn cart being used as alternative transportation for moving services. There is also an informal underground association for racing horse-carts on some of the main streets of Georgetown, where huge wagers are made. This practice involves disrupting traffic and
By L eonard craig
using the roadway as a racetrack with a full complement of spectators and betting gamers drawn to the location strictly by word of mouth through the underground mechanism.
There has been some talk about eliminating horse-drawn vehicles in Guyana and entreaty to the government to give grants to owners of these vehicles to transition from horse to canter. I am personally indifferent to these proposals but tending on the side of getting the horses out and offering funding for canters.
That said, I will advocate for both horsedrawn cart racing and bird whistling competition to benefit from some form of regulation to bring them into the formal economy. These activities can also benefit from special facilities fit for purpose, in favor of unregulated spontaneous underground events.
These two Guyanese pastimes have been with us for well over 75 year and there were several attempts to eliminate them, but yet they persist. Both of these activities will make Guyana one of the only destinations in the world where people can safely participate in and witness these activities.
It can be a good tourist attraction and a formal employer and income stream for many.
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.
Essequibo positioned for great opportunities ––PMPhillipssays
–– highlights transformative projects at ECCI Trade Expo
By Indrawattie Natram
PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips has reaffirmed that Essequibo is well-positioned for major opportunities across all sectors, as government-led initiatives continue to drive modernisation and growth.
Speaking at the Essequibo Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ECCI) Trade Expo on October 25, the Prime Minister said the four-lane highway for Essequibo will be a transformative project, reducing travel time, improving access to markets and services and stimulating business and residential expansion.
He also highlighted ongoing energy developments, including solar farms at Onderneeming and Charity with a combined capacity of 8 megawatts, which will strengthen the region’s power supply and are expected to reduce electricity costs.
Lower energy expenses, he noted, will benefit both residents and entrepreneurs while encouraging industrial growth.
Prime Minister Phillips emphasised the government’s focus on inclusive development, pointing to training programmes for women entrepreneurs and skills-development initiatives aimed at preparing Essequibians for new economic opportunities.
He announced that the removal of tuition fees for tertiary education and free scholarships for Essequibo students will help build a more skilled workforce, while the new nursing training facility will expand healthcare capacity and employment prospects in the region.
From 2026 to 2031, he said, economic confidence is expected to remain strong, supported by government initiatives such as zero-interest micro-loans and business-training programmes designed to help small and medium-size enterprises grow sustainably.
The Prime Minister also pointed to national development efforts in housing, energy and agriculture,
which he said will have a ripple effect, expanding access to essential services and making Region Two more attractive to investors.
“Essequibo is playing a vital role in Guyana’s national development agenda,” Prime Minister Phillips stated.
“With the four-lane road project, renewable energy expansion and new nursing school, the region is poised for greatness and [is] ready to attract new investments.”
He urged the business community to embrace technology and innovation to enhance competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips speaking at the expo
The Prime Minister meets with local exhibitors
Retired educator pleased with Guyana’s
rapid development in all sectors
–– recounts some of her teaching experiences
By Michel Outridge
LOUISE Moore-Johnson
has given back to her community and by extension the country, through teaching. For many years, she served in different areas as an educator.
As a young teacher, things then were simpler and Guyana was a long way from the development we see today.
From then to now, Moore-Johnson is very pleased with how Guyana is rapidly developing in all sectors, including education and infrastructure.
A Guyanese by birth, she began her teaching career in 1964 at the Number Five Primary School.
At the time she was almost 18 years old.
In 1969, she moved on to the Baramita Primary School. At that time, the school was located deep in the village, nowhere near the airstrip as it is today.
She explained that when she arrived by plane and landed at the airstrip, they had to drive farther in to get to the school compound, which also housed a shop, a house, a health facility and the teachers’ quarters.
Moore-Johnson told the Guyana Chronicle that when they arrived, the only visible clearing was where the primary school stood. The area was isolated and surrounded by dense forest. The school was later relocated to Central Baramita, a more modern development in the hinterland community.
She is from the Number 40 Village, West Coast Berbice and as a young teacher, she was looking for opportunities to gain experience in her field. It was for this reason that she accepted the offer to teach in Baramita, which was very far from her home.
Herself and a female neighbour were excited to embark on their new teaching
journey away from home, but her decision did not find favour with her father.
She recalled that she, Parbattie (only name given) and another teacher, George Holder, journeyed to the remote village to teach at the primary school.
Moore-Johnson explained that there wasn’t much there when they arrived, and they had to be transported by tractor. The school was located about five miles from the airstrip, where small planes landed with goods and people.
She said there were three buildings there, the only clearing in what seemed like never-ending bushes and trees.
Moore-Johnson added that Wesley Baird’s house and shop were located in one of the three buildings in the clearing. The school was housed in a small building located nearby.
She explained that the third building housed the
teachers’ quarters and a small office where Cecil Mohan administered malaria vaccines to locals.
She tried her best to adjust to her new surroundings. Things were going well until an unfortunate mishap almost prevented them from leaving the area for the July-August vacation break.
According to her recollection, while journeying out of the area, a tree fell blocking their path to the
airstrip. They had no choice but to walk several miles to the airstrip.
She said teaching in that remote village left an imprint on her and when she returned in the new school term, she found that the school had been relocated to Central Baramita, much closer to the airstrip. The conditions were also better, she recalled.
The school building sat on a hill overlooking the area. She spent almost five years in the community before illness forced her to leave in January 1974.
Moore Johnson, a mother of two boys, said when she returned home for a visit, she was pleased with the development she saw.
It was while teaching in Baramita that she met Delano Johnson, who would later become her husband. At the time, the coastlander was working in Region One as a revenue collector attached to the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC). He subsequently passed away.
Today, the 76-year-old retired teacher is living in Antigua and Barbuda and has three grandchildren. Her last visit to Guyana was in September this year.
“I believe that people who have never served in Guyana’s hinterland areas in any capacity cannot envisage the beauty of this country and its Indigenous population,” Moore Johnson told this publication as the interview concluded.
Subsequently, she enrolled in the two-year programme at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) and graduated in 1976. She also taught at Belladrum Primary School, located approximately four miles from her home and in 1982, she migrated to Antigua and Barbuda where she was employed as a teacher at the Freetown Primary School. She spent 25 years there before moving on to the Sunnyside Primary Private School where she remained for eight years before retiring.
Retired educator Louise Moore-Johnson
Gov’t invites proposals for US$300M ammonia, urea plant at Wales
THE government, through the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), is inviting Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) proposals for the establishment of the Guyana Ammonia and Urea Plant (GAUP) at Wales, West Bank Demerara.
The facility will utilise up to 20 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMCFD) from Phase II of the Wales gas-to-energy (GTE) pipeline to produce approximately 300,000 tons of fertiliser annually.
The project, valued at an estimated US$300 million, is expected to be operational by 2027/2028, aligning with the completion of Phase II of the GTE project.
The GAUP will operate as a public/private partnership, with the government
seeking an EPC contractor to design, construct, and operate the plant while securing a world-class technology licensor. The plant’s output will target both local and regional markets, including Northern Brazil and the Caribbean, to reduce fertiliser prices and support agricultural productivity.
The proposed site is located east of the GTE Combined Cycle Power Plant and Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility at Wales. The plant will receive lean gas from the Guyana Power and Gas Inc. (GPGI), a fully government-owned company.
The government will be responsible for establishing the new company to manage the project, structuring its financing and securing all necessary contracts and permits. Proposals will be evaluated on the basis of
experience, EPC, and operational costs, as well as delivery timelines (see the Office of the Prime Minister press release below).
The deadline for submissions is January 22, 2026, and all proposals must be submitted to the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB), Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.
For inquiries, interested parties may contact the Gas-to-Energy Task Force at the Office of the Prime Minister via email at gas-to-energy@gte.gov.gy, with a copy to ps@opm. gov.gy, or by telephone at +1 (592) 225-2602.
The government reserves the right to select suitable partners or annul the process without incurring any liability. (DPI)
Rain thwarts India and Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai
RAIN prevented a result between Bangladesh and co-hosts India in the final group stage game of the Women's World Cup as persistent rain had the final say in Navi Mumbai.
Chasing an adjusted target of 126 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after the game was reduced to 27 overs per side, India were 57-0 when the match officials were forced to call off the dead rubber.
Smriti Mandhana, the tournament's highest run scorer, hit an unbeaten 34 to keep her purple patch going but an injury to her opening partner Pratika Rawal while fielding will be a major cause of concern for India.
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur's side, already assured of their semi-final place, will now face defending champions Australia in the last four at the same venue on Thursday as they look to secure their maiden title.
India had made early inroads after bowling first in a game that was initially reduced to 43 overs per side, as Renuka Singh Thakur struck in the first over to dismiss Bangladesh opener Sumaiya Akter.
Off-spinner Deepti Shar-
India had already booked their Women's World Cup semi-final against Australia
ma then claimed the wicket of Rubya Haider Jhelik in the 10th over before rain returned with greater intensity to interrupt the proceedings. After a delay of more than two hours, the players returned with the game further truncated to 27 overs per side.
Sobhana Mostary, who struck an unbeaten 66 against Australia last week, tried to keep the runs flowing, partnering Sharmin Akter Supta (36), with the duo hitting
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08:00 hrs Night Wolf
08:30 hrs Day Of Brilliance
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10:45 hrs Duke's Command 11:20 hrs Hurstwood
NEWCASTLE
11:10 hrs Etretat
11:45 hrs Montezin
12:15 hrs Our Sin
12:45 hrs Bowood
13:15 hrs Candonomore
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Countdown on for...
gised for any inconvenience caused and said that it is looking forward to the participation of the teams on the new dates mentioned.
The tournament is being held in keeping with the wishes of Ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. and Steven Jacobs, who delivered remarks at the inaugural One Unification Softball Tournament, urging the GSCL to ensure they make full use of the four new stadiums across the country which are due to be officially opened later this year.
eight of the nine boundaries in the Bangladesh innings between them.
But once Mostary fell for 26 from 21 balls at 91-4 in the 22nd over, India picked up a wicket in every over as Bangladesh struggled to up the run rate.
India made a strong reply with Mandhana hitting six boundaries to reach 34 off 27 balls, but the weather had other plans as it forced an abrupt end to the contest. (BBC Sport)
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Minister Ramson had also urged the tournament’s organisers and players to consider rotating their tournaments around the country in order to broaden the reach and impact.
Following closely on the successful staging of the recent One Guyana Unification Extravaganza, held in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport, the GSCL is leaving no stone unturned to keep the grassroot game alive.
According to the organisers, this tournament is being used “to bring our people together through sports and by extension the grassroot game.”
This tournament will
(From page 23)
however be played with a difference, with matches scheduled to be played in all three counties – Demerara, Essequibo and Berbice with the Open category set for grounds across the ancient county, the Masters Over-40 in Essequibo and the Legends Over-50 in Demerara.
In addition, the women’s category will be played in Georgetown.
The action culminates at the Police Sports Club Ground on the final day with the finals in all four ca tegories.
The winners of all three men’s categories are guaranteed $500,000 while the runners-up will take home $100,000. Other incentives will also be up for grabs, with the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in each category, including the women, riding off with a motorcycle.
The winners of the women’s category will be awarded $200,000 and the losers $100,000.
Registration is ongoing and interested teams are asked to contact 219-041 or 746-0090.
Meanwhile, teams in Berbice are asked to contact Ganesh Balgobin on 642-9893 and for Essequibo, Patrick Rooplall on 671-5697.
DCC beat GCC by...
removed Sinclair after he had reached the boundary five times.
The off-spinner, who bowled a bit too quick then removed Persaud who hit a long-hop to short mid-wicket where Jyden Dowlin held a brilliant catch without addition to the score.
Akshaya Persaud (19) and first innings centurion Mavindra Dindyal (1) departed in the space of a run to leave GCC on 123-4.
Yeudistir Persaud followed up his ton in the last game with an entertaining 86 from 72 balls with five fours and a six before Van Lange got his wicket to finish off the innings.
Ashmead Nedd, who also bowled too fast, had 3-63, Wilson followed his five-for in the first innings with 2-49
(From back page)
and left-arm spinner Daniel Mootoo took 2-38 for DCC who required 137 to win outright in 22 overs.
DCC slipped to 23-3 as Lord bowled Van Lange (3) and Joshua Persaud (6) before Sinclair bowled Sachin Singh (6).
But questionable field settings from Lord; putting everyone on boundary instead of going for the unlikely win by playing attacking cricket backfired.
Imlach reached his unbeaten 61 from 49 balls with three sixes and three fours and shared in a 113run fourth wicket stand with Perez whose 49 lasted 51 balls and included three sixes as the pair scored singles easily before hitting boundaries towards the end.
Barnwell
BHS, Cotton Tree Die Hard benefit from ‘Project Cricket Gear’
BERBICE High School
(BHS) of New Amsterdam, Berbice and Cotton Tree
Die Hard Cricket Club youth section, have recently benefitted 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.
BHS was the recipient of one cricket gear bag, one football, one junior thigh pad, one junior arm guard, four red balls, one bat stick, one pair of batting pads, two cricket bats, two pairs of batting gloves and two bat rubbers.
Cotton Tree Die Hard
youths received two thigh pads, one arm guard, one helmet, one junior wicket-keeping gloves, four red cricket balls, two pairs of batting pads and two bat rubbers.
Total cricket related items received/purchased so far:
$730,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies,
36 pairs of cricket shoes, 39 pairs of batting pads, 48 cricket bats, 47 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 14 gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fiber glass bat, one pair of floppy hat, 16 boxes and four white cricket
New Zealand nullify Brook's heroic rescue act
HARRY Brook's one-man act - a superlative century - didn't translate to a favourable result as fifties from Daryl Mitchell (78*) and Michael Bracewell (51) powered New Zealand's 1-0 lead in the ODI series. Before they got going, Zakary Foulkes (4-41) and Jacob Duffy (3-55) set the game up
with a solid bowling effort that rattled Engand early before Brook hit back.
Matt Henry got New Zealand going on the first ball of the game, breaching the bat-pad gap of Jamie Smith to clean him up.
Foulkes then dismissed Ben Duckett - opened up from round the stumps to nick him
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Monday, October 27, 2025)
COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD
83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Rovman Powell-284 runs (12M)
(2) Shakib Al Hasan-347 runs (14M)
Today’s Quiz:
(1) What is the highest score made by a WI in a T20 against BANG to date?
(2) What is the highest score made by a BANG in a T20 versus the WI to date?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
off - and Joe Root - bowled off an inswinger, to push the visitors to 5/3.
That soon became 10/4 and 33/5 as Foulkes and Henry continued their partnership with the new ball to take out Jacob Bethell and Jos Buttler respectively. Sam Curran became Foulkes's fourth scalp of the game in the 12th over when edged one behind.
Brook, who'd already started to stoke the fires of a counterattack a few overs before, was joined by Jamie Overton in an innings-reviving stand. Brook swiftly established his intentions even amidst all the ruins as he raced to a 36-ball fifty in the 16th over, off a streaky top-edged six. Overton was happy to throw his bat around too as he went after Jacob Duffy. Overton copped a blow to his helmet off a Nathan Smith bouncer but was good to go after a short break. He dragged his stand with Brook past the halfway stage before being foxed by a slower one from Duffy.
He looked to work the ball on the leg side, but a leading edge flew to Daryl Mitchell at cover, sending him back for a vital 46 off 54 deliveries.
Duffy snuffed out Brydon Carse on the next ball, having him caught at backward point for a duck. At 143/8, the end seemed nigh for England, but Brook was not done. He tonked Duffy for a four and a six in the company of Adil Rashid, and then forged a 57run partnership with No.11 Luke Wood.
That alliance lasted for 32 deliveries, off which Wood had to face just four deliveries. Brook farmed the strike well and went from 85 off 73 at the time of Rashid's dismissal to finish with 135 off 101.
He smashed three sixes off Duffy in the 32nd over and three more in a Henry over. He smashed another off Smith to take his sixes tally to 11. While attempting a 12th against a tossed-up delivery from Mitchell Santner, he mistimed his slog sweep,
balls, 13 boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone, one batting inners and 28 footballs.
To date, 103 players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted directly from cash, 10 gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 40 bats, four boxes, six helmets, 38 pairs of cricket shoes, 22 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh
pads, one bat grip, 41 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads and four pairs of wicket-keeping gloves. Many others benefitted indirectly.
Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.
bringing an end to the innings on 223.
For the first hour of the chase, that target looked a lot bigger than it was. The comfort of having Kane Williamson and Tom Latham back was rather short-lived for New Zealand. Brydon Carse dismissed Will Young and then gave Williamson a first-ball duck in the second over. Wood then got Rachin Ravindra to nick a ball that moved away from the lefthander. Latham made a brisk start with three fours early on, but Carse trapped him leg before in the 12th over to leave New Zealand in a tricky position at 66 for 4. They fortified the chase for 15 overs to put it beyond
England's grasp even as they managed to break the partnership in the 27th over. An over after both got to their fifties, Bracewell fell against the run of play, run out while trying to steal a quick single. In came Mitchell Santner to once again put the game beyond doubt. During this stand between Santner and Mitchell, boundaries came more frequently. Santner hit two sixes off Adil Rashid to take the team past 200. In the same over, Rashid ended Santner's cameo with a wrong 'un. He exited for a 25-ball 27. Twelve balls later, Mitchell took New Zealand past the finish line with a four off Rashid. (Cricbuzz)
BHS representative collects gear
Players from Cotton Tree Die Hard pose with their gear
Daryl Mitchell top-scored in the chase with 78
Hope demands execution as Windies seek T20 redemption against Bangladesh
CHATTOGRAM,
Bangladesh, (CMC) – West Indies captain Shai Hope has called for ruthless execution from his bowlers and a fusion of power and smart cricket from his batters as his team looks to overturn a disappointing ODI series defeat and break a dismal streak in the T20 format against Bangladesh.
The first of three T20 Internationals bowls off at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium here today, with the Caribbean side desperate for a fresh start.
The memories of a 2-1 ODI series loss, where spin dominated, are still fresh.
Compounding the pressure, the West Indies are lugging the weight of having lost their last seven bilateral T20I series, a run stretching back to
October of last year.
This includes a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of these same Bangladeshi opponents just five months ago.
At the pre-match press conference, Hope acknowledged the challenges of the previous series but was keen to focus on the present.
He expressed optimism about the Chattogram pitch, suggesting it offers a different proposition from the spin-friendly track in Dhaka, where spinner Rishad Hossain “exploited those conditions” and “made it challenging for all of our batters.”
“New series, new surface, same goals,” Hope stated.
“We just gotta learn from the mistakes that we would’ve had in the ODI series. I don’t think the surface will play similarly, but again, if it does,
West Indies captain Shai Hope
we still have some of those learnings.”
The skipper pinpointed
Morris elected new president of Cayman Islands Cricket Board
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands, (CMC) – Cricketer Alessandro Morris is the new president of the Cayman Islands Cricket Board (CICB), having been elected unanimously.
Morris, who represented the Caymans in the ICC World Cup qualifier in Canada earlier this year, was recently elected during an emergency board meeting.
The former vice-president takes over the position previously held by Courtney Myles, who was elected back in 2021.
Other members of the executive include Vice-President Ricardo Roach; Treasurer Majin Paul; Secretary Jalon Linton and Directors Bruce Jalim, Cedric Gidarisingh, Andrew Ledger, Gerri-Ann Foster and Rakesh Baxani.
Alessandro Morris elected
“I want to thank the outgoing president, Courtney, for his work in taking the cricket up to this point and now is the time to take it even further,” Morris said.
“I have a strong executive with professionals on board and we will be looking to aggressively take the game forward on the island. As an Associate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC), we want to take our national team up the rankings and hopefully, not too far in the future, we can land ourselves in the World Cup.
bowling consistency as the critical area for improvement.
“We plan a lot, but if the
execution isn’t there, then the plans basically go out the window. It’s just about being more ruthless with our lines and lengths and making it more challenging for the opposition batters.”
When confronted with the team’s poor recent record, Hope delivered a defiant response, urging his team to draw on the entirety of West Indies history, not just the recent struggles.
“Anytime you cross the line, you gotta believe that you can win. Let’s leave that in the past, because if we continue bringing up the past with certain things, then we would be defending champions, because we won the first two World Cups.
So it’s about learning from the past, and making sure that when you cross that
line for West Indies, regardless of what’s happening, you gotta believe that you can beat any opposition.”
Hope identified his team’s batting depth and “elite standard” of power-hitting as a key strength, but cautioned that big names on paper must translate into performances on the field.
He also outlined the need for a more nuanced batting approach, blending their traditional six-hitting prowess with the intelligent running exemplified by Bangladesh.
“They’re a very busy team,” Hope said of the hosts. “If you can mesh the two by running between the wickets and pushing those good balls and making ones into twos, I think we’re gonna be the same. You have to evolve with the cricket.”
Jones, Smith guide England to comfortable win in dead rubber
“I am happy to serve my country off the field as well.
I have played for the national team with some success and hopefully I can continue in the same manner off the field as well.
Morris, 43, said he was looking forward to his new role where he hoped to make a positive impact.
“We have spoken about creating a vibrant and robust youth programme and this we see as the feeder to our national ambition in becoming better,” he further added.
Morris has played 27 T20 Internationals and has taken 35 wickets at a credible average of 16.22 and an economy rate of 5.85.
New captain to lead Jamaica...
(From page 23)
squad is: Jermaine Blackwood, Marquino Mindley, Peat Salmon, Kirk McKenzie, Jordan Johnson, Abhijai Mansingh, Carlos Brown, Javelle Glen, Romaine Morris, Brad Barnes, Ojay Shields, Jeavor Royal, Tamarie Redwood, and Khari Campbell. Meanwhile, outgoing captain John Campbell is looking ahead to his international duties, fresh from scoring his maiden Test century against India. Campbell expressed his determination to build on that milestone as he continues his red-ball journey with the West Indies. The Jamaica Scorpions will be aiming to start their campaign strongly when the Super50 Cup bowls off next month across three venues in the twin-island republic.
ENGLAND secured a comfortable eight-wicket victory against New Zealand in what marked Sophie Devine's final ODI appearance, bowling the New Zealand out for just 168 before chasing down the target in under 30 overs.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, New Zealand struggled throughout their innings with only Georgia Plimmer (43 off 57 balls) and Amelia Kerr (35 off 43) providing any meaningful resistance. Devine, playing her farewell ODI, managed just 23 runs from
35 balls.
England's spinners were particularly effective, with the team bowling New Zealand out inside 39 overs. Linsey Smith was the pick of the bowlers with a three-wicket haul, while Nat Sciver-Brunt claimed 2-31 and Alice Capsey took 2-34.
England's run chase was anchored by a 75-run opening partnership between Tammy Beaumont and Amy Jones. After Beaumont departed for 40, Heather Knight contributed 33 off 40 balls to support Jones, who remained unbeaten on 86 runs to guide England home.
With both teams already knowing their fates before the game - England having secured their semi-final spot and New Zealand eliminated from contention - the match served as a dead rubber, though it offered England valuable momentum heading into their semi-final clash against South Africa on October 29.
For Devine, one of New Zealand's greatest ODI players with 159 matches, 4,279 runs, and 111 wickets to her name, it was a bittersweet end to an illustrious career in the 50-over format. (Cricbuzz)
new president of CICB
England beat New Zealand by eight wickets
Cubans dominate on opening night
By Sean Devers
TWO Cuban boxers brought their ‘A’ game and plenty of Spanish-speaking supporters when the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) Terrence Poole Memorial National Intermediate Boxing tournament was held on Saturday night at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Watched by a small but raucous gathering, which included Guyana’s Director of Sport and President of the
GBA, Steve Ninvalle, members of the Flying Stars Cycling Club and vocal Spanish-speaking fans, nine bouts were carded for the night.
The night’s best fight was the contest between Cuban Pugilist Li Kiam Amores, who faced off with Terron Wintz from the New Amsterdam Boxing Academy.
Fighting in the Elite 71kg, the Spanish fighter employed a crouching style and openly taunted the Berbician as the fighters traded punches, which Amores usu-
ally won.
The Cuban stayed flat-footed but caught his man with a left/right combination, a right hook to the head stunned Wintz, resulting in the referee administering a standing eight-count.
The two boxers went at each other, but Wintz seemed afraid of moving forward and survived the second stanza. In the final round, Amores hit Wintz with punches in bunches, staggering him with a crunching uppercut for another eight-count.
Countdown on for GSCL’s Unity Softball Cup
FLASHBACK: The victorious Rising Stars players pose with their winnings after capturing the women’s category at the One Guyana Unification Tournament (News Room picture)
WITH just under three weeks to go for the staging of the Georgetown Softball Cricket League (GSCL) Inc.’s Unity Softball Cup, the registration of several teams has already completed. However, the organisers have
disclosed that there is still room for other interested teams.
The date for the launching and draw will also be disclosed shortly.
Originally set for this month end, the GSCL, in a release, pointed out that the
three-day tournament will now be played on November 14-16. However, the women’s category, which will be played on a knockout basis, will commence on Thursday, November 13.
The GSCL Inc. apolo -
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Now, beginning to dance around the ring, Wintz was hit with a clinical body dig. Wintz tried to counterpunch but got caught with a stinging flurry of good shots, causing the referee to stop the fight in two minutes and 42 seconds of the final round.
The other Cuban was clinical in his destruction of Policeman Alonzo Benedict, gaining a TKO in the first round, as both Cubans advanced to Sunday night’s finals of the 75kg division.
In the two finals of the night, Imhotep Vanderstoop of (ALBG) stopped Ukesh Persaud (NABA) in the second round of their schoolboys (29-32kg).
In the Junior 52-56kg final, Ryan Rogers (FYF) beat Cort Mahase, while in the semi-final of the Youth 6264 kg, GDF’s Eon Bancroft beat Emmanuel Sandiford on points.
Police’s Osais Prince defeated GDF’s Malcolm by TKO in the first round of the 75kg semi-final.
In the 80kg semi-final, Chaka Stephens stopped P&P’s Kaiden Withers. In the 86kg division, Adrian Adams (ALBG) stopped Barth Ignacio (Police) in the third round in an almost comical exhibition in which Ignacio lost his gloves while engaged in a hectic punch out with Adams. In the night’s final bout, in another 86kg semi-final, Leon Murray beat Coby Lowenfield (Police) by TKO in two minutes and 10 seconds.
New captain to lead Jamaica Scorpions in CG United Super50 Cup
KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – The Jamaica Scorpions have unveiled a 14-man squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 Cup, blending seasoned internationals with exciting new talent as the team prepares to compete under a new captain.
The tournament, scheduled for November 19-29 in Trinidad and Tobago, will see the Scorpions take the field without their regular skipper, John Campbell.
Campbell has been granted leave to focus on the upcoming West Indies Test series in New Zealand, which begins on December 2.
This paves the way for a fresh leadership era, with the team’s new captain to be confirmed in the coming days.
Following a selection meeting within the last 72 hours, a recommendation
Jamaica Scorpions’ regular captain, John Campbell, has been granted leave
has been sent to the board for ratification.
Middle-order batsman, Brad Barnes, is understood to be the front-runner for the role, with young batsman Kirk McKenzie and experienced all-rounder Peat Salmon also considered strong candidates.
The squad features a core
of experienced players, including former West Indies vice-captain, Jermaine Blackwood, who will provide a steadying influence. They are joined by a promising crop of rising stars, including Kirk McKenzie, Jordan Johnson, and Abhijai Mansingh. The full 14-member
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GBA Terrence Poole Memorial National Intermediate Boxing
Cuban Li Kiam Amores lands a left uppercut to the chin of Berbician Terron Wintz (Sean Devers photos)
Eon Bancroft (left) hurts Emmanuel Sandiford on Saturday night
Osais Prince (right) watches as the Referee is about to halt his contest with GDF’s Malcolm Williams
Slingerz FC crowned Elite League champions for second time
THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) brought the curtains down on season 7 of their premier football tournament, the Elite League, in grand fashion, on Saturday.
Front runners Slingerz Football club, hoping for a huge win, had to settle for a goalless draw against the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)
but by virtue of their unbeaten season Slingerz collected their second Elite League Title with pomp and ceremony.
Slingerz have not just emerged league winners this season, they have dominated in emphatic fashion, crushing opposition teams with just 5 goals conceded, while scoring 105 goals, many of their
Hurricane Melissa forces rescheduling of Caribbean Cup clash
MIAMI, Florida, (CMC) – The path of Hurricane Melissa has forced a significant reshuffling of the 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup schedule, impacting two key playoff series.
Concacaf announced that the decisive second leg between Jamaica’s Mount Pleasant FA and Trinidad & Tobago’s Defence Force FC has been postponed due to the severe weather expected to impact Jamaica.
The match, originally set for this Thursday, October 30, at the National Stadium, will now be played on Wednesday, November 5, with a 6 p.m. ET kickoff.
The governing body stated the decision was made “to ensure the safety of all parties” following consultation with local authorities and in close coordination with the involved clubs.
This marks the second schedule change for the Caribbean Cup playoffs in as many days. The announcement follows the rescheduling of the entire two-legged series between O&M FC and Cibao FC.
Their matches will now be played on the vacated date of Thursday, October 30, and a week later on Thursday, November 6.
clashes seeing double digit score lines.
Slingerz finished their season with 16 wins and two draws.
The 2024 champions, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), was second on the points table more than 10 points adrift. They finished second place despite the draw after achieving
12 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses in 17 outings for season 7, prior to the final clash.
Slingerz Derron Niles, after a prolific season, was awarded the MVP for the competition after scoring a plethora of goals while proving solid for Slingerz in the mid field to guide them to their second title.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) clinched third place after taking a 4-1 victory over Den Amstel on Saturday.
The league featured 90 games over a 6-month period with winners of Season 7 Slingerz collecting $2M and being awarded an automatic qualifying spot at the CON-
CACAF/Caribbean Shield Championships.
The second placed team, GDF, collected $1,200,000, and GPF, Iin third place, $800,000
The league is sponsored by Guyana Beverage Inc. through their Turbo brand, BACIF, Blue Water Shipping and Namilco.
DCC beat GCC by seven wickets to lift GCA two-day first division title
By Sean Devers
MAN-of-the-Match Tevin Imlach led from the front to help Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) to lift the GISE, Star Party Rentals and Trophy Stall’s first division two-day title with a seven wicket win against Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in the final at the DCC Ground yesterday.
Scores GCC 262 and 210, DCC 337 and
137-3 (20.5 overs) Resuming on their overnight 198-4 in their second innings, with national captain Imlach on 61 and Guyana U-19 Skipper Van Lange on 26.
The DCC pair took the score to 265 before Yeudister Persaud dismissed Van Lange after the burly right-hander hit two fours and a six in 91-ball 65.
Imlach was last out for 107 from 187 balls with 10 boundaries but Christopher
Man-of-Match Tevin Imlach followed up his first innings century with an unbeaten 61 yesterday at DCC
Barnwell, whose three fours and a six in his 34 off the remaining batters reached double figures.
Left-arm spinner and GCC Captain Devon Lord had 3-100 and got support from Yeudister Persaud 2-32 and Ronaldo Ali-Mohamed 2-33.
Kevin Sinclair (35) and Ninvindra Persaud (34) provided a solid 70-run opening foundation before
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Slingerz FC crowned GFF Elite League champions for a second time
Elite League Season 7 MVP, Derron Niles
DCC celebrates championship title