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Nationwide coverage from the best news team in Guyana guyanatimesgy.com

Issue No. 6571

THE BEACON OF TRUTH WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

Guyana, Qatar step up talks on investment, energy, trade Page 3

PRICE $100 VAT INCLUDED

WHAT'S INSIDE:

Guyanese P5 warned against laid-back work culture while foreigners thrive

48-hour warning issued for removal of vehicles from parapets, road shoulders P19

…as Pres Ali meets Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani Social Housing Programme

Govt invites contractors to build 400-sq-ft 1-bedroom homes …extremely vulnerable households to get priority Page 10

Over 45 containers on residential lot trigger CH&PA crackdown Page 9

Region 5 officials challenged to think big for 2027 P18 Budget …urged to take fresh look at region’s needs

16 vehicle fitness certificates P13 revoked in illegal light crackdown

GtE Project

No formal request from Lindsayca for additional financing – PM …as GPL targets June 2027 for full 300MW on national grid Page 7

Global grain P5 slump triggers lower paddy prices locally – Agri Minister

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

BRIDGE OPENING

BRIDGE OPENINGS

The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:

Guyana, Qatar step up talks on investment, energy, trade …as Pres Ali meets Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani

Wednesday, September 9 – 15:25h–16:55h and Thursday, September 10 – 16:05h–17:35h.

FERRY SCHEDULE

Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.

WEATHER TODAY Sunny skies are expected during the day, followed by clear skies at night. Temperatures are expected to range between 24 degrees Celsius and 31 degrees Celsius. Winds: East-North-Easterly to East-SouthEasterly between 1.78 metres and 4.91 metres. High Tide: 15:33h reaching a maximum height of 2.54 metres. Low Tide: 09:06h and 21:24h reaching minimum heights of 0.64 metre.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2026

LOTTERY NUMBERS M

13 18

20 22 24

FREE TICKET TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2026

2 Bonus Ball

DAILY MILLIONS

13 14 22

LUCKY 3

Afternoon Draw

Evening Draw

DRAW DE LINE

12 19 21

SUPER

PAY DAY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2026

13 15 16 1

10 13 16 20

4 Afternoon Draw

2X Afternoon Draw

8 Evening Draw

2X Evening Draw

9554

DISCLAIMER: WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS IN PUBLICATION. PLEASE CALL THE HOTLINE FOR CONFIRMATION - TEL: 225-8902

COMMODITIES Indicators Crude Oil

US$ $99.40/barrel

Change % +1.53

Rough Rice

$288.36/ton

London Sugar

$518.80/ton

+0.56 -1.37

Live Spot Gold

USD Per Ounce

Low/High

$4364.20 $4380.30

$4366.20 $4443.90

Change

+10.40

+0.23%

Bid/Ask

President Dr Irfaan Ali meeting with Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Tuesday at the Amiri Diwan during Ali’s three-day state visit to Qatar

resident Dr Irfaan Ali and Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, on Tuesday held official talks in Doha focused on strengthening relations and expanding cooperation between the two countries, particularly in investment and other areas of mutual interest. The meeting was held at the Amiri Diwan during Ali’s three-day state visit to Qatar. According to information shared by the President on his social media page, Sheikh Tamim welcomed Ali and the Guyanese delegation and expressed hope that the visit would contribute to broadening opportunities for joint cooperation and further development of relations between Guyana and Qatar. Ali thanked the Amir for the reception and hospitality and reaffirmed Guyana’s interest in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing cooperation between the two countries. During the official talks, the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen and develop cooperation, particularly in the investment sector. The leaders also exchanged views on current issues and developments and other matters of mutual interest. The discussions follow a series of high-level meetings Ali held with Qatari officials on Monday as Guyana seeks to deepen its economic and investment relationships with Qatar. Ali met Qatar’s Commerce and Industry Minister Sheikh Faisal bin Thani Al Thani to discuss opportunities for collaboration in food security, mining, digitisation and infrastructure. The discussions also examined ways to strengthen partnerships between the Private Sectors of Guyana and Qatar. The President also met Qatar’s Minister of Awqaf (Endowments) and Islamic Affairs, Ghanem bin Shaheen Bin Ghanem Al Ghanem, with discussions focusing on education, culture, and heritage. Climate and environmental issues were addressed during Ali’s meeting with Qatar’s Environment and Climate Change Minister,

Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie. According to Ali, the discussions included climate change, global biodiversity and potential partnerships involving carbon credits. Financial cooperation was also on the agenda during a meeting with Qatar’s Finance Minister, Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari. The two discussed poten-

tial collaboration between the Qatar Development Bank and the Guyana Development Bank, as well as the investment fund and other investment opportunities. Energy was another area of focus, with Ali meeting Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, to explore potential cooperation in the energy sector. Shortly after arriving in Doha on Sunday, Ali also met Mohammed Saif al-Sowaidi, Chief Executive Officer of the

for a 30-acre site and is expected to include a luxury hotel, commercial spaces, residential units, sports facilities, and public green spaces. Ali arrived in Qatar on Sunday accompanied by First Lady Arya Ali and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd. They were welcomed at Hamad International Airport by Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi, and

Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar’s state-owned sovereign wealth fund. According to the Office of the President, QIA is pursuing a US$350 million hospitality and real estate development in Georgetown and is examining other investment opportunities in Guyana. The project, signed in August 2025, is planned

Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Ahmad Shadood. Ali also received a Guard of Honour. The current visit follows an official telephone call between Ali and Sheikh Tamim in April, during which the two leaders discussed opportunities in investment, food security, energy security and technology. TURN TO PAGE 7

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

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Views Editor: Tusika Martin News Hotline: 231-8063 Editorial: 231-0544, 223-7230, 223-7231, 225-7761 Marketing: 231-8064 Accounts: 225-6707 Mailing address: Queens Atlantic Industrial Estate Industrial Site, Ruimveldt, Georgetown Email: news@guyanatimesgy.com, marketing@guyanatimesgy.com

Laid-back approach & serious consideration

uyana’s rapidly expanding economy is creating opportunities across multiple sectors, but the ability to take full advantage of those opportunities will depend on the attitude, skills and work ethic of the population. Concerns raised by Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation Minister Zulfikar Ally and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat about a laid-back approach to work therefore deserve serious consideration. The Ministers’ comments should not be interpreted as a condemnation of Guyanese workers generally. Guyana has a long history of producing hard-working, resourceful and resilient people, both at home and abroad. The success of Guyanese immigrants in North America, Europe, the Caribbean and elsewhere is itself evidence of the capacity of Guyanese people to adapt, compete and succeed in demanding environments. The central question is why that same determination cannot consistently be applied at home. Minister Ally’s observation that Guyanese abroad have built successful lives through hard work is particularly relevant. Many who leave Guyana enter unfamiliar environments, accept entrylevel employment, acquire new skills, and gradually improve their circumstances. That experience demonstrates that the capacity for discipline, perseverance, and ambition already exists. Guyana’s current economic transformation presents an opportunity to bring that same culture of hard work, punctuality, accountability, and continuous improvement into the domestic workplace. Foreign nationals coming to Guyana in search of economic opportunities are competing in an increasingly active labour market. Many arrive prepared to work long hours, acquire skills and take opportunities that are available. Such competition should serve as an incentive for Guyanese workers and businesses to raise standards and become more competitive. At the same time, concerns about local workers must be balanced with the responsibility of employers and policymakers to create fair conditions. Minister Bharrat’s warning about the perception that oil wealth eliminates the need to work also warrants attention. The discovery of petroleum resources has significantly changed Guyana’s economic prospects, but natural resources cannot substitute for individual productivity and national capacity. Oil revenues can finance development, infrastructure, education and social programmes, but sustainable prosperity requires a productive population capable of creating value across the economy. Cash grants and other forms of Government assistance have an important role in supporting vulnerable citizens and providing temporary relief. However, social assistance should complement economic activity rather than become a substitute for employment, entrepreneurship, training or productive participation. A growing economy requires citizens who see themselves not merely as beneficiaries of development, but as participants in it. The message from Attorney General Anil Nandlall is equally important, as qualifications, certification and skills development are becoming increasingly necessary as Guyana’s economy becomes more sophisticated. This places a responsibility on individuals to pursue education, technical training, certification and professional development. Employers, educational institutions and Government must likewise ensure that training opportunities correspond with the needs of the economy. Improving Guyana’s work culture will not happen through criticism or political rhetoric alone, as it requires a sustained national effort to promote punctuality, professionalism, accountability, productivity and respect for excellence. There is also a need to change the perception that hard work is merely about working longer hours. A modern work ethic includes reliability, initiative, problem-solving, learning new skills, respecting deadlines and taking responsibility for results. These qualities are increasingly important in an economy where Guyanese workers are competing not only among themselves but also with a global labour force. Guyana has resources, investment and expanding opportunities, but those advantages will have limited impact if human capacity does not advance alongside them. The appropriate response to the Ministers’ concerns, therefore, is reflection. Guyanese have already demonstrated, in communities across the world, the ability to work hard and succeed. The challenge is to cultivate that same culture at home.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali attend a celebration marking Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary, hosted by Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, Safraaz Shadood, and the Guyana Embassy in Doha. Held under the theme “Building Guyana’s Global Brand”, the event also featured the launch of the Guyanese UMAMI product line in the Qatari market (President Dr Irfaan Ali/Facebook)

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyanese warned against laid-back work culture while foreigners thrive P

ublic Service, G o v e r n m e n t Efficiency, and Implementation Minister Zulfikar Ally and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat have raised concerns about the laid-back approach to work in some Guyanese, warning that it could undermine productivity and allow foreign workers to capitalise on opportunities in the local labour market. They made these remarks during the commissioning of a Government Service Centre in Bartica, Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni), last week. Ally highlighted Guyanese living abroad as immigrants who have worked hard to achieve considerable success, stressing that the same strong work ethic should be embraced and replicated at home. In fact, he pointed out that the immigrants currently working in Guyana demonstrate that same work ethic, which could potential-

ly undermine the growth of locals if they embrace a laidback approach to work. “You know, many of you here probably have relatives who are living overseas in North America or in Europe or in the Caribbean, and when they go there, they are known as the immigrants of those countries, and the citizens of those countries, they look at those immigrants. They look at how hard they work, they look at how they moved from starting life with a couple hundred dollars and living in a basement towards working their way up; buying cars, buying homes, sending their kids to college, paying for their kids to go to college and being successful. And those citizens watch that, and then sometimes they look at themselves, and they said “how am I not making it?”. We can’t have that in the reverse in Guyana because we already know that if we go anywhere else, we have the capacity, we have the will, and we certainly have the

talent to work hard, and we just have to replicate that right here. We can’t sit here and watch other immigrants now coming into Guyana, working hard, and we’re happy that they’re working and they’re building a life for themselves, but as Guyanese, we have to get up and work too,” Minister Ally asserted. Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister Bharrat, who contended that “there’s a growing trend in the country that people are often misled by elements in the political sphere that because Guyana is now producing oil that we no longer need to work, that we can sit at home and we’re a rich country and we can collect cash grants.” According to the Natural Resources Minister, that is a wrong perception and approach for Guyanese to embrace. In fact, he referred to a local publication which expressed that Guyanese “are starving” in an oil-rich coun-

try, but argued that “you will starve anywhere in the world if you don’t work.” “That is the bottom line… or if you’re not a part of the development that is taking place or if you don’t get on the train of development or if you prefer to sit idly at the side and to blame everything on the President and the PPP/Civic Government,” Bharrat posited.

Seize opportunities

He lamented that some citizens opt to just complain rather than seize opportunities to enhance their lives. “If the rain fall too hard, Irfaan Ali get blame for it. Now the sun shining; believe me, he gonna get blame for it too. If a man get knock down on the road because he drunk or he ain’t watching where he going, the President get blame too. We got to step out of that, we got to step out of that mindset, and we gotto get on board on what is happening in Guyana because if you don’t join the ship

Global grain slump triggers lower paddy prices locally – Agri Minister

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha

griculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha had remarked that lower grain prices on the world market have affected the prices being received for paddy locally. Mustapha reiterated the point on Saturday while addressing farmers and residents at Shieldstown, Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), where he outlined several developments and interventions in the agriculture sector. He reminded those at the meeting that it was as a result of lowering prices globally that prompted the Government to provide almost $2.7 billion in support to rice farmers in Guyana. “Because of the low price for grains on the world market, our prices for rice and paddy have been influ-

enced by the world market price,” Mustapha told the gathering. He said President Dr Irfaan Ali subsequently met with rice farmers in April, and an intervention was developed to provide financial support to producers. “The President met with the rice farmers in April of this year, and we came up with a solution,” the Agriculture Minister said. Mustapha said almost $2.7 billion was eventually provided to rice farmers under the intervention. “Almost $2.7 billion was given to the rice farmers in this country,” he said. While international market prices have presented challenges for the industry, Mustapha pointed to increased production

in recent years. According to the Minister, rice production moved from approximately 500,000 tonnes in 2020 to 825,000 tonnes last year. “We have seen rice production increase from 500,000 tonnes in 2020 to 825,000 tonnes last year, and I am hoping that that will increase this year,” Mustapha said. He also pointed to the level of Government spending on agriculture, saying investment in the sector has increased significantly over the past six years. “We’ve seen the investment over the years,

from $18 billion in 2020 to $106 billion in 2026,” the Minister said. Mustapha used the figures to underscore what he described as the continued expansion of Guyana’s agriculture sector and the level of support being provided to producers. The Agriculture Minister said the Government has introduced several forms of assistance across the sector in recent years, with the intervention for rice farmers being aimed at cushioning producers from the effects of lower international grain prices.

now, believe me, you’re gonna be left behind; you will be left behind if you don’t get onboard now,” Minister Bharrat expressed. He also warned Guyanese of their laidback attitude to work in the wake of the growing number of immigrants coming to Guyana in search of a better life. “We see so many foreigners coming to our country, and they’re doing well. Why? Because they are working, because they don’t wait on cash grant and this cash grant mentality that some people are allowing to overcome them. The President did make a commitment, openly, that we will continue to give out direct payments to people… but it should not replace your regular economic activity or your income. Rather, it should supplement what you’re already doing; it should be an addition to your salary, or an addition to your business or whatever you’re doing. But yet we have some people who will sit by idly and say, ‘When y’all paying the cash grant?’ and when we announce a $100,000 cash grant, ‘Oh, it

shudda been $200,000’ and if we raise to $200,000, ‘it shudda been $500,000,’” he contended. Just a few weeks ago, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall urged Guyanese to seize opportunities to gain the qualifications and certifications needed to compete in the country’s evolving economy, noting that they are increasingly competing with skilled and disciplined foreign workers for jobs. “The Government of Guyana has a primary and principal duty to ensure that you are accorded all the priorities and the first preferences, that we have no apologies for saying that; that is your birth-right, but my dear brothers and sisters, you have to also help yourselves, you have to qualify yourselves, you have to be certified,” he had asserted. Nandlall also posited that “the last thing we want is for this country to be dominated by foreigners, and that is why we’re going to put regulatory framework in place,” but he cautioned that it is a free economy.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 00:00 Sign Off 06:00 Islam for Guyana 06:30 TVG Devotional Hour 07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 HGTV 09:00 Stop Suffering 10:00 Food Network 12:00 Movie - Garage Sale Mystery: The Novel Murders (2013) 13:30 Movie - Cloud 9 (2014) 15:00 Cartoons 16:00 Indian Soaps 17:00 The Young & The Restless 18:00 Documentary: Nat Geo Animals 19:00 The Evening News 20:00 Stop Suffering 20:30 Movie - Matching Hearts (2020) 22:00 Movie - Fatherhood (2021)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

Foundation ◄

Page

guyanatimesgy.com

Remember, in order to calculate the area of a shape with a formula: 1) Write down the formula for the area of the shape. 2) Identify the dimensions required for the formula. 3) Substitute the dimensions and calculate. 4) Write down your final answer with units squared.

4. Write down your final answer with units squared. In this case, we are working with meters, so our final answer must be in square meters. Area =28 m2

By Wendy Videlock

Just so you know, close to the chest is close

Example 1: area of a rectangle

Example 2: area of a triangle

Find the area of this rectangle below:

Find the area of the right triangle below:

to the bone. Just so you know there’s not much growth in your comfort zone. Just so you know

the pen is no mightier than the soul. Just so you know the guard at your heart keeps the song at bay. Just so you know the wind carries your words 1. Write down the formula for the area of the shape. Rectangle:

Area = base × height

2. Identify the dimensions required for the formula. Base =7 m

Triangle

away. Just so you know your bliss is the sister

Area = 1 × base × height 2

to your pain. Just so you know the volta

Base = 8cm

isn’t just for poems and a polished stone

Height =6 cm

Height =4 m 3. Substitute the dimensions and calculate. Area = base × height =7×4=28

Area = 12 × base × height= 12 ×8×6 =24

can cast a spell. Just so you know there’s no one for whom all is well. Just so you know the lotus is married to the mud. Just so

you know to listen deeply is to love.

n this fun and easy force and motion science experiment for kids, we’re going to explore inertia by creating a magic napkin.

Materials:

•Napkin •Plastic cup full of water

Instructions:

1. Drape the napkin over the edge of a table. 2. Place the plastic cup of water on the napkin and about one inch from the edge of the table. 3. Quickly jerk the napkin out from under the plas-

tic cup of water.

How it works:

Inertia explains that an object at rest will tend to stay at rest. Although we yanked the napkin out from under the cup of water, the cup wanted to stay at rest and did not move.

Just so you know, everything is an inside job. Make this a science project:

Try different-sized items. Try different weights of items. (sciencefun.org)

(Source: Poetry [September 2026])

Set your poem in an empty school. WORD SEARCH

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GtE Project

No formal request from Lindsayca for additional financing – PM

rime Minister (PM) Mark Phillips, who is currently performing the functions of President, said on Tuesday that he is unaware of any formal request by Lindsayca Guyana Inc for additional financing for the Gas-to-Energy (GtE) project at Wales, West Bank Demerara (WBD). In a brief interview with this publication, PM Phillips said no such request was made to his office, which is responsible for the energy sector. He emphasised that should Lindsayca submit such a request and it is approved by the Government of Guyana, the decision will be communicated to the public. A local media house had reported that the United States-based engineering firm has requested US$170M in additional financing from the Guyana

Prime Minister Mark Phillips along with Head of the Gas-to-Energy Taskforce Winston Brassington during the site visit on Tuesday

Government to complete the project. PM Phillips said he was unsure of the source of the information reported by the media entity. Lindsayca is current-

ly constructing the US$759 million GtE project, which comprises a 300-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant and a Natural Gas Liquids (NGL) facility. PM Phillips, along with

Guyana, Qatar step up...

FROM PAGE 3

During those discussions, Ali positioned Guyana as an important destination for Qatar based on its geographic and market position, while the Amir expressed Qatar’s interest in expanding cooperation in investment, human capital development, technology, food security and critical infrastructure. Guyana has also been promoting itself as a strategic logistics and storage hub in the Western Hemisphere. The President’s latest visit builds on his previous visit to Doha in May 2023, when he held meetings with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed Al Kuwari. During that visit, Ali also met

members of the Guyanese diaspora in Qatar and outlined Guyana’s development plans, including its focus on climate, energy, and food security, and its ambitions to position the country as a provider of education and health services. At the time, Ali also pointed to potential Qatari Private Sector involvement in hospitality, ecotourism, energy services and infrastructure. During Tuesday’s official programme, Sheikh Tamim hosted a luncheon in honour of Ali and the accompanying delegation following the bilateral engagements. The Qatari delegation at the official talks included Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Minister of

State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi and Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, along with other Ministers and senior officials. Guyana’s delegation included Todd, Ambassador Shadood, Director of Presidential Affairs Marcia Mezan Sharma and George Andrew Hallaq, among other members of the official delegation. Guyana and Qatar established diplomatic relations in 1996, with bilateral ties expanding in recent years through high-level engagements, agreements on economic and technical cooperation, the opening of diplomatic offices and increased Qatari commercial interest in Guyana.

other officials, on Tuesday conducted a site visit where they gained a first-hand update on the progress being made. He told this publication, following the visit, that the project remains on track to deliver power by yearend. Last month, the PM told a news conference that the project is expected to deliver 57MW of power by the end of this year, while the remainder will come onstream next year. “At least one of the turbines will be spinning and generating 57MW in the first quarter of 2027,” PM Phillips had noted. The power generation component will utilise four SGT-800 gas turbines paired with heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) and steam turbines oper-

ating in a combined-cycle configuration to produce a generation capacity of approximately 300MW. While the gas turbines are slated to all come online by midnext year, the full 300MW capacity will be reached by the end of 2027 once the final combined-cycle configuration is completed. The system has been engineered with builtin redundancy, allowing individual turbines to operate independently and be phased onto the national grid, which will ensure continuous and reliable power supply as well as a 50 per cent reduction in electricity costs. According to PM Phillips, Guyanese will start benefitting from this reduction in electricity prices once the project is fully online.

Currently, customers are receiving power from the national grid at $43.43 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential use and $56.38 per kWh for commercial use. The first phase of the GtE Project will only utilise 40 per cent of the 250-kilometre of 12-inch pipeline’s capacity, bringing 50 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of dry gas onshore. With the pipelines having the capacity to push as much as 120 mmscfd of gas, the Government has moved ahead with Phase Two to utilise the remaining 60 per cent capacity of the pipeline, which will see an additional 75 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of rich gas brought onshore for the second power plant and NGL facility right at the Wales location.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Threat… A

… from the top??

s you would know, Dear Readers, your Eyewitness never fails to be struck by the ironies in our local politics – some of them so spectacular they could’ve only been written by a Guyanese comedic genius!! The latest was to hear Special Branch head Senior Superintendent Prem Narine testify to the courts that Sanction Man’s a threat to national security!! Yep!! The same fella who’s the LOO and wants to become President of Guyana!! Now, this would explain why it was the Special Branch and not the CID charged with dealing with Sanction Man’s matter, since they are responsible for gathering and assessing intelligence relating to national security – including threats to public safety, organised crime, and other matters that could affect the security of the state!! Narine said he had the info to back up his assertion – but of course we can’t expect him to broadcast these willy-nilly!! But we have enough in the public sphere to appreciate where Narine’s coming from!! Back in 2023, Reuters ran an extensive special report on Sanction Man and his Daady’s involvement in gold and cocaine smuggling from Venezuela’s Roraima state, involving all sorts of gangs and shady characters in the Venezuelan military!! There have been all sorts of reports by several organisations of the cross-border runnings!! These are national security issues – even without the periodic shootings of our soldiers from across the Venezuelan border. Exxon soon “shock out” Sanction man from Shore Base, and the OFAC sanctions followed on charges of gold smuggling, corruption, money laundering, and narcotics!! So back to the irony where we could possibly have the following scenario if the LOO becomes President: “Mr President, we have identified a serious threat to national security.” “Excellent. Where is he?” “Uh… in your office, sir.” So that’s the amazing contradiction now confronting voters – the man seeking the authority to command our country’s security apparatus is being described by the head of that very apparatus as a security threat!! Of course, Sanction Man’s entitled to the presumption of innocence (of which he’s fighting tooth and nail to avoid testing in the American courts) which can’t be accused of bias, as he’s done with the Guyanese courts!! That fact alone says it all!! We’re entering an era in which our oil wealth, geographical position, and proximity to Venezuela make national security increasingly important!! The ultimate irony, therefore, takes your Eyewitness’s breath away – our country becoming richer and more strategically important, just when some consider putting our security establishment under the command of a man our own Intelligence Chief says threatens national security!! In most countries, the security services protect the President – here, voters are gonna be deciding whether the security services need protection from the President!!

…America-Canada war break After two hundred years insisting they were the best of friends, the US and Canada seem to’ve decided the relationship needed some tough love – tariffs!! Maybe the breakup was inevitable since all friendships have limits, especially when one friend starts sending the other bills for what the other assumed were a “good neighbour” benefit!! It started with Washington complaining that Ottawa was taking advantage of America’s preferential trade agreement and imposing tariffs!! Ottawa replied that Washington was behaving like the neighbour who borrows your lawnmower and then charges you a fee for getting it back and just started imposing its own tariffs!! With economists clearly not in the room, marriage counsellors are gonna have to advise both sides to “communicate” – and not through customs duties!! The saddest part is Canada and the US demonstrated for generations that borders between friendly countries can become almost invisible. Now they’re busy proving that tariffs can make them very visible indeed!! No true friendship can exist between unequals! …from Jamaica Jamaica’s always been the feistiest of the British West Indian colonies. They scuttled the WI Federation when they withdrew – and now they’re petitioning the Privy Council for Reparations for slavery. Guyana’s getting a squeeze in – since Burnham’s daughter Ulele’s filing for Jamaica!! The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

Readers are invited to send their comments by email to eye@guyanatimesgy.com

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Over 45 containers on residential lot trigger CH&PA crackdown

The storage containers on the residential lot at Herstelling, EBD

he Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) has launched enforcement action against the unauthorised storage of over 45 shipping containers on a residential lot at Parcel 1614, Plot B, Herstelling, East Bank Demerara. Officers from the CH&PA’s Enforcement Department inspected the property over the weekend and found the containers being stored on the lot. No one was present at the time of the inspection. According to the Authority, the activity is

unauthorised and contrary to the approved use of the property, which is designated for single-family residential purposes. CH&PA also raised safety concerns over the manner in which the containers have been stacked, noting the potential risk to persons in the surrounding area. As a result, the Authority served a Notice of Contravention directing that all storage activities cease immediately and that the containers be removed within this week. The CH&PA has reminded property owners

and occupiers that any development or change in land use must comply with planning requirements and receive the necessary approvals. The authority said it will continue to monitor housing schemes and take enforcement action against unauthorised developments and activities that contravene planning regulations or the approved use of residential lands. It said the enforcement measures are intended to protect residential communities and promote orderly development.

10 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Social Housing Programme

Govt invites contractors to build 400-sq-ft 1-bedroom homes …extremely vulnerable households to get priority they fall in the category of "extremely vulnerable" to benefit from the social housing programme. Moreover, the Minister noted that while contractors are encouraged to submit EOIs, the invitation presents an opportunity for companies specialising in prefab/modular homes since those guarantee expediency. The locations for the

Housing Minister Collin Croal

he Housing Ministry, through the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA), on Monday issued an invitation for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for the construction of 400-square-foot houses under the Social Housing Programme announced by President Dr Irfaan Ali to support vulnerable groups across Guyana. Under this programme, the Government intends to support the construction and delivery of adequate, safe and affordable housing units to extremely vulnerable and economically disadvantaged households that may otherwise be unable to access housing through conventional means. The houses are intended to be flat, one-bedroom units equipped with a toilet and bath, ceiling, tiles, and a basic kitchen cupboard, among other necessities. Among other things, eligible contractors must present a list of available equipment, a statement on proposed financing, evidence of financial capacity, construction drawings showing site layout plans, work programmes, and a list of qualified and experienced personnel. Applying contractors will also be required to submit statements indicating the type of construction materials, construction methodology and construction techniques, and in cases where foreign materials, methodology and techniques are an option,

then all associated specifications must be submitted. The EOIs must be submitted before 15:00h on September 21. In July, President Dr Irfaan Ali announced that the Government will be embarking on the Social Housing Programme, targeting 5000 beneficiaries. “Single mothers – and not only single mothers, but single mothers who are facing specific economic challenges; people living with disabilities; the elderly, and we’re going to have a social housing programme to support [them towards] homeownership,” the Head of State had said. The President had noted that there will be strict criteria to determine eligible persons to benefit from this programme. Criteria to ID vulnerability Meanwhile, expanding on the initiative during an interview with this publication on Monday, Housing Minister Collin Croal explained that authorities are in the process of developing the criteria to identify extreme cases of vulnerability in order to select beneficiaries. He added that regional committees will be established to help identify such cases, while others will be drawn from persons who applied for housing support under the Men on Mission (MOM) initiative. Additionally, systems will be put in place for persons to apply. Croal stressed that each applicant will be thoroughly investigated to ensure

construction of these houses will vary based on each beneficiary, he added. While he could not say exactly how many houses will be developed in the first phase of the initiative, he said the total target of 5000 homes forms part of the Government's commitment to deliver 40,000 houses by the end of its second term in office. Already, the Guyana

Government has been building out several low-income turnkey houses across the country for Guyanese on the lower end of the earning bracket. Additionally, the Government has also embarked on a $6 billion Homestead Project, which will see 500 homes constructed at Yarrowkabra on the Linden-Soesdyke Highway paired with shade houses.

Officially launched back in January, the Hyde Park Project is designed for single mothers, allowing them to grow crops for both household use and earning. This is one of the many initiatives that the Ali-led Administration has rolled out since 2020 to not just support vulnerable families but also encourage homeownership among Guyanese.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

16 vehicle fitness certificates revoked in illegal light crackdown

he Guyana Police Force (GPF) has revoked the fitness certificates of 16 motor vehicles following a traffic enforcement exercise in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) aimed at addressing the illegal use of coloured lights and other lighting devices on vehicles. The White Light Campaign was conducted on Friday by ranks of Regional Police Division Two. During the exercise, several motor vehicles were stopped and inspected, and Police found a number of vehicles to be non-compliant with the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act, Chapter 51:02, particularly in relation to the illegal use of coloured lights. As a result, 16 motor vehicle fitness certificates were revoked. Police also recorded 14 traffic violations during the exercise; 11 tickets and three summonses were issued, but no arrests were made. The campaign followed repeated complaints from residents about the use of coloured lights and other lighting devices, which Police said pose safety risks to road

One of the vehicles that was stopped by Police during the White Light Campaign in Region Two

users, particularly at night. The GPF said it remains committed to enforcing traffic laws, improving road safety and responding to concerns raised by communities across the country.

14 NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

GPL targets June 2027 for full 300MW GtE power on national grid

he Guyana Power and Light Inc (GPL) is expecting power generation from the highly anticipated Gas-to-Energy (GtE) Project by mid-June 2027, as the utility company continues preparations to integrate an additional 300 megawatts (MW) of electricity into the national grid. Over the past few years, GPL has been investing heavily in upgrading existing infrastructure and installing new infrastructure in preparation for the operationalisation of the GtE Project, which is slated to deliver some 300 MW of electricity to the national grid. During a recent press briefing on Monday, GPL Chief Executive Officer Kesh Nandlall announced, in response to questions from reporters, that the company ex-

Head of GPL Kesh Nandlall

pects to commence full power generation under the Gas-toEnergy Project by mid-June 2027. “Based on information that I have, the first power is expected to be available at the end of the year, which is one turbine. Then there will be gradual increases, and there should be full power by mid-

June 2027. That is what I would say,” Nandlall said. More than US$720 million has already been invested to build out new infrastructure to facilitate the distribution of power from the GtE Project, located at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD), onto the national grid. These investments include the installation of new high-capacity transmission lines, as well as the construction of several new substations and the upgrading of existing ones. During the recent nationwide power outage, it was disclosed that the power ships experienced intermittent interruptions, with the vessels going on and off due to various issues, including the strain caused by high demand for electricity. TURN TO PAGE 18

Ramsammy’s Ruminations

President Irfaan Ali’s transformative success story driving more challenges

uyana’s major challenge today is a “paradox of performance”. President Irfaan Ali and his Government have steered Guyana onto a path of remarkable transformation. This, naturally, has created expectations which have outpaced the capacity of the country to meet. While acknowledging progress, citizens are not in the mood for the inconvenience caused by rapid growth. The World Bank, the IMF, the IDB, and other credible sources Dr Leslie Ramsammy have documented the rapid transformation taking place in Guyana. The President Irfaan Ali-led Government has been the steward of one of the most remarkable country-wide development and transformation stories in the last 50 years anywhere in the world. Not only has Guyana’s GDP been the fastest-growing economy in the world in the last five years, but the country’s physical infrastructure and social development have been totally transformed. Take, for instance, vehicle ownership. Guyana is presently importing more than 10,000 vehicles every eight weeks. Vehicle ownership in Guyana is commonplace, no longer just a luxury enjoyed by a few families. Vehicle ownership shows economic and social growth because people buy cars, trucks, and motorbikes when they earn more money and improve their daily lives. Guyana is a great example of this correlation. Another good indicator of a country’s rapid economic and social development is home ownership. In Guyana, the average age of home ownership has shifted dramatically. In the 1990s, few could have afforded their own homes, and the average age of the few who became new owners was more than 50 years old. In 2025, the average age of new homeowners changed to the twenties. Mortgage for new homes totalled about $90 billion in 2021. In 2025, the total mortgage for new homes significantly increased to over $200 billion. Successes like these have led to rising expectations in the country. Citizens expect more; they have become impatient, and the more successful President Irfaan Ali and his Government are, the more the expectations and the demands from the citizens. But for the Government to keep pace with people’s expectations, there are challenges outside of the control of Governments. This is called the “paradox of performance”. Some say the Government is paying a terrible price for success. Instead of praise for driving rapid development, the Government earns criticism. For example, the Government is transforming the transportation infrastructure. New highways, bridges and an interconnected transportation network are changing how Guyana looks. Every street in every community is being upgraded. One would think that such rapid transformation will earn President Irfaan Ali and his Government universal and unconditional praise. But, while acknowledging progress, citizens blame the Government for traffic jams caused by a combination of more vehicles on the road and by more and more construction to upgrade highways, roads and bridges. It is the “paradox of performance”; the more the Government does, the more people’s demands grow. Expectations for improved roads and more bridges are natural, but the inconvenience of too many vehicles on the road and traffic disturbances caused by construction make citizens angry. Expectations do not consider a country’s capacity. Do we have enough qualified contractors? Do we have enough labour? These are real constraints. Citizens are not in the mood to accept excuses. They want more and rapid development but will not accept that expectations are matched with genuine constraints. This is exactly where Guyana is at this time. Important infrastructural projects almost routinely exceed construction deadlines because an ambitious pace of development confronts constraints amidst unrealistic expectations. Take the electricity paradox. More homes, more businesses, more modernisation, and a blazing pace of development demand more electricity. In 2021, peak demand was 145 MW. In 2026, peak demand has risen beyond 234 MW. From less than 100 GWhs in the 1990s, Guyana’s electricity generation in 2026 is about 2000 GWhs and is expected to grow to about 11,000 GWhs by 2030. This growth is driven by expanding industrial and commercial activities. But even as the Government increases generation, the distribution system cannot keep pace. The success in increasing generation, therefore, has been masked by frustration among citizens as generation capacity fails to keep up with citizens’ expectations. In a few months, with the gas-to-energy project coming on stream, a significant increase in generation will be achieved, and this will dramatically reduce electricity costs in the country by 50 per cent. Yet, increased generation does not guarantee that blackouts will not occur. It will take time to fully develop the distribution system and to develop an efficient staff to maintain the grid. We see the same impatience with housing. In 2026, it is expected that the Government will distribute in excess of 15,000 new house lots. Let the enormity of this achievement sink in for a minute. Between 2015 and 2020, far fewer than 1000 house lots were distributed. In addition, it is expected that 40,000 new homes would be constructed in 2026. But the application for house lots, far from diminishing, is increasing every year. People are no longer waiting. The average age of the applicants is 23. It is expected that in 2026 there will be almost 100,000 new applicants for house lots. Clearly, a large number of applicants will experience a long waiting period. Far from acknowledging the great achievement in housing by the President Ali-led Government, those who must wait for their house lots blame the Government. This is yet another example of the “paradox of performance”. President Irfaan Ali and his Government’s toughest challenge today is their own development success. A new highway produces more development and, therefore, more traffic; higher incomes create more demand for better healthcare and more education; housing expansion requires utilities and drainage; and new businesses need more skilled workers. A successful development agenda does not necessarily increase political goodwill. Often it engenders greater expectation and more criticism. The views expressed in this column are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Guyana Times’ editorial policy and stance

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026| GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

18 NEWS Region 5 officials challenged to think big for 2027 Budget WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

…urged to take fresh look at region’s needs

GPL targets June 2027 for...

FROM PAGE 14

ocal Government and Regional D e v e l o p m e n t Minister Priya Manickchand has challenged Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) officials to take a fresh look at the region’s needs and use the 2027 Budget process to identify bold investments capable of bringing meaningful improvements to communities and residents’ daily lives. Manickchand, alongside Permanent Secretary Miguel Choo-Kang, met with the Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Five, Mary Samaroo, to discuss areas of consideration in the development of the regional budget and priorities ahead of the new year.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Priya Manickchand meeting with REO of Region 5, Mary Samaroo and other officials on Tuesday

During the engagement, Manickchand urged the REO to look at her region with new eyes and to think critically about what can be changed, improved and introduced to make a meaningful difference in communities. She, along with other officials, was urged to use the budget process as an opportunity to think boldly about the needs of residents and identify investments that can transform communities and improve the everyday lives of the people they serve. The meeting served as the first of a series of engagements Manickchand will hold with REOs across all 10 Administrative Regions.

The situation was further compounded by the failure of a transformer, which contributed to the widespread disruption. Meanwhile, Nandlall provided an update on the current status of electricity being supplied by the power ships, while also outlining plans for additional generation capacity expected to come on stream soon to help meet the growing demand for electricity across the country. Guyana currently relies on two floating power ships from Turkish company Karpowership to supply electricity to the national grid. “We are getting a capacity of 36MW for Berbice, and we are getting 70MW from the Demerara River. By Wednesday, we are getting an additional five MW, so there will soon be full capacity on our power ships,” Nandlall said. The new GtE infrastructure will see power moving

from the Wales site across the Demerara River to the Garden of Eden Substation, then to the newly built Goedverwagting Substation and subsequently to the Sophia Substation. The process underway at Wales is designed to receive natural gas and separate it into different components to maximise value for Guyana. Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar on Tuesday visited the Gas-to-Energy Project site at Wales to assess ongoing works and progress across key areas of the development. They were joined by Director General Alfonso De Armas and a Guyana Power and Light Inc, team led by Nandlall, Team Leader of GPL’s Executive Management Committee. The PM, who has oversight responsibility for the energy sector and the GtE

Project, said the visit is part of his periodic assessment of the development to ensure that works remain aligned with the established implementation schedule. During Tuesday’s inspection, the delegation observed progress on the gas turbines, steam turbine, storage tanks, foundations, piping and other supporting systems, as well as works on the substation that will facilitate the transmission of power from the facility. Following the briefing and site inspection, PM Phillips noted that, since his last inspection in June, works have advanced substantially, with several major components now installed and critical infrastructure progressing across key areas of the facility. The current timeline provides for the first gas turbine to come online by the end of 2026, delivering approximately 57MW of electricity to the national grid.

NEWS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026 | GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Guyana’s ICAO appointment “pivotal” for global aviation role – GCAA head

uyana has achieved a significant milestone with its appointment to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Air Transport Regulation Panel (ATRP), further highlighting the country’s role in global aviation. This appointment took effect July 28, 2026. Dr Saheed Sulaman, Deputy Director General of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), is the appointed official and Guyana’s representative on the panel. According to the GCAA, this appointment underscores Guyana’s growing leadership and active role in shaping international air transport. The Authority highlighted that Dr Sulaman is kno-

GCAA Director General Egbert Field

wn for his regional involvement in the CARICOM Technical Negotiating Team on Air Services, his role as Chairman of the Special Committee on Transport of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and

his role as an ICAO Global Ambassador. “Guyana will no doubt contribute meaningfully to the ATRP’s work,” GCAA said. “The panel brings together qualified technical experts who help the ICAO create, update, and improve policies for the economic and legal regulation of international air transport.” It added that “This appointment aligns with the vision of His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, whose 10-Pillar National Aviation Policy aims to position Guyana as a premier regional aviation hub and to advance connectivity across the region. Guyana’s new role on the ICAO ATRP will certainly help advance the connectivity agenda.”

Right direction

Commenting on the development, GCAA’s Director General, Col (Ret’d) Egbert Field, said the appointment is another step in the right direction. “Our request to join this panel dates to 2019, but ICAO ATRP now sees it as appropriate to appoint us. This is therefore a pivotal opportunity for us to make a greater contribution to global air transport regulation. In this role, Guyana can advocate for policies and contribute to innovative, collaborative solutions that strengthen connectivity and aviation development worldwide,” Field is quoted as saying in the GCAA press release. Meanwhile, Public

48-hour warning issued for removal of vehicles from parapets, road shoulders

ehicle owners in Grove, East Bank, Demerara, have been warned that derelict vehicles left along road shoulders will be removed and seized if owners fail to comply with removal notices. In a social media post on Tuesday, the Public Works Ministry urged persons to

one location to another and/ or disregard removal notices will be seized. The Ministry also noted that neither it nor the Government is interested in permanently withholding the property. Further, the Ministry advised that all costs associated with the removal of

vehicles will be the sole responsibility of the defaulting owner. To reclaim any seized property, owners are required to visit the Ministry and settle the outstanding removal costs before the items can be uplifted.

M&CC

Meanwhile, the Georgetown Mayor and City Council (GMCC) have given 48 hours’ notice to the owners of all vehicles currently parked, abandoned or other-

Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar is quoted saying that “these accomplishments are the sum total and impact of the hard work of the Government and what we are doing.” “The achievements in development within the aviation sector in Guyana are outstanding; across the entire aviation ecosystem, there is growth. Our representation at the regional and global level is not accidental but the result of diligent, targeted effort, vision and leadership. In this regard, we are relentless in our pursuits,” he added.

Past accomplishments

Only a few months ago in May, it was announced that GCAA’s Director General was elected Chairman of the Caribbean Aviation Safety and Security Oversight System (CASSOS), a landmark achievement in the country’s history.

wise occupying the Council’s parapets to remove such vehicles immediately. The GMCC said failure to remove the vehicles within the stipulated 48hour period will result in the Council taking the nec-

note that it continues to issue removal notices and strongly reminded the public that road shoulders are not designated storage spaces and must remain clear for the safety of all road users. According to the Ministry, as a standard procedure, failure to remove these vehicles will result in the Ministry stepping in to have them removed. It further warned that the property of owners who continue to relocate their vehicles from

GCAA Deputy Director General Saheed Sulaman

essary enforcement action, including the removal and impounding of the vehicles, without further notice. Owners are urged to comply within the stated period to avoid enforcement action and any associated costs.

This was the first time that Guyana and the GCAA have assumed the chairmanship of the regional aviation body. Previous chairmanships have been held by Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica, each represented by their respective Director General. At the time, GCAA noted that Guyana assumed the leadership of CASSOS at a pivotal and transformative juncture for the organisation, as the regional body is actively seeking to build its capacity and capability to help its member states enhance oversight of their aviation activities, improve their compliance with the ICAO, and standardise their regulations. Additionally, earlier this year, the GCAA director as well as its deputy was appointed to serve on the ICAO Global Ambassadors Programme. The appointments are for two years and commenced on January 1, 2026. Field, with over 50 years of experience in military and civil aviation as both a pilot and an administrator, has led Guyana’s GCAA as Director General for the past decade, strengthening its institutions and boosting international credibility. With 19 years at GCAA, Dr Sulaman has held senior roles and is now deputy director general, overseeing organisational development, capacity building, and strategic initiatives.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

guyanatimesgy.com

ARCHIE

DAILY HOROSCOPES Add an original touch to whatever you pursue. If you go the distance, you’ll open doors to new beginnings. Your chance to advance is met with passion and emotional input that make you impossible to defeat.

(March 21-April 19) Take your time, be aware of what’s happening around you and gravitate toward the people and pursuits that make you feel grateful. Deal with situations that hold you back.

PICKLES

(April 20-May 20) Make changes, adjustments and gestures for the right reason. Put your heart and soul into making things better, not worse. Being true to yourself will change your perspective regarding love.

(May 21-June 20) Let your intuition and emotions lead the way and your truth be known. Not everyone will be happy with the decisions you make, but if it satisfies your soul, move forward with your head held high.

PEANUTS (June 21-July 22)

A positive change is within reach, but it’s up to you to navigate your way into the circles that can help you turn your dreams into a reality. Take control instead of letting others outmaneuver you.

(July 23-Aug. 22) Think outside the box. If you socialize, the topics of conversation will encourage you to pursue someone or something of interest. Branching out and seeing what’s available will lead to a change in routine.

CALVIN AND HOBBES

(Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Educate yourself and master something that will help you make your dreams come true. Stop letting anger or regret fill your dance card when knowledge and experience are what you need.

(Sept. 23-Oct. 23)

SUDOKU

Proceed in secrecy and with caution. The less outside influence you encounter, the better. Come to terms with matters by looking in the mirror and taking responsibility for your life and what you pursue next.

(Oct. 24-Nov. 22) To play or not to play is the question. Consider what you want to achieve, and remove whatever is deadweight. Place more credence on walking away from temptation and toward a disciplined lifestyle.

(Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Refuse to let your desires tempt you to cut corners. Partnerships will undergo stress if you don’t channel your energy and thoughts into getting along and finding common ground.

SOLUTION FOR LAST PUBLISHED PUZZLE

(Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Look out! Temptation will come to you in mysterious ways. Take a moment to sort the good from the bad and to put your effort and energy toward something that will satisfy your soul.

(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) You’ll ward off negativity by being calm in situations. Take the opportunity to be the one to lead the way and to set an example that encourages others to strive for perfection, kindness and generosity.

(Feb. 20-March 20)

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

Forde hails Youth Ensemble Programme, highlights refereeing, logistics challenges G

uyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde has described the successful conclusion of the Youth Ensemble Programme as an important first step, while acknowledging several challenges that will need to be addressed as the initiative develops. Reflecting on the inaugural programme, Forde pointed to the increased demand placed on the country’s refereeing fraternity as one of the major challenges. “I think we’ve seen the load that it has placed on the refereeing fraternity. So, we

had to really work hard to recruit new referees, and that was both a challenge and an opportunity because we have a lot of young people that stepped forward, and they were trained,” Forde said. He noted that the programme has already contributed to expanding the pool of officials, with one of the young referees getting the opportunity to officiate in the final. “Many of them, I think we had one of them actually officiating in the finals today, young Gasper from the East Bank,” the GFF boss disclosed, “so we’ve added new

numbers to our refereeing fraternity. That was one of the biggest challenges.” Forde also highlighted the financial and logistical demands associated with transporting teams, particularly those from the Rupununi, to participate in the programme. “Of course, the cost of moving teams around, the Rupununi boys, bringing them, taking them back home, was very, very costly,” he explained. While the GFF currently has the resources to support the initiative, Forde stressed that continued improvement

would require careful planning and the exploration of more sustainable solutions. “We now have to figure out if there are other ideas and solutions to do that. Yes, we have at this point the resources, but it’s not a matter of having the resources. You always have to plan for improvement in whatever you do,” he said. Forde believes the lessons learned from the programme’s first year will help shape its future. “We will see how those lessons that we learned in the first year of this project. It’s not finished,” he said, sig-

nalling the GFF’s intention to build on the foundation laid by the Youth Ensemble Programme.

Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde

Prashad takes NTFGL Tour 2 crown in RHTYSC, Poonai Pharmacy renews cricket PromoTech, Danny’s Auto Sales final sponsorship for 7th consecutive year

nder bright sunshine and against a backdrop of lush greens and manicured fairways, Patrick Prashad produced a commanding performance to capture the National Top Flight Golf League (NTFGL) Tour Two title when the competition concluded on Sunday last. The finale, sponsored by PromoTech and Danny’s Auto Sales, provided an exciting conclusion to the tour, with golfers battling for valuable points as the competition went down to the wire. The course was in excellent condition, setting the stage for a day of quality golf, close finishes and spirited competition among the players. Prashad was the man of the moment, carding an impressive net 67 to secure first place on the day and collect eight points. His performance also saw him finish at the top of the overall Tour Two standings with 24 points, earning him the championship title. Arnold Deo, returning to action, made an immediate impact with a solid net 69 to secure second place and five points. Deo also captured the front nine, earning two points for his effort. The battle for the remaining positions was closely contested. Pantanjilee Persaud secured third place and three points, while Ian Gouveia finished fourth after winning the back-nine tiebreaker, earning four points. Anand Persaud completed the top five and col-

Patrick Prashad (L) receives the championship trophy from the former champion Patanjilee Persaud, alongside sponsors Promotech Guyana Inc Country Manager Bala Vinjimoor and Danny’s Auto Sales owner Maxim Mangra

lected one point after winning a tiebreaker against Joseph Szeplaki. Both players finished with a net 74, but Szeplaki was unable to hold his position after a difficult finish on the 18th hole, where he carded a seven. When the final scores were tallied, Prashad emerged as the clear winner of Tour Two with 24 points. Per Persaud finished second overall with 22 points, followed by Anand Persaud on 19 points. Danny secured fourth place with 18 points, while Pops rounded out the top five with 17 points. A total of 16 players received points during the tour, reflecting the competitive nature of the series and the strong participation throughout the competition. There was also a club tournament held on Saturday; this saw Patrick

Prashad claiming first place with a net of 67 and a best gross of 79. Arnold Deo and Ian Gouveia copped second and third place, respectively, with net scores of 69 and 73. Arnold Deo bagged the longest drive, while Mahin Harry took the prize of nearest to pin. The NTFGL expressed sincere appreciation to PromoTech and Danny’s Auto Sales for their sponsorship and continued support of the event. Their contribution helped make the finale a successful one, as players enjoyed a competitive day of golf in an atmosphere filled with excitement, camaraderie and sportsmanship. With the final round completed and the standings settled, it was Patrick Prashad who had the last word, finishing the Tour Two campaign at the summit and walking away as the NTFGL champion.

he Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) and the Poonai’s Pharmacy and Animal Health Care Store renewed their cricket relationship for the seventh consecutive year last Thursday. The company handed over the sponsorship cheque to the club during a simple presentation ceremony at its Public Road, Rose Hall Town Head Office. RHTYSC Cricket Manager Robby Kissoonlall disclosed that Poonai’s Pharmacy and Animal Health Care came on board as an official sponsor of the RHTYSC in 2020. At the time, the popular pharmacy came on board as the sponsor of the Rose Hall Town Under-11 and Under-13 teams. The sponsorship deal was then expanded to include the Rose Hall Town Under-12 team. Over the years, the Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy U13 team has won four Berbice-wide tournaments and was the runner-up twice. Kissoonlall noted with pride that the team has reached the Berbice U13 tournament finals each year since the BCB started to host such tournaments under the Presidency of Hilbert Foster in 2020. The Poonai’s Pharmacy U12 team has currently reached the semi-finals of the ongoing Faizal Jafferally/BCB U12 cricket tournament, while the U13 team has reached the quarter finals of the BCB U13 tournament. Further, Kissoonlall stated that the Poonai’s Pharmacy teams form the nursery of the club, as it feeds junior players for the Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19 divisions. The team, over the years,

Poonai’s Pharmacy CEO Poonai Bhigroog hands over the sponsorship cheque to Under-12 Vice Captain Evan Dhaupat in the presence of his teammates

has produced a total of 26 players at the inter-county level, while several have gone on to play for Guyana, including Tameshwar Deonandan, Leon Reddi, Jayden Ganpat, Trisha Hardat, Daniella Manns, and Rafael McKenzie. Hardat and Manns have gone on to play for the West Indies at the female Under-19 level. Japhet Khaan, Lamer La Fleur and Aiden Moore are the three players from the RHTYSC who played in the Guyana Cricket Board inter-county tournament. Moore and La Fleur played for Berbice, while Khaan represented the GCB President XI team. RHTYSC Assistant Cricket Manager Keith Hicks expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Poonai’s Pharmacy for their continued support of the club, which, since its formation in 1990, has won a total of 134 tournaments and has produced 136 inter-county players, 76 for Guyana and thirteen at the international levels. Players like Assad Fudadin, Kevin Sinclair, Assad Fudadin, Dominic Rikhi, Askay Homraj,

Royston Crandon, Shemaine Campbelle, Erva Giddings, Shenetta Grimmond, and Shabika Gajnabi are all products of the club. Additionally, to its exploits on the cricket field, the Rose Hall Town Poonai’s Pharmacy teams co-hosted a total of 53 different projects under the name of the sponsor. They include Annual Christmas Village, Say Yes to Education, Tribute to Mothers, Tribute to Fathers, Annual Youth Magazine, Annual Cricket Academy, Grade Six Summer Camp, Tribute to Medical Doctors, Basil Butcher Trust Fund, and the distribution of school bags for less fortunate kids. Poonai Bhigroog, Managing Director of the Pharmacy, stated that he was very impressed with the success of the different teams over the years and urged them to maintain their standards in the future. He congratulated the club management on a job well done with the youths. Poonai’s Pharmacy, he stated, would continue to sponsor the teams in the future once they can maintain their success on and off the cricket field.

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

GCB identifies 31 prospects for Guyana Under-13 squad

Caleb Bastain

he Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has shortlisted 31 players, following the completion of the recent Under-13 Inter-County Tournament, which saw Berbice emerge as champions. The shortlisted players were identified based on their performances throughout the tournament and will now participate in a series of developmental and assessment sessions organised by the GCB. The programme will include structured training, skills development exercises, and practice matches, giving the young cricketers further opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, improve their

skills, and prove their readiness for national selection.

Following the completion of the assessment programme, the final Guyana Under-13 squad will be selected. The 31 players shortlisted are Xavier Dodson, Aryan Persaud, Deonarine

Chattergoon, Kaysean Doodnath, Julian Singh, Isaac Hussain, Kishan Bhikham, Vidal Narine, Rakeeb Latif, Austin Peters, Elijah Mohamed, Alden Hope, Caleb Bastian, Thavin Roopnarine, Saif Hussain, Aryan Ali, Kenneth Mahadeo, Yougesh Rammarine, Aiden Moore, Justin Southwell, Aaron Perkins, Huzaifah Shadir, Nitan Manna, Aryan Atkinson, Jovell DeJong, Kayden Springer, Trevon Henry, Lamar Lafleur, Summit Samaroo, Jayden Garner, and Lorenzo Webster. The GCB is also urging the respective clubs, associations and county boards to ensure that the shortlisted players remain fit, continue to train diligently and maintain a strong work ethic whenever they are not engaged in official GCB sessions. Further, the board be-

lieves that consistent training, proper fitness, discipline and continued development at the club, association and county levels will enhance the players’ individual skill sets and overall preparedness. The Board noted that a collective effort among the various stakeholders will be important in developing and preparing a strong and competitive Guyana Under-13 national squad. T h e GCB is therefore encouraging all relevant stakeholders to work closely with the shortlisted players by providing the neces-

sary supp o r t , guidance and training opportunities as they continue their development towards p o s sible n a tional selection. As such, t h e GCB offered congratulations to all 31 players on bei n g

Village Rams end 22-year wait for NY Masters title Tucber Park demolishes Black Deonarine Chattergoon

Bush in BCB 2nd division playoff

Saif Hussain

shortlisted and encouraged them to make full use of the upcoming developmental and assessment sessions to continue improving their cricketing abilities. They went on to congratulate Berbice on capturing the Under-13 InterCounty Championship and commended all participating teams, players, coaches, managers, match officials and other stakeholders for their contribution to the successful staging of the tournament. The Under-13 programme remains an important component of the GCB’s player-development pathway, providing young cricketers from across the country with opportunities to compete, develop their skills and progress towards representing Guyana at the national level.

The champions posed for a team photo with Derek Kallicharran (crouching right)

illage Rams Masters ended a 22-year wait for their first New York Masters Cricket Association. Over-45 title after defeating defending champions Bronx Crusaders Masters by seven wickets at the Roy Sweeney Oval in Brooklyn. Playing in the final on Saturday, August 29, Village Rams dismissed the 13-time champions for 142 in 26.4 overs, before reaching 143 for three from 23.1 overs. Barrington Bartley led the successful chase with an unbeaten 58, anchor-

ing the innings as Village Rams comfortably overhauled their target. Ainsley Edwards contributed 27, while former West Indies B all-rounder Derrick Kallicharran compiled a well-constructed 21 to move the team closer to victory. Earlier, Bronx Crusaders won the toss and elected to bat but failed to use their full allocation of 35 overs. Roderick Ricketts top-scored with 51, while Prassanna Ramaswamy supported with 30. Off-spinner Ballister McLeish spearheaded the Village Rams attack with

four wickets for 30 runs. George Adams claimed three for 29, Mikhail Miller took two wickets, and Bartley added one for 25. The victory came after 22 attempts by Village Rams and brought an end to Bronx Crusaders’ reign as champions. Former Guyana youth player and United States senior team captain Steve Massiah was part of the Bronx Crusaders squad. Nine teams contested the round-robin tournament, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals before the championship match.

outh cricketers Micah Amsterdam and Gavin Kisten stepped up a notch to hit centuries while Orlando Tanner bagged six wickets, as Tucber Park displayed dominance to defeat Black Bush by 205 runs in a commanding performance. Batting first, Tucber Park piled up an imposing 277 all out from 40.2 overs. National Under-19 player Micah Amsterdam led the charge with a brilliant 109 off 64 balls, including eight fours and nine sixes, while Kisten added an equally impressive 102 off 90 balls, striking eight fours and six maximums. Black Bush struggled in reply, being dismissed for just 72 in 15.4 overs. Paul Tyndall made 15. With the ball, medium pacer Orlando Tanner was outstanding, finishing with six wickets for 32 runs from 7.4 overs. Off-spinner Kwesi Mickle also made a major impact, taking two wickets for just two runs from two overs, and Jermaine LaFleur had one wicket for 18 runs.

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Micah Amsterdam scored a scorching century for Tucber Park

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23 Rush Live & Louder leads Caribbean viewership during CPL 2026 R WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

ush Live & Louder has emerged as the most-watched channel across the Caribbean during the opening three weeks of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2026, recording an impressive 3.63 million viewing hours between August 7 and 23. The channel topped pan-regional viewership across Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, underscoring the strong audience demand for live CPL cricket across the region. The pan-regional report, which measures Rush Live & Louder’s performance against leading freeto-air broadcasters and international sports channels, shows the platform’s total comfortably ahead of the next-best performer, with Rush Live & Louder recording more than 2.1 times the viewing hours of the second-ranked channel. The results represent a significant milestone for the channel and underline the continued strength of CPL cricket as a major television draw across the Caribbean. Michael Look Tong, CEO

GUYANATIMESGY.COM

Rush Live & Louder has emerged as the most-watched channel across the Caribbean during the opening three weeks of the Republic Bank CPL

of Caribbean Premier Sports Limited (CPSL), said, “CPL continues to demonstrate the enormous appetite for live cricket across the Caribbean, and these results are very encouraging for RUSH Live & Louder. To record that level of view-

ing hours during the opening weeks of the tournament reflects the strength of the competition, the passion of Caribbean cricket fans and the growing position of Rush Live & Louder as a destination for premium live sport across the region.”

Francios Vainker, Head of Media Partnerships and Business Development of CPL, shared, “The launch of Rush Live & Louder was a landmark moment for CPL and sports broadcasting in the region, so we are delighted to see such strong early

results. To attract such levels of viewership so soon after launching is testament to the draw of CPL but also underlines the appetite for top-quality cricket coverage – something we will be delivering to fans all year round as we truly establish ourselves as the Home of Cricket in the Caribbean.” Individual market data shows a more varied picture behind that regional total. In Trinidad and Tobago, Rush Live & Louder was the second most-watched channel for the first two weeks of the tournament, moving to third in the final week of the report, with Trinbago Knight Riders home fixtures being shown on CNC3. In Jamaica, Rush Live & Louder ranked third in weeks one and three, rising to second during the Jamaica leg of the competition. In Barbados, Rush Live & Louder held the number two position across all three weeks of the tournament, while in St Kitts and Nevis it was the outright number one channel for the full threeweek period. Strong performances across Trinidad and

Tobago and Jamaica, the Caribbean Premier League’s two largest broadcast markets, helped secure Rush Live & Louder’s position as the most-watched channel across the region overall. The results mark a significant milestone for Republic Bank CPL’s broadcast strategy and reflect the tournament’s growing global appeal. As CPL continues to expand its footprint across the Caribbean, Rush Live & Louder remains the primary home for fans seeking live coverage of one of the world’s premier T20 leagues heading into the remainder of the 2026 season. With the Republic Bank CPL 2026 season moving into its decisive stages, Rush Live & Louder will continue bringing fans across the region live coverage of the tournament as the race for the playoffs and final intensifies. The strong early-season performance further reinforces Rush Live & Louder’s position as the home of cricket in the caribbean. (CPLT20)

Increased contingent expected at Davion Mars takes sole lead in CARIFTA as Guyana hosts in 2027 Pegasus Weekly Chess League

AAG President Sheryl Hermonstine

uyana is expected to field a much larger contingent at the 2027 Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Track and Field Championships, when the land of many waters opens its doors to youth athletes from around the Caribbean for the 54th edition of the regional track and field showpiece. This was confirmed by Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) President Sheryl Hermonstine following the launch of the 2027 event in Guyana. As is customary with hosts at such games, the home contingent will have the advantage of fielding much larger teams; the AAG intends on capitalising on next year. “Guyana intends to have a full scope of about 60 athletes representing us,” Hermonstine announced, responding to enquiries from sport media. In 2025, Guyana fielded a 42-member team at the Games which were hosted at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Trinidad and Tobago. In

2026, that number moved to 24 as the Games shifted to the Kirani James Stadium in Grenada. With 60 athletes projected for 2027, that already signals a major increase from previous years. In addition to Guyana hav-

commence on the first week in September. We’ve already started with CARIFTA, through a programme, through the Ministry, and so, we will build on that programme where we used to have weekly camps for our athletes, at least twice per month.” Further, major competition dates have been taken into consideration as stakeholders work to ensure the Guyanese athletes peak at the right point in their season, according to the Education Ministry. As such, the InterSchools Championships have been scheduled for October, while the Nationals Secondary Schools’ Championships are set for March 3-5, 2027, at the Bayrock National Stadium in Linden. Meanwhile, the CARIFTA Games are set for March 27–

Guyana is expected to field a much larger team at CARIFTA 2027

ing a much larger representation, plans are already in place to give the Guyanese athletes ample preparation. “Yes, there is a plan,” Hermonstine confirmed. The AAG President went on to divulge, “Actually, we met with our coaches last Sunday, and our plan will

29, 2027, at the National Track and Field Centre (NTFC), Leonora, West Coast Demerara. Team Guyana will be looking to improve on their medal haul at the upcoming edition after grabbing four gold, one silver and one bronze in Grenada.

echanical Engineer and avid chess player Davion Mars emerged as the sole unbeaten participant in the Pegasus Weekly Chess League, after defeating Keron Sandiford in a closely contested fourth-round encounter on Monday night at the Pegasus Corporate Suites in Kingston. Mars and Sandiford, both national players, entered the highly anticipated match with perfect records of three victories from three games. However, Mars’ superior play in the endgame secured his fourth consecutive win and moved him one point clear of the field with three rounds remaining. Playing with the white pieces, Mars opted for the Exchange Variation against Sandiford’s French Defence. The position remained balanced for much of the contest, with neither player able to establish a clear advantage. The turning point arrived on move 39 when Sandiford agreed to an exchange of rooks, simplifying the position into a pawn ending. Although the exchange appeared harmless, post-game analysis showed that it shifted the advantage heavily in Mars’ favour. Mars needed only four additional moves to demonstrate the strength of his position before Sandiford resigned. The victory lifted him to four points, while Sandiford remained on three. Despite the result, Mars believed he had missed an opportunity to decide the contest earlier. “Annoyed by the missing

Keron Sandiford (right) makes a move during his Round Four encounter with Davion Mars (left)

37.Rxf7, which was winning on the spot, but I am satisfied with the fact that at no point in the game Black had any initiative,” Mars said during the post-game analysis. Both players had prepared carefully for the contest after emerging from the third round as the competition’s only players with perfect records. Elsewhere, artist and business owner Ryan McKay defeated Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender to move to three points and retain third place. Odinnie Reece climbed into fourth place after defeating the tournament’s youngest player, Sachin Beharry. Reece now has 2.5 points. Oluwadare Oyeyipo also moved up one position following his victory over Martin Poon. He joined Reece on 2.5 points and occupies fifth place. Veteran player and banker Raymond Sookdeo received a forfeit victory and moved two places into seventh, while entrepreneur

Jaden Taylor defeated Owen Mickle to climb two positions into eighth. Annastaysha Marcano secured her first point of the season through a forfeit win over Juliana Persaud. After four rounds, Mars leads with four points, followed by Sandiford and McKay on three. Reece and Oyeyipo have 2.5 points, while Callender, Sookdeo, and Taylor are on two points each. The league will now pause until October 5, as organiser FIDE Master Anthony Drayton and two participants prepare to represent Guyana at the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan from September 14 to 29. The Pegasus Weekly Chess League is organised by Drayton’s Chess Club in partnership with the Pegasus Chess Club and the Guyana Chess Federation. Standings, results, and league updates are available on the Drayton’s Chess Club Facebook page.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

Sport is no longer our game, it’s our business

Republic Bank CPL…

Falcons hand Warriors 1st defeat of CPL season Alzarri Joseph was outstanding

he Antigua a n d Barbuda Falcons brought the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW)’s unbeaten run in the Republic Bank Caribbean P r e m i e r L e a g u e (CPL) to an unceremonious end, securing a 65-run victory in Match 30 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, on Tuesday night.

GAW Captain Imran Tahir won the toss and elected to bowl, hoping his side could maintain its winning streak in front of an enthusiastic home crowd. However, the Falcons produced a commanding performance with both bat and ball to hand the Warriors their first defeat of the tournament. Karima Gore provided the Falcons with a blistering start, showcasing some excellent strokeplay before his innings ended on 23 from 18 balls. Attempting a slog sweep, Gore was caught by Rahmanullah Gurbaz inside the 30-yard circle, giving Khary Pierre his first wicket of the night. The Falcons reached 44 for one at the end of the powerplay and continued to build a solid platform. Evin Lewis looked promising before being trapped leg before wicket by Tahir for 22 from 18 balls, leaving the visitors 55 for two after eight overs. At the halfway stage, the Falcons had progressed to 69 for two, with Amir

Guyana Amazon Warriors suffered a disappointing batting collapse

Jangoo and Hassan Nawaz calmly rebuilding the innings. The pair added 47 before Mohammed Nabi broke the partnership, with Jangoo caught by Shimron Hetmyer at longoff for 27 from 30 balls. Tahir completed his four-over spell at the end of the 16th over with impressive figures of one for 21, as the Falcons moved to 118 for three with four overs remaining. Nawaz then attempted to accelerate the scoring but fell for 36 from 27 balls, including three fours and two sixes, as Shamar Joseph claimed his first wicket. Moeen Ali briefly threatened to take control, smashing Romario Shepherd for two huge sixes, but Shepherd had the final say when he dismissed the all-rounder. The Falcons gained further momentum in the 19th over when Joseph conceded 19 runs. His difficult outing continued when he dropped Shadab Khan, who made the Warriors pay by striking three sixes and a four in an unbeaten 30.

Shadab took 26 runs from Shepherd’s final over as the Falcons closed their 20 overs on 182 for five, setting the Warriors 183 for victory. The Warriors made a flying start to their chase, with Gurbaz particularly aggressive, dealing in boundaries and sixes. However, Alzarri Joseph soon changed the complexion of the innings, removing Gurbaz for 18 from just eight balls. Joseph struck again in the same over when Shai Hope top-edged a delivery to Moeen Ali and departed without scoring. Young Mavendra Dindyal showed composure under pressure and continued to find the boundary, but Joseph completed his hat-trick of wickets when Dindyal chipped a delivery to mid-on for 25 from 13 balls, including two fours and two sixes. Joshua James then made an immediate impact with his first delivery, dismissing Shimron Hetmyer for four and leaving the Warriors four wickets down inside the powerplay. At the end of six overs, the home side were 71 for four. Shadab Khan joined the wicket-taking spree, dismissing Quentin Sampson for 12, before Sufiyan Muqeem removed Romario Shepherd as the Warriors slipped to 81 for six. Khan claimed his second wicket of the night when he bowled Dwaine Pretorius for one, while Shamar Joseph and Tahir failed to last long as the Warriors’ collapse continued. They were reduced to 117 for nine after 14 overs, with Alzarri Joseph completing an outstanding four-over spell with four for 41. Joshua James then capped the Falcons’ im-

press i v e a l l round perfor-

mance by trapping Nabi’s leg before wicket for 23, bowling GAW out for 117 in 14.2 overs. The Falcons therefore completed a convincing 65-run victory, ending the Warriors’ unbeaten run and handing the home side their first defeat of the 2026 Republic Bank CPL campaign.

aaa

Shadab Khan had an excellent all-round game

SCOREBOARD

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons (20 ovs maximum) Karima Gore c Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Pierre 23 Evin Lewis lbw b Imran Tahirn 22 Amir Jangoo †c Hetmyer b Mohammad Nabi 27 Hasan Nawaz c Mohammad Nabi b Joseph 36 Moeen Ali (c) c Pretorius b Shepherd 18 Shadab Khan not out 30 Fabian Allen not out 11 Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 9) 15 Total 20 Ov (RR: 9.10) 182/5 Did not bat: Joshua James, Sufyan Moqim, Jayden Seales, Alzarri Joseph Fall of wickets: 1-31 (Karima Gore, 3.4 ov), 2-55 (Evin Lewis, 7.3 ov), 3-102 (Amir Jangoo, 14.1 ov), 4-120 (Hasan Nawaz, 16.3 ov), 5-136 (Moeen Ali, 17.5 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Dwaine Pretorius 2-0-16-0 Romario Shepherd 3-0-51-1 Khary Pierre 3-0-27-1 Mohammad Nabi 4-0-23-1 Imran Tahir 4-0-21-1 Shamar Joseph 4-0-39-1

Guyana Amazon Warriors (T: 183 runs from 20 ovs) Rahmanullah Gurbaz b Joseph 18 Mavendra Dindyal c Seales b Joseph 25 Shai Hope † c Ali b Joseph 0 Shimron Hetmyer c Lewis b James 4 Mohammad Nabi lbw b James 23 Quentin Sampson b Shadab Khan 12 Romario Shepherd c Gore b Sufyan Moqim 6 Dwaine Pretorius b Shadab Khan 1 Shamar Joseph b Sufyan Moqim 5 Imran Tahir (c) b Joseph 8 Khary Pierre not out 0 Extras (b 4, lb 3, nb 1, w 7) 15 Total 14.2 Ov (RR: 8.16) 117 Fall of wickets: 1-33 (Rahmanullah Gurbaz, 2.2 ov), 2-34 (Shai Hope, 2.5 ov), 3-54 (Mavendra Dindyal, 4.5 ov), 4-59 (Shimron Hetmyer, 5.1 ov), 5-74 (Quentin Sampson, 6.4 ov), 6-81 (Romario Shepherd, 7.2 ov), 7-86 (Dwaine Pretorius, 8.1 ov), 8-99 (Shamar Joseph, 9.5 ov), 9-117 (Imran Tahir, 13.5 ov), 10-117 (Mohammad Nabi, 14.2 ov) Bowling O-M-R-W Alzarri Joseph 4-0-41-4 Jayden Seales 2-0-21-0 Joshua James 1.2-0-11-2 Shadab Khan 4-0-19--2 Sufyan Moqim 3-0-18-2

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