…still

Your Eyewitness lives and learns!! Two hundred years ago, a Frenchman pointed a camera out of his window and changed the world!! Nicéphore Niépce’s “View from the Window at Le Gras” – dated to 1826 – is the oldest surviving camera photograph. It shows buildings and rooftops – rather than anything particularly exciting. Humanity’s great photographic adventure began, reassuringly, with somebody photographing the view from home!!
Think about this – before photography, having your likeness preserved usually required an artist, money, and a heck of a lotta patience!! Posterity favoured folks who could afford to sit around looking important – so photography opened the family album to the rest of us!! Ordinary shmoes acquired something once reserved for the privileged – a face that could outlive them!!
And what faces they left! Those stiff family portraits – with everyone looking as though smiling might spoil the photograph – became household treasures!! In Guyanese homes, a framed wedding picture or a fading portrait could preside over the front room for decades!! Generations grew up beneath the gaze of an ancestor who clearly disapproved of the world!!
But photography gave our migration a human face, too, didn’t it?? A picture arriving from “outside” showed the baby had grown, the son had married, or the daughter was standing beside SNOW!! Relatives inspected the background almost as carefully as the person – was that REALLY his house? And who was the woman next to him?!! The camera also enlarged our world by making places most folks would never visit become visible!!
Photographs also gave history details that official accounts often overlooked – an old street photograph preserves Georgetown’s shop signs, the clothes, the transport, and the people passing through an ordinary afternoon!! The photographer may’ve intended to capture Big Market – a century later, we’re peering at the fellow standing in front!!
Then came the domestic suspense of the film camera. You took your pictures, handed over the roll, and waited to discover whether you had recorded a holiday or 24 variations of your thumb!! Now, the smartphone’s made almost everyone a photographer – while demanding that everything’s gotta be documented. At a birthday party, the cake waits, the candles burn down and somebody shouts, “One more!” – as especially our meals have become models!!
Yet beneath all this cheerful excess lies photography’s extraordinary gift – it lets us return to a face, a place, a moment, making a blurred snapshot of someone we loved more valued than the finest picture in a gallery! The camera can’t keep people with us – but it can preserve the way they stood in a doorway, held a child, or laughed before anyone told us to pose!!
Two hundred years on, that remains a small miracle!!

…development banner
For many ordinary Guyanese, starting a business has meant confronting a familiar puzzle – to borrow the money needed to get ahead, you’ve gotta first prove you’re already comfortably ahead!! Bring collateral, bring financial statements, and bring this document, and that document!! And by the time you finish bringing things, the business idea might qualify for a pension!!
So, the Government deserves kudos for opening a more promising door through the Guyana Development Bank – which offers eligible small and medium-sized businesses loans of up to GY$3 million, without interest or collateral, across all 10 Regions!! We’ve got no shortage of folks with “growable” business opportunities – there’s the black-pudding vendor whose orders have outgrown her kitchen; the mechanic who needs equipment to establish his own workshop; the farmer who could earn more by processing what he grows; and the young graduate with a clever business idea but no property to pledge!!
Now the interest-free loans up to $3M and business coaching can put them to work and spread the wealth!!

… black assets
From our own history, we know about CIA agents being funded to work undercover. But your Eyewitness didn’t realise the scale of the funding.
One agent admits stealing US$200M – including $40M in gold bars found in home!!

The Caribbean has long enjoyed an enviable advantage in the global tourism industry. Its beaches, tropical climate, biodiversity, culture and distinctive communities have made the region a sought-after destination for travellers from around the world. But as competition intensifies and the expectations of travellers change, those natural advantages can no longer be treated as sufficient in themselves.
This is the central message from President Dr Irfaan Ali at the opening of the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) 2026 in Georgetown. Themed “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable, and Inclusive,” the conference has brought together governments, investors, tourism businesses and other stakeholders to examine the direction of an industry that remains critical to the Caribbean economy.
President Ali’s call for the region to “scale up” its thinking deserves serious consideration. The issue is about developing tourism products that respond to where the international market is heading, while ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach wider sections of Caribbean societies.
The global tourism market is changing and travellers are increasingly seeking distinctive experiences, high-quality hospitality, entertainment, sporting events, wellness facilities, cultural encounters and nature-based attractions. Countries and regions that recognise these changes and invest accordingly will be better positioned to capture a greater share of international tourism spending.
Countries in the Middle East have invested in luxury hospitality, major sporting events, entertainment and supporting infrastructure to establish themselves as global tourism destinations. The Caribbean may not possess the financial resources to replicate those investments individually, but that should not prevent the region from adopting the underlying principle, think bigger, plan strategically and invest in products that can compete internationally.
This is where regional cooperation becomes particularly important.
The Caribbean consists of small individual markets, many of which face limitations in land, capital, transportation and infrastructure. Collectively, however, the region possesses a remarkably diverse tourism offering. Greater cooperation could allow Caribbean countries to market multiple destinations as part of a broader tourism experience while jointly pursuing major international events.
President Ali’s suggestion that the region could identify a number of major events to pursue collectively by 2035 provides one example of the type of strategic thinking required. Such an approach would demand investment in airports, roads, ports, hotels, entertainment facilities and other infrastructure. It would also require coordination among governments and the private sector.
Connectivity must be at the heart of the region’s tourism strategy as it is of little benefit to promote a diverse Caribbean tourism experience if moving efficiently between destinations remains difficult or expensive. A stronger regional tourism product requires easier movement of visitors, better air and sea links and more integrated travel arrangements.
Important also is the need to encourage investment in experiences beyond the traditional hotel-and-beach model.
Guyana is particularly well positioned to explore this approach as its rainforest, rivers, biodiversity, wildlife and Indigenous communities provide the foundations for tourism products that can distinguish the country from more established Caribbean destinations. President Ali’s proposal for a world-class tropical forest night safari is precisely the kind of concept that demonstrates how natural assets can be transformed into innovative commercial experiences rather than simply admired as attractions.
This does not mean sacrificing sustainability for development. On the contrary, the future of Caribbean tourism depends on protecting the very resources that make the region attractive. The conference’s emphasis on smart, sustainable and inclusive tourism recognises that development and conservation must advance together.
Natural beauty is an asset, but an asset must be developed, promoted and continually enhanced to maintain its value. Other destinations are investing heavily in infrastructure, technology and new experiences. Standing still, therefore, amounts to falling behind.
The private sector has an important role to play in this transformation. Governments can provide policy, land, infrastructure and incentives, but sustainable tourism development requires investors prepared to identify opportunities and take calculated risks. The region must create an environment in which innovative tourism concepts can attract serious capital.
SOTIC 2026 comes at an appropriate time and should use the conference as a platform for establishing measurable regional priorities towards 2035. Research, market intelligence, investment, connectivity, technology and sustainability must translate into defined programmes with deadlines and accountability.
President Ali’s fundamental point is straightforward; the Caribbean cannot depend indefinitely on what nature has already provided. It must build upon those advantages.

Motor racing fans could be treated to as many as 300 races when the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) stages its latest drag-racing event at the East Canje, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) airstrip in Region Six on Sunday.

The October 11 event is expected to feature both cars and motorcycles battling over the quarter mile, with organisers also introducing a new timing-based system to determine the classes in which competitors will race.
GMR&SC President Mohamad Shairaz Roshandin said more than 100 competitors registered for last year’s event, and the elimination format means the number of races could increase significantly as the competition progresses.
“The last time we had over 100 competitors registered, so it’s two cars going down together. So just for all of them to have at least one race, you’re looking at 50,” Roshandin explained.
“And for elimination purposes, that will multiply tremendously. It will reach maybe 200 to 300 races.”
One of the major changes for this year’s event is the method being used to classify competitors.
Last year, cars were grouped according to the cubic capacity of their engines. This time, Roshandin said, a timing system will classify competitors according to how quickly they complete the quarter mile.
“The last time we did what we did, we were just classing cars according to the cubic capacity of the engine. This time around we’re working with a timing system which classes you depending on how fast you can finish a quarter mile,” he explained.

The system will allow cars to be grouped into classes ranging from 16 seconds down to 11 seconds, with organisers also considering a 10-second class.
Motorcycles, meanwhile, will compete in 600cc and 1000cc classes.
Roshandin noted, however, that the surface at the East Canje airstrip will place some limitations on the type of high-powered cars that can compete.
“The surface down here is not asphalt; it’s concrete. It’s a bit rough, so the higher-power cars can’t really drive on it,” the GMR&SC boss explained.
Nevertheless, he said organisers intend to have the highest-powered machines that are suitable for the surface participate in Sunday’s event.
The GMR&SC is hoping to build on the success of last year’s staging and establish the Berbice drag meet as an annual event.
Roshandin said apart from providing entertainment for motor-racing enthusiasts in Berbice, the event has the potential to contribute to the county’s tourism sector and wider economy by attracting patrons and competitors from other parts of Guyana and neighbouring Suriname.
“We want to bring the entertainment and excitement for the people of Berbice and also let that help with the tourism sector and also help with the economy in Berbice, where people will come from Georgetown; those will come across from Suriname, and, you know, it will add to the economy in Berbice,” he noted.
Organisers are also seeking to improve arrangements for patrons after assessing the system used during last year’s event.
Roshandin explained that vehicles were previously parked along the road, with shuttle buses transporting patrons into the venue.
This time, designated parking areas are being identified, and signs will be erected to guide motorists. Shuttle buses will again be used to transport patrons from the parking areas to the airstrip.
“We’re trying to improve on that,” Roshandin shared. “We’re going to put up parking signs… so you know that area you can go park, and there will be a shuttle bus there or two to just shuttle you all the way in.”
He described last year’s arrangements as a “trial”, noting that organisers are seeking to improve the system this time around.
Safety and security arrangements are also being put in place.
The East Canje airstrip has dams on both sides, with a canal alongside the racing area. According to Roshandin, spectators will be positioned beyond fencing on the dams, providing separation between them and the racing strip.
Police will also be on hand to direct and control activities in the area, while private security personnel are expected to assist with ensuring the smooth movement of vehicles.
Tickets for Sunday’s event will be sold at the gate.
The gates are scheduled to open at 07:00h, while qualifying and racing will get underway at 10:00h. (G-4)

The Linden Masters football team were the last men standing over the weekend as they outplayed every opposition they faced, en route to a championship win in the Isun Health Conscious-sponsored “One Love” Over-40 Football.
In the semi-finals, Beacon Football Club (FC) masters pulled off a 2-0 victory against Riddim Squad FC Masters. Sherwin Rose and Anthony “Awo” Abrams found the back of the net for Beacon Masters.

Then, in the second semi-final, Linden Masters set up a date with the Georgetown side after defeating Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Masters. Following a stalemate after regulation time, the contest was plunged into penalties, where Linden Masters eventually prevailed 10-9 in sudden death kicks.
GDF Masters, however, redeemed themselves in the third-place playoff, overcoming 4-2 on penalties to grab the $60,000 third-place prize. The encounter had also ended in a stalemate. Additionally, Riddim Squad were rewarded with $40,000 for finishing fourth.
In the grand finale, Linden Masters held firm for a 3-1 victory over Beacon Masters. Andrew Edwards netted a brace for Linden alongside a solitary strike from Carlos Grant while Abrams had accounted for Beacon’s consolation.
The Linden side, therefore, walked away with the $200,000 grand prize, while Beacon had to settle for the $100,000 second prize.
Linden Masters’ Garfield Shepard was recognised as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP), while GDF Masters’ Delroy Fraser was the highest goal scorer. Linden Masters carted off the Best Midfielder, Best Defender, and Best Goal Keeper prizes in Travis Waterton, Julian Davidson, and Linden Dennis, respectively. The Best Coach, Randy King, came from GDF.
Tournament organiser Junior Junior Forrester extended gratitude to the tournament’s sponsor Isun-Health Conscious. Thanks were also extended to the Guyana Responsible Parent Association and Ministry of Health, who provided free prostate cancer tests and eye test vouchers.

Skipper Rashaad Gaffur was large and in charge at the Bush Lot United Sports Club Ground when he led his side, Cotton Tree, to a comfortable win in Die Hard.
Gaffur struck a fine unbeaten 120 as Cotton Tree secured a 55-run win in the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) intermediate 40-overs tournament.

Earlier, Cotton Tree won the toss and opened to bat first, scoring 272-7 in their allotted 40 overs.
Rashaad Gaffur’s 120 stood out, supported by Suraj Bissoondyal, who made 27, and Arif Khan made 20.
Bowling for Bush Lot United, Altaf Ali had two for 35 from eight overs. Akash Ramdewar went for 11 runs per over, claiming two for 77 from seven overs.
Bush Lot replied with 217 all out. Justin Doobay offered great resistance with a brave unbeaten knock of 86. Altaf Ali scored 32, while Lakeraj Hemraj made 23.
Bowling for Cotton Tree, Fawaz Gaffoor had three for 31 from eight overs, while Rashaad Gaffur returned two for 40 from eight overs. Hamchan Ragbeer chipped in with two for 41 from 6.3 overs as Cotton Tree now advances to the next round.