Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has assured the family of 32-year-old Gavin Kennard Douglas that allegations surrounding his death while in Police custody will be investigated fairly, stressing that accountability must follow wherever wrongdoing is established.

The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has launched an investigation into Douglas’ death following an incident at the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, West Coast Demerara, on Saturday.

“I recognise the pain they are experiencing and, importantly, their need for answers,” Minister Walrond said in a video statement on her Facebook page.

The minister stressed that any death involving a person in state custody must be treated as a serious matter.

“When someone is taken into police custody the state assumes responsibility for that person safety and well being,” Walrond said.

She also acknowledged the allegations surrounding Douglas’ death, but said investigators must be allowed to establish the circumstances through evidence.

“I expect that investigation to be thorough, impartial and conducted with urgency. If wrongdoing is established, appropriate action must follow,” she said.

She further assured the family and the wider public that the matter would be treated with the seriousness it demands, adding that Douglas’ relatives deserve the truth about what happened.

Douglas, of Crane Housing Scheme, West Coast Demerara, was arrested on Saturday in connection with an alleged armed robbery committed on Wednesday, October 28, at New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop.

According to Police Headquarters, he was escorted to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station at approximately 11:36 hrs.

Around 12:00 hrs, while being placed in the lockups, Douglas reportedly became aggressive and resisted police ranks. He was subsequently restrained and placed in the lockups.

However, at approximately 12:45 hrs, ranks conducting checks discovered him frothing at the mouth.

He was immediately rushed to the West Demerara Regional Hospital, where he died while receiving medical attention.

The OPR is investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Piloting the One Guyana Racing Team’s Lamborghini, Jamaican driver Tommi Gore delivered a spectacular finale in fading light to snatch a thrilling victory in the second GTS race at the South Dakota Circuit.

The Lamborghini’s straight-line speed proved decisive, allowing Gore to avenge his second-place finish behind German prodigy Finn Zulauf in the opening GTS sprint and cap off a weekend defined by relentless pace at the Guyana Motor Racing & Sports Club’s Caribbean Clash of Champions on Sunday.

Zulauf, driving the GT3 Porsche for Team GuyAmerica Construction, had earlier laid down a blistering marker in Saturday’s qualifying shootout.

Needing just two flying laps to seize control of the timesheets, Zulauf unleashed a 1:10.401 that immediately threatened the ultimate circuit record of 1:10.397, then followed it up with a 1:10.474 in the first race.

Team GuyanaAmerica Construction’s Daniel Linfoot dominated the two-wheeled action, storming to victory in all three Super Bike 1000cc races ahead of Elliot Vieira.

Linfoot shattered the class lap record with a phenomenal 1:13.302, comfortably eclipsing the previous 1:16.070 benchmark set by Kevin Persaud in September 2026.

The 600cc Super Stock category witnessed a sensational exchange of track records across the weekend. Richard Cooper, also riding for Team GuyAmerica Construction, initially demolished Linfoot’s 2025 record of 1:16.017 by posting a 1:14.749 in the opening race, where he crossed the line second behind Gregg Black.

However, Frenchman Loris Baz of the One Guyana Racing Team struck back in race two, resetting the record once more with a 1:14.482 despite finishing second to Cooper, who maintained his formidable form to secure victories in both the second and third races.

In Group Four (2WD), Harry Foster lowered the lap record to 1:13.094. This eclipsed the previous benchmark of 1:14.618 set by William Martin at the Guyana Grand Prix in July 2026.

Foster translated his record-setting pace into a clean sweep of all three Group Four races, leaving Martin to settle for second place in races one and two.

Group Three saw Stefan Jeffrey pilot his iconic Honda Civic to a new lap record of 1:19.009, dismantling Danny Persaud’s previous time of 1:20.156.

Jeffrey translated that blistering pace into total dominance, taking first place ahead of Anand Ramchand in all three outings.

Zachary Persaud secured a hat-trick of victories in the Street Tuner 1500cc class, while Ryan Rahaman mirrored that achievement in the Sports Tuner 1600cc category by holding off challengers like Azaad Hassan and Kemal Rahaman across three dominant races.

Justin TenPow completed the list of clean sweeps in the Rookie B-Class non-turbo division, taking the top step of the podium in all three events ahead of Nicholas Shaw and Safeeruden Roshandin.

Provisional Results

RESULTS LINK: https://speedhive.mylaps.com/livetiming/MNQRNDLQ-2147484105

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

The Hand-in-Hand Mutual Fire Insurance Company Limited has once again cemented its role as a premier custodian of the nation’s sporting legacy by launching History of Cricket in Guyana, Volume III (1915–1923): No Silver Lining Yet.

Authored by distinguished historian Professor Clem Seecharan, the latest instalment was unveiled at a prestigious ceremony on Saturday at the historic Georgetown Cricket Club, Bourda, drawing dignitaries from government, academia, and the cricketing fraternity.

For Hand-in-Hand, this ongoing literary project is deeply intertwined with its own corporate identity.

Established in 1865, the company’s founding coincides precisely with the dawn of first-class cricket in Guyana, marked by Demerara hosting Barbados in the inaugural first-class match at Parade Ground.

This 160-year parallel elevates the company’s backing from standard corporate sponsorship to a profound institutional commitment to documenting a sport that evolved alongside the insurer itself.

The evening was deeply anchored in paying homage to the late Dr Ian McDonald, whose visionary passion originally catalysed the project.

Hand-in-Hand’s Chairman, John Carpenter, delivered a moving tribute, reflecting on McDonald’s enduring association with the company and his vital role in preserving the nation’s intellectual and sporting tapestry.

Guided by Master of Ceremonies and Hand-in-Hand Legal and Compliance Officer Paul Braam, the launch highlighted the synergy between the historic firm and the literary world.

Following an introduction by Hand-in-Hand Director Paul Chan-A-Sue, Professor Seecharan addressed the gathering.

He expressed immense gratitude to the company and the late Dr. McDonald for commissioning the series as part of Hand-in-Hand’s 150th-anniversary celebrations in 2015.

Emphasising the company’s long-term commitment to the archive, Seecharan revealed that research is already underway for a fourth and final volume.

He also reserved special praise for Hand-in-Hand’s Marketing Manager,  Savita Singh, for her meticulous coordination of the launch.

The firm’s continued patronage of cricket scholarship was further applauded by the evening’s guest speakers. Introduced by Hand-in-Hand’s Managing Director, Omadatt Singh, veteran commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira delivered the feature address.

Perreira championed the depth of Seecharan’s work and urged the University of Guyana to integrate the nation’s cricket history into its academic curriculum.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport,  Charles Ramson Jr., echoed these sentiments, noting that safeguarding these historical records is vital for sustaining the shared identity and national pride inspired by the game.

Volumes I, II, and III are currently available for purchase at Hand-in-Hand’s Head Office on the Avenue of the Republic in Georgetown. (PRESS RELEASE) 

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Magistrate Judy Latchman on Monday refused an application by the prosecution to revoke the bail granted to businessman and Opposition Leader Azruddin Mohamed in his extradition proceedings, ruling that pending criminal charges, without convictions, were not sufficient grounds to justify taking away his liberty.

The application was made by Jamaican King’s Counsel Terrence Williams, who is part of the United States government’s prosecution team in the extradition proceedings involving Mohamed and his father, Nazar Mohamed, who are wanted in the United States.

Williams initially sought the revocation of bail for both men. However, he subsequently withdrew the application in relation to Nazar Mohamed, leaving the court to consider the request concerning Azruddin.

The defence opposed the application, arguing that the extradition court could not use allegations and proceedings in other courts as a basis for revoking bail, particularly where those matters had not resulted in convictions.

Attorney Roysdale Forde argued that the court should not consider events in other proceedings under the Bail Act as grounds for revocation. He also disputed allegations concerning threats against Nazar Mohamed, denying that his client had made statements to witness Prem Narine.

Forde further pointed out that Nazar Mohamed had not been charged in connection with any alleged threat against Narine.

Attorney Siand Dhurjon, also representing Mohamed, acknowledged the court’s authority to revoke bail but argued that any such decision based on other pending charges would require an examination of their factual basis and prospects.

He cautioned that revoking bail on the basis of unproven allegations would undermine the presumption of innocence.

Dhurjon submitted that the existing bail arrangements were adequate and urged Latchman to refuse the prosecution’s application.

In delivering her decision, Latchman said that while the court had the authority to revoke or vary bail, she did not consider past conduct without conviction or pending charges without conviction sufficient to warrant revocation.

“In these circumstances, bail is maintained,” the magistrate ruled.

She added that if Mohamed were convicted in the other matters, such convictions could have a bearing on a future application to revoke bail.

The ruling means Mohamed remains on bail in the extradition proceedings, notwithstanding his separate criminal cases.

Mohamed is currently on remand at the Lusignan Prison in connection with the separate $800,000 bribery allegation, for which he was charged alongside Police Constable Ryan Greene.

He is due to return to court on November 24, 2026 in that matter.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Avinash Persaud and Christine Sukhram cemented their status among Guyana’s all-time sporting greats on Sunday, each securing a remarkable 15th championship title as the Guyana Open concluded at the Lusignan Golf Club.

Persaud delivered a masterclass in consistency over the 36-hole tournament, carding identical rounds of 78 on Saturday and Sunday to capture the men’s overall gross title on 156.

His four-shot victory kept him comfortably clear of joint runners-up Marlon Abena and Jalan Raman, who both finished at 160.

Persaud capped his dominant weekend by sweeping the men’s longest-drive awards on both days, while Mohanlal Dinanath took the men’s overall net honours with a score of 145.

In the women’s championship, Sukhram produced another commanding display to add a 15th crown to her roll of honour. She posted an opening 83 followed by a final-round 90 for an aggregate 173, finishing 15 strokes ahead of runner-up Joaan Deo on 188. Princessa Wilkie finished third at 204.

Wilkie enjoyed an outstanding weekend of her own, capturing the women’s overall net title with 144 after posting the division’s best net scores on both days, finishing ahead of Sukhram on 151 and Sabi Dhori on 153.

Deo and Wilkie claimed the women’s longest drive honours across the weekend, while Myung Ja-Kim won the nearest-the-pin contest on day one.

The handicap divisions produced two clean sweeps. Jim Peck dominated the 10–18 flight, taking both the division’s best gross award with 161 and the net title with 135 to edge out Subhas Chandar on 137 and Arnold Deo on 139.

Jermaine Pillay completed a similar double in the 19–28 flight, securing the gross prize on 177 and net honours on 133, finishing ahead of Hilton Wong on 138 and Chet Bowling on 141.

In the senior division, Nigel Smith sealed victory with a net 132, clear of Kishan Bacchus on 138 and Carlos Adams on 145. Danny Aldebotoe took the men’s opening-day nearest-the-pin prize.

The two-day championship on the East Coast of Demerara capped a memorable local showcase, highlighted by Persaud and Sukhram’s continued dominance at the pinnacle of Guyanese golf. (Modified Press Release) 

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

By Kurt Campbell in Antigua

[email protected] 

Thousands of Guyanese have already benefited from Commonwealth-linked digital training programmes, as the organisation now seeks to expand access to skills and entrepreneurship opportunities for 10 million young people over the next five years.

The announcement by Commonwealth Secretary-General Shirley Botchwey at the launch of the joint forums and events of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda on Monday builds on years of efforts to help young people and other citizens across member countries develop skills for a changing job market.

Botchwey said the Commonwealth was working with private-sector partners, foundations and high-net-worth individuals to provide digital skills and entrepreneurship training to 10 million young people over five years. She also announced plans to mobilise more than US$1 billion in credit for renewable energy.

For Guyana, the announcement comes against the background of previous programmes that have already attracted significant participation from local learners.

In 2020, the Ministry of Education partnered with the Commonwealth of Learning and Coursera to introduce the Workforce Recovery Initiative, which provided access to 4,000 free online courses from universities and other recognised institutions.

The programme was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, when job losses and disruptions to education increased the need for people to acquire new skills or improve their qualifications.

The response in Guyana was significant. By September 2020, the Ministry of Education reported that 33,505 Guyanese had registered for courses, with 709 having graduated at that stage. The initiative was also benefiting learners across the Caribbean, with 3,000 people from 11 countries completing courses through the regional programme.

The number of Guyanese registrations subsequently increased. By the time the initiative ended in March 2021, more than 55,000 Guyanese had registered, while 10,567 people had acquired a total of 54,348 certificates, according to the Ministry of Education.

The Commonwealth of Learning later collaborated with the Education Ministry on its Skills for Work initiative, which offered six-month scholarships for 800 Guyanese at a time. Participants could pursue training in areas including digital marketing, graphic design, Android development and entrepreneurship through Coursera, Grow with Google and Udemy.

These programmes demonstrated the appetite among Guyanese for opportunities to gain qualifications and develop skills through online learning, while also connecting local learners to courses offered by international universities and technology companies.

The country has since expanded its digital-skills efforts.

In 2024, the Guyana-Coursera National Training Partnership was launched to provide free education and skills training to citizens and public-sector employees. By January 2025, the Department of Public Information reported that approximately 12,380 people had completed courses under the initiative, covering areas such as data analysis, leadership and management, patient care and software development.

More recently, the Government announced plans to train 8,000 Guyanese in essential digital skills during 2026 through the Industry and Innovation Unit. The training is intended to reach communities along the coast and in the hinterland, while the Government also reported that 166 of a planned 200 ICT hubs had been established in hinterland communities.

There have also been targeted efforts to introduce girls to emerging technologies. In June 2026, the Industry and Innovation Unit reported that 168 girls across four regions had received foundational training in artificial intelligence and digital skills through the Guyanese Girls Code Programme.

These initiatives are important as Guyana seeks to prepare its workforce for an economy increasingly shaped by technology, while ensuring that young people outside major urban centres are not left behind.

The Commonwealth’s proposed expansion could provide another avenue for training, but questions remain about how Guyana and other Caribbean countries will participate, which skills will be prioritised and how those trained will be connected to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

The Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) has secured Universal Construction and Contracting as the latest corporate sponsor for its upcoming T10 Fundraiser Tournament, set for November 22 at the LBI Ground.

Eight franchise sides will contest the day-night competition, which gets underway at 10 am and concludes under floodlights, with a top prize of G$1 million.

The participating teams are Premier Insurance, Lusignan Bulls, Guyana Police Force, Mike’s Tynor XI, Young Rivals, Mae’s Spartans, Upper Demerara Titans, and Transport Trailblazers.

Surendra Hiralall, Managing Director of Universal Construction and Contracting, handed over the sponsorship package to DCB Vice-President Puneet Jaigopaul during a ceremony at the board’s Regent Street office in Georgetown.

Also present at the handover were DCB Secretary Davteerth Anandjit, Competition Committee Chairman Avishkar Ramgobin, Junior Panel Chairman of Selectors Latchman Yadram, and Universal Construction representatives Jasmin Henry and Tinnisha Weever.

All gate receipts from the event—with admission set at G$1,000—will be channelled directly into grassroots development programmes for boys’ and girls’ cricket across Demerara.

In keeping with the tournament’s developmental focus, the DCB has instituted strict squad composition rules to ensure pathways for local and emerging talent.

Each 15-member squad must include at least 12 Demerara-based players, capping outside signings at three per team. Furthermore, franchises must select at least two Under-19 players. (Modified Press Release)

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Chase’s Academic Foundation produced two clinical displays to sweep the boys’ and girls’ North Georgetown titles in the ExxonMobil Under-18 Football Championships on Saturday, recording matching 4-0 victories in both finals.

Emilla Barrett struck twice as the Chase’s girls side cruised past Marian Academy, with Esther Livan and Thea Rodrigues also finding the net.

The boys team were equally dominant against Queen’s College, sharing the goals between Dane Vancooten, Fabio Kowlessar, Jermaine Jobe and Brendan Parks to seal the double.

It was a weekend of clean sweeps across the country, as Abram Zuil Secondary and Bygeval Secondary also captured both titles in Regions Two and Five respectively.

In Region Two, Abram Zuil beat Charity Secondary in both showpieces. Akela Williams scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 triumph for the girls, before strikes from Justin Sewprashad and Marcanthony Obermuller handed the boys a 2-0 win.

Meanwhile, Bygeval Secondary overcame Mahaicony Secondary twice to rule Region Five.

A brace from Reyanna Duncan inspired Bygeval’s girls to a 2-1 victory—despite a reply from Mahaicony’s Wanita Daniels—while the boys also beat the same opponents.

Saturday’s action followed a dramatic set of finals in Regions One and Six on Friday, with both Region One deciders settled from the penalty spot.

Waramuri Secondary edged out North West Secondary 5-4 on penalties to lift the Region One girls’ trophy following a goalless draw in regulation time.

The boys’ final proved a six-goal thriller as Santa Rosa Secondary and Hosororo Secondary played out a 3-3 stalemate before Santa Rosa prevailed 3-1 in the shootout.

Jason John scored twice alongside Shaved Marks for the eventual champions, cancelling out a double from Delving Bailey and a strike from Valintoo Soloman for Hosororo.

In Region Six, Vryman’s Erven Secondary claimed the girls’ crown with a 2-1 win over New Amsterdam Secondary. Latoya Williams and Venicia Myers were on target for Vryman’s Erven, with Rasheena Moore netting New Amsterdam’s consolation.

New Amsterdam Secondary bounced back in the boys’ final, thrashing Tutorial Academy 4-1.

Domonique Rodrigues, Jeremiah Hawker, Enqi Leacock and Eon Williams all got on the scoresheet, while Deandre Hemerding replied for Tutorial.

Attention now turns to the national stage, with the tournament moving into the round of 16 across Regions Two, Three, Five and 10.  (Modified Press Release) 

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE

Friendship Allstar have been crowned champions of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) U-17 Youth Ensemble competition after finishing top of the seven-team table.

The champions amassed 18 points and scored 22 goals during the six-week tournament, which concluded on October 24.

Timehri United finished six points adrift in second place, scoring 17 goals to secure the region’s second qualification spot for the upcoming national play-offs. Both sides will now face the leading clubs from other regional associations for the national title later this year.

Herstelling Raiders claimed third place on 10 points, finishing just ahead of fourth-placed Swan on nine.

Pro Elevate Sports Academy finished with seven points, while Kuru Kururu collected three and Circuitville Jaguars rounded out the standings.

In total, 78 goals were scored across the 21 matches played since the tournament kicked off on 18 September, involving more than 120 youth players.

Friendship Allstar forward Brandon Bruce was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after finding the net eight times, while Timehri United goalkeeper Keron Accra picked up the Golden Glove award for his displays between the posts.

The regional tournament forms part of the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) wider Youth Ensemble Programme, an initiative aimed at giving emerging players 42 to 48 competitive fixtures per season to support talent identification and coach development.

GFF president Wayne Forde admitted that delivering the nationwide project comes with logistical hurdles, but praised the regional volunteers and coordinators, including tournament overseer Ms Garraway, for getting the competition over the line.

“The Youth Ensemble Programme is an ambitious undertaking, and we recognise the considerable challenges involved in coordinating and delivering it consistently across the country,” Forde said.

“However, I am genuinely encouraged by the response from our Regional Associations, clubs and the many volunteers who continue to give their time and energy to making this vision a reality.

“This is about much more than organising tournaments; it is about building a structured and sustainable development environment in which young players can improve, talent can be identified, and developing coaches can gain the practical experience needed to strengthen the quality of football across the country.” (Modified Press Release) 

Source: NEW ROOMS SITE