Tag: Sports

Younge edges Bullen in thrilling start to GTA Independence Open

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The Guyana Tennis Association, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, on Sunday launched its 60th Independence Anniversary Open Tournament at the National Park Courts in Georgetown.

 

The tournament opened with Under-12 matches, where Z. Hinkerson defeated H. Chan 6-2 in the boys’ category, while Y. Mangru secured a 6-3 victory over R. Narayan.

 

In the Under-12 girls’ division, L. Singh registered a comfortable 6-2 win against K. Doris, while I. Grannum defeated M. Shivnauth 6-0.

 

One of the most competitive matches of the morning saw Breyanna Younge edge Mia Bullen 7-5 after a closely contested encounter. Denesia Boston also advanced with a commanding 6-1 win over Brielle Paul.

 

President of the Guyana Tennis Association, Cristy Campbell, thanked the National Sports Commission, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and the Government of Guyana for supporting the tournament as part of the country’s 60th Independence celebrations.

 

The competition features Under-12, novice, open, Over-35, and Over-45 categories. Matches are scheduled for weekdays from 15:30 hrs to 18:00 hrs, while weekend play runs from 09:30 hrs to 18:00 hrs. The tournament concludes on May 24.

Ballers Empire stun Leopold Street to claim national street football crown

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Ballers Empire emerged as the new National Guinness Greatest of the Streets champions after securing a thrilling victory in the early hours of Saturday at the National Park Tarmac.

Representing the East Bank/West Demerara zone, Ballers Empire wasted no time asserting themselves in the championship clash, stunning Georgetown champions Leopold Street with an early strike that immediately shifted momentum in their favour.

Leopold Street, however, responded with determination and eventually found the equaliser in an intense final that kept fans on edge, as both teams searched desperately for the decisive goal.

In the closing stages, Ballers Empire delivered the breakthrough moment, netting the winner to seal the prestigious title along with the $1 million grand prize. Leopold Street, despite falling short, walked away with $400,000 for their runner-up finish.

Earlier, Bent Street ‘B’ secured third place after edging Supenaam of Essequibo 2–1 on penalty kicks following a 1–1 draw in regulation time.

For their efforts, Bent Street ‘B’ collected $200,000, while Supenaam received $100,000 for finishing fourth.

FIFA boots Alves for sexual harassment

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

 

In a decisive action that highlights its dedication to ethical standards in football, FIFA’s independent Ethics Committee has banned Ian Alves, the former General Secretary of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), from all football-related activities for five years. This ruling follows an extensive investigation that uncovered Alves’s sexual harassment of female staff members, breaching FIFA’s rigorous Code of Ethics.

The adjudicatory chamber not only imposed the five-year ban but also levied a fine of CHF 20,000. This conclusion came after a meticulous review of evidence, including statements from victims and documentation provided by the GFF. The committee determined that Alves violated key articles of the Code, particularly those designed to safeguard the physical and mental integrity of individuals and to combat the abuse of authority in the sport.

With the ban taking effect immediately, FIFA has reaffirmed its uncompromising position against any form of abuse in football. “FIFA is deeply committed to ensuring a safe environment for all participants in the sport,” stated a spokesperson for the Ethics Committee. “The findings in this case serve as a reminder that misconduct will not be tolerated at any level.”

The procedural diligence of the Ethics Committee ensures that each case is treated with the utmost seriousness. Victims in this situation bravely came forward, providing essential testimony that corroborated the allegations against Alves. To further enhance accountability and safety within the sport, FIFA has implemented a confidential and secure whistle-blowing system for reporting safeguarding issues.

In the coming weeks, FIFA is expected to release detailed justifications for its ruling, emphasising its pledge to transparency and ethical governance.

Additionally, the GFF has acknowledged the Ethics Committee’s decision, stating that the federation “formally reported this matter and fully cooperated with FIFA throughout the investigative process.”

Dharry unanimously crowned IBO champion in night of fistic fury

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Elton Dharry was crowned the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super bantamweight world champion in the early hours of Sunday after defeating Tanzania’s Salmin Kassim by unanimous decision at the Pegasus Hotel.

Dharry, 40, was awarded the bout 117-109, 117-109 and 118-109 on the judges’ scorecards to become Guyana’s eighth world boxing champion.

President Irfaan Ali attended the event, which drew a capacity crowd that remained vocal throughout the 12-round contest.

Dharry was knocked down in the second round but recovered to take control in the middle rounds, particularly the fifth, where he landed sustained body and head combinations that put Kassim under pressure.

Both fighters sustained cuts following accidental head clashes, but Dharry’s composure, ring control and accurate jab saw him maintain advantage to the final bell.

In the co-main event, Keevin Allicock captured the Guyana featherweight title after his opponent Dexter Marques was unable to continue due to a cut over his right eye.

Earlier, Desmond Amsterdam stopped Jamaica’s Kevin Hilton via first-round technical knockout, after a dominant opening round performance.

The night, however, belonged to Dharry, who added a world title to his career achievements in front of an enthusiastic home crowd.

Inter-ward football making return at Bayrock Stadium

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The return of competitive football to the bauxite mining town of Linden is just around the corner, with the Linden Town Week Inter-Ward Tournament set to kick off on April 24, 2026.
The event is a collaborative effort between the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation and the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), featuring six wards divided into two groups. Teams will compete for a prize of two million dollars and various other awards, generating strong local enthusiasm for the sport.
The tournament will commence with a ceremonial march and opening at Bayrock Stadium, which is hosting its first competitive event since its launch in January 2026.
Group A includes teams from Amelia’s Ward, Central and South Mackenzie, and Half Mile, while Group B consists of Block 22, Blue Berry Hill, and Silvertown. In preparation for the matches, each ward has received essential gear and footballs, which will be handed over to the UDFA after the tournament to support future sporting activities.
The action begins with the inaugural match between Half Mile and Central and South Mackenzie at 7:00 pm, followed by a prime fixture featuring Blue Berry Hill against Silvertown at 9:30 pm. Matches will also take place on April 27 and 29, leading up to the final showdown on May 1.
The winning team will claim $1 million, while the second-place team will receive $400,000. Cash prizes will also be awarded for third and fourth place, ensuring a competitive atmosphere throughout the tournament.

Hat-tricks headline Massy Under-18 Round of 16 action

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Chase Academic Foundation made a bold statement with a resounding 9-0 victory over Patentia Secondary in the Round of 16 of the Massy Under-18 School Football Tournament, held at the Queen’s College ground.

Shaquan David was the star of the match, netting a hat-trick to spearhead Chase’s impressive performance.

St. Joseph High School also secured their place in the quarter-finals with a 4-2 triumph over East Ruimveldt Secondary, thanks to a brace from Semech Starke. They will now take on West Ruimveldt Secondary in the next round.

West Ruimveldt advanced by defeating West Demerara 4-1, highlighted by a hat-trick from Donavan Welcome.

In other matches, Charlestown Secondary edged past Belladrum with a close 2-1 win, while Santa Rosa squeezed by Yarrowkabra Secondary, winning 3-2.

Ann’s Grove Secondary booked their quarter-final spot with a solid 2-0 victory over New Amsterdam, with Kennard Halley scoring both goals. The quarter-finals are set to kick off on Sunday (April 19) at 10:30 hrs at the same venue.

Members of the Chase Academic Foundation team

Night two delivers upsets and narrow wins in Georgetown street football

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The Guinness Greatest of the Streets Georgetown preliminary round continued with night two on Friday evening, delivering exhilarating action as teams battled for supremacy.

In the first game, Bent St B showcased their dominance with a decisive 3-0 victory over Unity Ballers, setting the tone for the evening.

Meanwhile, Team Cruel pulled off a surprise upset against Corinthians, winning 4-1 and proving themselves as formidable contenders. Laing Avenue edged out Gaza Squad with a narrow 1-0 win, while Z-Tekk also secured their place in the next round by defeating North Ruimveldt by the same scoreline.

Albouystown continued to shine, defeating Young Stars 2-1 in a closely contested match that demonstrated their resilience and tactical prowess. North East La Penitence managed to scrape through with a 1-0 victory over K-Town All-Stars, showcasing their defensive strength. Leopold maintained their momentum with a 1-0 win against Kingston, further solidifying their position in the tournament. The day concluded with the National All-Stars delivering a commanding performance, triumphing 2-0 over Team Madrid to wrap up the preliminary rounds on a high note.

Looking ahead to Day 3 on Wednesday evening, the Round of 16 promises to be packed with intensity and excitement as teams vie for a place in the quarter-finals. Key match-ups include Z-Tekk taking on Bent St B at 19:00hrs, followed by Albouystown facing Leopold at 19:30hrs.

The night will also feature intriguing contests such as Team Cruel against New Bay Ballers, and Island All-Stars clashing with Broad St. All games will be played at the National Cultural Centre tarmac.

Edghill ‘excited’ for what’s ahead in wake of CAC Games qualification

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

 

Two-time Olympian Chelsea Edghill is pleased to have qualified for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games following a special qualification event over the weekend in the Dominican Republic.
Speaking with Ignite News, Edghill shared her thoughts on securing qualification ahead of the 2026 event.
“It was really good qualifying in the singles. I’m a bit disappointed in the teams, but the girls gave it their best. Now it’s just about preparing for the CAC Games, and I am excited for what that holds and the training ahead,” Edghill stated.
Edghill received a bye into the quarter-final round and went on to defeat Aruba’s Josielienne Boekhoudt 4–0.
Additionally, the men’s team, comprising Shemar Britton, Niram Bissu, Jonathan Van Lange and Elishaba Johnson, also qualified for the CAC Games after defeating Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago to secure a second-place group finish, earning their spot at the tournament.

GMR&SC returns dexterity event with obstacle courses for all classes

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

 

Registration is now open for the Dexterity and Auto Expo hosted by the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC), set for April 11 at the National Track and Field Center parking lot in Leonora.
Sponsored by ENET, GUYOIL and Castrol, the event will feature a series of challenges for all classes of cars and bikes, emphasizing skill, agility and control rather than raw power. Participants will compete across multiple obstacle courses, with vehicles divided into classes ranging from 0-1500cc up to unlimited, and separate categories for cars and bikes.
A GMR&SC spokesman said the event aims to highlight “the lighter side of motorsport” and attract both competitors and fans. “Already this week, we’ve received interest from numerous competitors wanting to find out what the event is and how they can be a part of it,” he added.
The expo will also host motorcycle stunt riding, competitive go-karting and drifting exhibitions, followed by an auto expo to give fans access to drivers and vehicles. Admission is $2,000, with gates opening at 16:00 hours.
Registration is available at the club’s Thomaslands office and online at https://forms.gle/cWd43mxYdEMxeDWd9⁠�.

Local athletes arrive in Grenada for CARIFTA Games

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Team Guyana has arrived in Grenada for the CARIFTA Games, slated for this weekend.
The 23-member team departed this morning from the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, with a stop in Trinidad and Tobago before touching down in Grenada.
Team Roster:
Girls U-17:
• Tesianna Harris (100m, 200m)
• Angel Jeffrey (100m, 200m)
• Olivia Solomon (400m, 800m)
Boys U-17:
• Omari Welch (100m, 200m, Long Jump)
• Malique Kendall (100m)
• Jumeel Cornette (200m)
• Jarel Campbell (400m, Long Jump)
• Jeremiah Shepherd (800m, 1500m)
• Bryson Anderson (800m)
• Keimal Gishard (Triple Jump, High Jump)
• Nathaniel Samaroo (Shot Put, Discus)
Girls U-20:
• Athaleyha Hinckson (100m, 200m)
• Akeela Dover (100m, 200m)
• Tianna Springer (400m)
Boys U-20:
• Onesi Dunn (100m)
• Gordon Thompson (100m)
• Tishawn Easton (200m, 400m)
• Daquan Farrell (200m)
• Malachi Austin (400m)
• Javon Roberts (800m, 1500m)
• Kaidon Persaud (800m, Javelin)
• Ebo McNeil (1500m, 5000m)
• Walton Alleyne (Long Jump)
Relay Teams:
• U-17 Boys 4x100m Relay: Omari Welch, Jumeel Cornette, Malique Kendall, Jarel Campbell, Keimal Gishard
• U-20 Boys 4x100m Relay: Onesi Dunn, Gordon Thompson, Skylar Charles, Daquan Farrell, Walton Alleyne, Tishawn Easton
• U-20 Boys 4x400m Relay: Malachi Austin, Tishawn Easton, Skylar Charles, Daquan Farrell, Kaidon Persaud, Javon Roberts
• 4x400m Mixed Relay: Tishawn Easton, Malachi Austin, Tianna Springer, Akeela Dover
Technical & Management Team:
• Nial Stanton (Manager)
• Cheryl Sam (Safeguarding Officer)
• Quincy Clarke (Coach)
• Kesia Burnett (Coach)
• Anson Ambrose (Coach)
• Robin Phillips (Coach)