Tag: Sports

Sports Commission saddened by passing of Dominoes Federation vice president

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Roberto Osborne

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has expressed profound sorrow over the unexpected passing of Roberto Osborne, Vice President of the Guyana National Dominoes Federation. His death is a significant loss, not only to the sport of dominoes but also to the broader sporting community.

Reports indicate that Osborne passed away unexpectedly after retiring for the night on Monday and was found unresponsive the following day, an event that sent shockwaves throughout the dominoes community and beyond. He was a respected figure, known for his long-standing dedication to the local dominoes scene, where he held various key roles at both the national and Georgetown levels. His passion and commitment greatly contributed to strengthening the sport’s framework and fostering unity among players and administrators.

Director of Sport Steve Nincalle remarked on the profound impact of Osborne’s contributions, emphasising that his loss extends beyond administrative functions. He described Osborne as a devoted servant of the sport who tirelessly worked for its advancement. Nincalle extended heartfelt condolences to Osborne’s family, friends, and the dominoes community, affirming solidarity during this difficult time. The NSC noted that Osborne’s legacy will live on through the many players and officials he mentored, serving as a lasting reminder of the essential role administrators play in the development of Guyana’s sports.

Sponsorship fires up national rifle team ahead of Caribbean meet

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

 

The Guyana National Rifle Association (GuyanaNRA) has received financial support from the Continental Group of Companies as it prepares to defend its title at the West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championships in Antigua and Barbuda next month.

At a recent ceremony, Accounts Clerk Sandra Dwarka presented a sponsorship cheque to Caribbean Fullbore Shooting Individual Champion Peter Persaud, expressing confidence in the team’s ability to perform well and noting the importance of funding for preparation.

Persaud thanked the company for its support, saying it would aid the team’s readiness.

The association will also host a 22-member English rifle team for a goodwill match ahead of the April 13–19 championships.

 

The handing over of the cheque

Bodybuilding Federation appoints Disciplinary Committee

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

 

The Guyana Body Building and Fitness Federation has named its disciplinary committee, a move aimed at strengthening oversight and maintaining professional standards in the sport, federation president Roger Callender said.

Speaking to Ignite News, Callender said the appointment was made in accordance with the federation’s constitution, which grants the president the authority to establish a disciplinary body.

“The committee will serve as an essential regulatory body designed to uphold the integrity, professionalism, and sportsmanship of the sport in Guyana. This includes overseeing athletes’ codes of conduct, adherence to WADA anti-doping rules, and compliance with IFBB standards,” Callender said.

The committee will operate under a five-member panel, ensuring that no single individual holds absolute decision-making power, Callender added. He said the structure is intended to uphold the laws and mandate of the federation’s constitution and to guarantee fair and transparent operations for all athletes.

Kuru Kururu defeat Agricola as Inter-Village football kicks off at Eccles

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The East Bank Inter-Village Football Competition made a grand return at the Eccles EE Ground on Saturday night, marking a significant milestone as the venue hosted its first-ever competitive match. The event followed a vibrant march-past by the participating villages and forms part of a government initiative aimed at enhancing local sports facilities.

Among those present to kick off the tournament were Minister Kwame McCoy and footballer Jerome Harrigan. The competition features teams playing in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each of the four groups advancing to the knockout stage.
In Group A, Kuru Kururu faced the formidable Agricola. Kuru Kururu made their mark early, with Leroy Evans scoring in the 22nd minute. They extended their lead with another goal from Kevin Scott in the 57th minute. Although Agricola’s Shemar Sampson narrowed the gap shortly afterwards, veteran Marvin Joseph sealed the victory for Kuru Kururu just before the final whistle. Agricola must now defeat Mocha to keep their hopes of advancing alive.
In another fiercely contested match, Herstelling battled Lower Soesdyke. While the first 35 minutes were tightly contested, Herstelling broke through with two late goals from Johenni Mendoza and Malcolm Hendricks to secure the win. The victory puts Herstelling in a favourable position for a quarter-final spot, while Lower Soesdyke must overcome Swan to remain in contention.
The competition continues with Grove set to face Circuitville and Timehri taking on Kaneville in upcoming matches.

A scene from Saturday’s match

DeSantos, Moore among stars on opening day of National Schools’ Championships

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

The 2026 National Schools’ Championships opened at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora, with standout performances across age groups.
Akroy DeSantos of Zeeburg Secondary won the boys’ under-14 1500 metres in 4:44.98 seconds, ahead of Lovell Bernard (Sand Creek Secondary) and Edenan Hercules (Dolphin Secondary). In the girls’ under-14 discus, Shanea Moore (Charlestown Secondary) claimed gold with 24.56 metres.
In the boys’ under-20 100 metres, Onesi Dunn (Chase Academic Foundation) clocked 10.58 seconds for gold, while Nyoscie Wright (New Amsterdam Multilateral) won the girls’ under-20 100 metres in 12.74 seconds.
Other winners included Areanna Bart (girls’ U14 1500m), Ebo McNeil (boys’ U20 1500m) and Adanya Glen (girls’ U20 1500m). The championships continue tomorrow with the 200 and 800 metres.

Shanea Moore in action

Sandiford, Clement start strong in National Chess Qualifiers

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Keron Sandiford and Ciel Clement have emerged as early leaders in the National Open Chess Championship Qualifiers and the Diamond Fire-sponsored Women’s Chess Championship Qualifiers after four rounds of play.
Leading the Open category, Sandiford remains unbeaten with four points, highlighted by a significant victory over FM Anthony Drayton in the third round. Following closely is Junior Champion Kyle Couchman, who also remains unbeaten with 3.5 points, tied with U16 Open Champion CM Sachin Pitamber. These events, organised by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), recently kicked off at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH).
On the women’s side, Ciel Clement leads with 3.5 points, her only setback being a strategic draw against WCM Sasha Shariff. WCM Jessica Callender trails with three points, having suffered a tough defeat to Shariff in round two. Kataleya Sam, the reigning U14 and U16 Girls Champion, sits in third place and remains unbeaten.
The remaining rounds are scheduled for March 7 and 8, with the top nine players from each category earning spots in the upcoming National Championships.

Coaches to receive injury prevention training

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

Forty-five participants have registered for an upcoming physiotherapy seminar for coaches, signalling strong early interest in what is being described as a first-of-its-kind initiative to strengthen athlete welfare and performance standards in Guyana.
The one-day programme at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and is organised by the National Sports Commission in collaboration with the Physiotherapy Department of the Ministry of Health.
The initiative aims to bridge the gap between clinical sports medicine and everyday coaching practice by equipping coaches with the knowledge to manage athlete health and prevent injuries.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle said the response so far was encouraging but urged national associations and federations to register additional coaches and technical staff.
“With 45 persons already registered, we are encouraged by the response so far, but we are still hopeful that sports associations and others interested can come on board,” Ninvalle said. He added that coaches are often the first responders when injuries occur and must be prepared to make informed decisions.
The seminar will feature presentations by local physiotherapists and sports medicine practitioners, including Vanessa Wickham, Jana Edghill, Angelica Holder, Neil Barry and Kelly Coonjah, covering areas such as injury prevention and safe return-to-play protocols.
Additional sessions will examine youth athlete considerations, injury-tracking systems and criteria-based return-to-play frameworks.
The NSC said the seminar is expected to help reduce injury incidence, prevent reinjury and support long-term athlete performance sustainability nationwide, reinforcing a broader push toward athlete-centred sport development.

Chance sets Bayroc track record in 400m win

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

400 metres specialist Arinze Chance set a new track record at the Bayroc Synthetic Facility in Linden on Saturday, winning his season opener in 46.49 seconds.
Chance said he was focused on executing his race strategically rather than just the win. “The idea was to execute the race as best as possible… knowing it’s a big crowd at a new facility being commissioned,” he said.
He also praised the new facility, noting its “springy” surface and the electric atmosphere. “Because it hasn’t been used heavily, it definitely still has a lot of springiness, and I utilised that to the best of my ability,” Chance added.
Chance is scheduled to compete again at the Bayroc Facility on February 14, with the opportunity to improve on his own track record.

Chess Federation lauds ‘forward-looking’ sports budget

Posted on by Kayleigh Carter

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) has applauded the government’s $6B budgetary allocation towards national sports development. This significant investment reflects a sustained commitment to a sector that has experienced remarkable growth in recent years.

By prioritising the development and administration of sports, expanding local and international participation, and decentralising training programmes, the GCF said the budget aligns perfectly with the goal of providing every Guyanese citizen with equal access to athletic opportunities.
The federation views this budget as a clear realisation of President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s vision to regionalise sports access across Guyana.

For the federation, 2026 marks a transformative milestone with the scheduled completion of a dedicated facility and the acquisition of a team bus.
The new building will provide the federation with a much-needed home for competitive play, high-level training, and casual engagement. This venue addresses a critical need, as securing consistent space has become increasingly difficult with the rising number of players.

The acquisition of a dedicated vehicle will serve as a catalyst for growth, enabling the GCF to mobilise coaches and equipment to outlying regions, bringing formal training and competitive opportunities directly to aspiring players.
In a recent meeting with National Sports Commission (NSC) officials, the GCF outlined key areas for strategic assistance. The NSC has readily pledged its support, and the GCF looks forward to this partnership to elevate Guyanese chess to new heights in the coming year.

Saints overcome Roses in thrilling SBL clash

Posted on by Aliyah Persaud

In a nail-biting clash at the Burnham Hard Court, St. Stanislaus College secured their inaugural victory in the School Basketball League (SBL), edging St. Roses High School 48–39. The game tipped off with a fierce back-and-forth exchange, but the Saints narrowly claimed the first quarter 10–9.

Anchored by strong defence, the Saints stifled St. Roses, holding them to single-digit scoring in three of the four quarters. Despite an explosive third quarter in which the Roses poured in 22 points to level the game at 34, St. Stanislaus raised their defensive intensity once more, restricting Roses to just five points in the final period.

Ralson Pollard led the Saints with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Demetri Crandon made a solid contribution with 12 points and four steals. Cristian Williams topped the scoring for St. Roses with 12 points in a spirited effort.

In another matchup, Queen’s College dominated Marian Academy, cruising to a commanding 48–14 victory to record their second consecutive win. Darren Dublin led the charge with 17 points, while Nathan Morrison added 11 points and seven rebounds.