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President Ali, Montagliani share plans for football development in Guyana Oct 19, 2024 Sports President Irfaan Ali flanked by members of CONCACAF and the GFF. By Rawle Toney Kaieteur Sprots – In a significant step towards advancing the country’s football infrastructure and overall sports development, President of Guyana, Dr. Irfaan Ali, yesterday met with FIFA Vice President and CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani at State House. President Irfaan Ali (R) and Concacaf President, Victor Montagliani sharing a light moment at State House.  (State House photos) The meeting, which was attended by a high-level delegation from both FIFA and CONCACAF, highlighted the Government of Guyana’s growing focus on building a sustainable sports economy, with football at its core. During the discussions, President Ali expressed his administration’s strong commitment to elevating sports in Guyana, especially football, with the goal of transforming it into a thriving sector that contributes to national development. President Ali emphasized the need for partnerships and investments from international bodies like CONCACAF, which he sees as essential in shaping the future of sports in the country. President Ali also underscored the Government’s special relationship with the national football team, the Golden Jaguars. The conversation also turned to Guyana’s strategic geographical location, which the President believes positions the country as a key player in regional football development. He urged CONCACAF to invest more in football within the Caribbean and the surrounding region, advocating for greater focus on stimulating action and competitiveness. In response, CONCACAF President Montagliani praised Guyana’s enthusiasm and vision for sports development, highlighting the importance of collaboration between governments and international sporting bodies. He assured President Ali that CONCACAF is committed to playing a supportive role in developing football infrastructure and programmes in Guyana, starting with grassroots initiatives and capacity building. One of the key areas discussed was the Government of Guyana’s long-term plans for building a sports economy that can generate jobs, stimulate tourism, and foster national unity. President Ali outlined his administration’s vision for Guyana to become a hub for sports tourism, with football, cricket, and athletics leading the charge. He noted that investments in sports infrastructure, such as stadiums and training facilities, would play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. Montagliani expressed his excitement about the Government’s plans, particularly its potential to boost football in the region, pointing to the importance of nurturing youth talent and building professional pathways for players, coaches, and administrators. Another important area of discussion was the broader development of football in the Caribbean. President Ali urged CONCACAF to pay special attention to the region, highlighting the need for more investment in regional tournaments, coaching programmes, and youth academies. He believes that stronger regional football will benefit all member nations, including Guyana, by raising the standard of competition and creating more opportunities for players to showcase their talent. President Ali concluded the meeting by reaffirming Guyana’s commitment to working closely with FIFA and CONCACAF to build a vibrant and successful football culture in the country, one that can inspire future generations and put Guyana on the global sporting map. Related Similar Articles

Oct 19, 2024 News Kaieteur News – Despite facing delays to bring the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project (AFHP) into fruition, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud has revealed that the Government of Guyana (GoG) intends to have a second hydropower plant. This is according to a report by OilNow. Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud (Institute of Americas photo) It was stated that Persaud made the disclosure during an event on October 16, when he delivered the keynote address at the La Jolla Energy Conference in San Diego. His address focused on Guyana balancing oil production and environmental sustainability. It is anticipated that the two hydro plants will add approximately 370 MW of capacity by 2035. Which will also form part of the government’s diverse energy matrix. “Even as we embraced this new reality [with oil] in our country’s development trajectory, we have remained resolute in our support for the global transition from fossil fuels,” Persaud said – OilNow reported. The Institute of Americas reported that LJC24 began with an important opening keynote address from Guyana’s Foreign Secretary. He shared Guyana’s vision for balancing massive hydrocarbon production and economic development with their commitment and resolve to maintain the country as a leader in biodiversity and carbon negative. Last year, it was announced that the government would revive the Amaila Falls project after talks fell through with the contractor, a year earlier. An artist’s impression of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project The government later issued a Revised Requests for Proposals (RFP) under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model for the Amaila Falls project. Four local and international firms submitted proposals for the 165 megawatts (MW) Amaila Falls project that was scheduled to begin in 2027. However, the project is currently stalled. Last month, Vice President (VP) Bharrat Jagdeo said, “…So, we’ll probably have to either engage the best of those [the four contractors that were prequalified], or ultimately probably go out back to another process…” The Amaila Falls Hydro project was introduced by a previous People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration in 2011. However, the project had been shelved on many occasions. The project faced obstacles in its realization when the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance For Change (AFC) Opposition parties, stopped the project back in 2014.  In their 2020 election manifesto, the PPP-administration noted that the project will be revived. In 2021, negotiations hit a stalemate after Cabinet granted a no-objection for the Prime Minister’s Office to engage the China Railway Group Limited for construction. Discussions faltered as the company sought to alter the project’s model due to financing challenges for the BOOT model, requesting a shift to an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) model. The government was reluctant to switch to the EPC option, resulting in the talks with the Chinese contractor coming to an end. In the revised RFP, the government said generation for the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) Inc., will be largely derived in the future from two large projects including the Amaila and the Gas-to-Energy (GTE) project that will come on stream by 2027 and 2025, respectively.  The power generated at the Amaila project will integrate and expand the national grid to include Linden. The Amaila-Linden-Georgetown transmission voltage will be 230 KV and connect to the national GPL Control Center at Eccles, East Bank Demerara (EBD). Related Similar Articles

Battle for individual, regional supremacy begins today Oct 19, 2024 Sports 2024 CAC BB&F Championships Kaieteur Sprots – After months of preparations, it is now time for the athletes, who’ve undergone rigorous training, to display their chiselled and flawless physiques in front of an anticipated large audience this evening, at the National Cultural Centre. Christina Ramsammy Julio Sinclair Emmerson Campbell From 14:00hrs to 21:00hrs the Pre-judging and Finals Part 1 of the 2024 Central America & Caribbean Body Building & Fitness Championships will be staged. With over 150 athletes and 20 countries confirmed, the NCC will be a hive of activities as the juggernauts of body building and fitness showcase their physiques as they battle for individual and regional supremacy in the sport. Host Guyana will be relying on seasoned campaigners such as Mr. Physique Emmerson Campbell, body builder Julio Sinclair, Miss Physique Christina Ramsammy and Melitha Fernandes Anderson among others to bring glory to the nation. On the other hand, countries such as regional powerhouse Barbados, St. Lucia, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, El Salvador, Haiti and Antigua & Barbuda, are all considered strong contenders capable of making life difficult for the locals. The quest for Pro-Card status as usual is an intriguing segment of the championships and Campbell, Sinclair, both of whom have been knocking at the door for a few years now must feel its time to claim this elusive accolade. According to both, it will be a significant achievement in their careers and achieving such in front of their home support will be something special. The competition commences today and concludes tomorrow with the big showdown for individual titles and regional supremacy. Related Similar Articles

GFF launches exciting nationwide Girls U13 Football Championship Oct 19, 2024 Sports FIFA Vice President, Victor Montagliani (right) and GFF President Wayne Forde (left) host representative from various schools at NTC for yesterday’s Courts U13 Football launch. Kaieteur Sprots – The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has made a significant step to promote women’s football in the country, by rolling out an innovative Courts Under-13 Girls Nationwide Football Championship. The announcement was made during an official launch event held yesterday at the National Training Center in Providence. The championship aims to harness the abilities of young female athletes while creating a new generation players in a fun and friendly atmosphere that encourages both growth and competition. This tournament will provide young girls from various communities across Guyana the opportunity to develop their football skills in a structured and competitive environment. Over the past few years, there has been a significant push to improve women’s football, and the Courts Secondary School’s Under-13 Football initiative marks a critical step in creating pathways for young girls in football. Meanwhile, during a featured address, the GFF President Wayne Forde emphasized the importance of this new and innovative tournament. “Over the next couple of weeks, we (the federation) will be formalizing the structure for the nationwide secondary school Under-13 championship. This initiative will enable young girls to entertain their classmates, parents, siblings, and friends,” Forde said. He also expressed excitement about visiting the various competition venues once the tournament kicks off. Forde drew parallels with the recently concluded Under-15 Blue Water Championship, which saw 40 young women from around the country, including the hinterland regions representing Guyana in the CONCACAF U-15 Championship. He noted that these tournaments provide young athletes with the opportunity to showcase their talents on a larger stage, which could lead to future opportunities in international competitions. President of CONCACAF and Vice President of FIFA, Victor Montagliani also spoke at the event, highlighting the broader significance of women’s football. “Women’s football is not just the future of football; it’s the present. To see you running around and enjoying the game tells me that football here is on the rise,” Montagliani said, addressing the young athletes in attendance. He encouraged them to view football as a lifelong gift, with opportunities to pursue careers in various aspects of the game. The programme set to kick off countrywide in the coming weeks, excitement is building for this transformative tournament. Related Similar Articles

Final four to be decided today Oct 19, 2024 Sports Witness some exciting quarter final action in the 2024 Courts Optical U11 Football tournament today at MoE. Petra-Courts 11th Annual Optical Pee Wee U11 Football C/ship Kaieteur Sprots – The Courts Optical Pee Wee U11 Football Championship has been an exhilarating journey, featuring 32 teams and four weeks of intense action. Today, the competition reaches a critical juncture as the final four teams will be decided in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for the 2024 semi-finals. Sponsored by Unicomer Guyana Inc. under the Courts Optical brand, the quarterfinal matches will take place today at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue. The top teams including; Santa Rosa Primary, West Ruimveldt Primary, Belladrum Primary, Enterprise Primary, Marian Academy, Rosignol Primary and St Pius Primary will battle for a coveted spot in the semi-final round. Over the past weeks, the tournament has seen thrilling matches and standout individual performances. One of the most exciting stories has been Enterprise Primary, an underdog team that quickly made a name for itself. In their opening match, they dominated FE Pollard with a resounding 10-0 win, thanks to the dynamic duo of Dontay Kowlessar and Shine Arthur, who each netted four goals. The Kowlessar-Arthur partnership will be crucial again as they face Marian Academy today in a match that could secure their semi-final spot. Another clash to watch is between Rosignol Primary and last year’s champions, St Pius Primary. Rosignol has been a formidable team, but St Pius has been nothing short of dominant, racking up 21 goals in four games during the preliminary rounds with commanding victories over Smith Memorial, FE Pollard, and Georgetown International Academy (GIA). Their quarterfinal matchup promises to be intense, as St Pius looks to continue their title defence. St Pius Primary has also made waves in the 2024 edition, cruising through the round-robin stage with ease. They opened with a massive 12-0 win over St Mary Primary, followed by a 4-1 victory over Winfer Garden. In subsequent rounds, they continued their winning streak with a convincing victory against Tucville Primary and a 2-0 triumph over School of the Nation. St John the Baptist Primary is another team to keep an eye on, boasting a rock-solid defense that has helped them secure four wins from four games. They will face off against a strong Belladrum side today in their quest for a semi-final berth. The tournament is proudly sponsored by Courts Optical, with additional support from MVP Sports, Stena Drilling, Sterling Products Limited, and Igloo Ice Cream. Organized by the Petra Organisation, the event is endorsed by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports.   Related Similar Articles

Grants to adults a better option than to households Oct 19, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The government is praised for doling out a grant to adult nationals. The distribution of $100K cheques to adults is a better proposal than the $200K grant to households albeit both are fraught with problems. The $100K to every adult may also cost the Treasury more than the $200K, but the former will lessen risks of fraud and skullduggery. Also, defining a household through a utility (electricity, water) bill is fraught with too many problems and the government is right to abandon that idea. The Vice President presented very good reasons for abrogating the proposal of the $200K grant to every household and its replacement with the $100K grant for every adult. It is extremely difficult in Guyana to identify or even define “a household”. Thousands of ‘households’ did not receive the $25K grant of 2021. Many individuals (head of households) complain till this day about not getting the grant and have refused to go to court to force the government to give them the essential grant. Any household that did not receive the 2021 grant will win any action filed in court; government will be instructed by the court to give them their legitimate grant. Those who did not receive their grant should consider filing a class action lawsuit; there may be a statute of limitation. Anyone who studies Anthropology and or Sociology, subjects under which families are studied, would know that a household is very loosely defined. Households are not specifically defined in a traditional society. And Guyana is classified as a traditional society although there are many clearly defined ‘nuclear families’ (households) as in a ‘modern’, industrialized western society as USA. Most households in Guyana have extended or joint families with multiple households in each family sharing the same house or lot. Also, many dwellings have multiple families or rentals with single utilities. Indigenous population and tens of thousands of Africans, Indians, Mixed have extended and joint families with multiple households. Newly married couples may continue living with their families or in-laws; are they not a household? Many families share a home (roof) with in-laws but do their own cooking and maintain their own finances. Are they not households? There are many families that share utility bills with not every name on the bill. Are they not households? There are families who rent with utilities included in the rent. Are they not households? To give the grant to only one household in a joint or extended family or in a dwelling with multiple families or households is to deny others in the home or in a house lot or dwelling their legitimate deserving grant. Giving the grant to adults (defined as 18 and above) eliminates the above-mentioned issues. A better option for the grant would have been to distribute it (perhaps a larger amount) according to needs and or some other criteria. The rich do not care much for the grant, and it would not impact on their lives. Many poor families are hurting badly with rising cost-of-living and utility and medical bills. They need a grant more than the wealthy. Subsidizing utility bills of ‘households’, including funding electricity and potable water to those not currently recipients, increasing the grant to schoolchildren, and allocating a sum of $$$ to each relatively poor family (to be defined by income) for medical (dental) would have been better options. All options have advantages and disadvantages. Supporting or advocating one over the other would have its detractors or critics. Yours faithfully,Vishnu Bisram Related Similar Articles

Government’s $100,000 to all adults over 18 years of age Oct 19, 2024 Letters Dear Editor, The Government of Guyana has revised the cash grant form $200,000 per household to $100,000 to every adult individual in Guyana. The revised version of the payout shows a more equitable disbursement to the citizens of this country, and as the saying goes this payout would net in all the able-bodied men and women in the country. The cash grant represents a caring government at work in the interest of its peoples, or so it seems? I say “so it seems” for a reason, that is, in the present formula, it does not include those under 18 years of age who form a significant part of the population that should be catered for and are not. Most of those under 18 years are mainly dependents living in a household, and they have to be taken care of by a responsible adult, these would have to be catered for in the next cash grant, let us target that group in the coming year when every child living with (The responsible adult here which includes either mother, father, grandparent or guardian) under 18 years would be entitled to a cash grant of $100,000. But, let us not complicate the system right now, let us deal with the adult cash grant first before venturing into the persons under 18 years old category. So, let us get back into the discussion of the cash grant to each adult attaining the age eighteen years as of January 1, 2024, I say there must be a verification, I repeat a thorough verification process first, before a disbursement. This verification process cancels out the crooks or those who would try to cheat the system and end up with a windfall. Now, that verification would be in the form of a photo identification and a name affixed to the photograph. This certifies that one person would get his due once and not multiple times. There are those who do not have an ID Card, then a photo identification whether a passport or driver’s licence should be used, the idea is there must be a photo identification against a name and a facial portrait. There are those who carry a deed poll with a different name to that on their birth certificate, these too need a photo ID at verification. The Amerindians in the interior who might not be in possession of any form of identification, then a verification in the various communities should be done as soon as possible. It is a pity that the process could not have been carried out as the name suggests, “A One off” cash grant where a designated “single day” where everyone gets the one-off cash grant with an inked finger to go with it. That would solve the problem of persons turning up for multiple grants. Think of it instead of the scammers turning for a one-off multiple cash transaction, they might very well be walking into a one-off jail term. Now, I know that the inking of the fingers is akin to voting in an election, something the usual suspects are already making postings on their Facebook pages. But never mind those naysayers, my point is government must fine tune the process before any disbursement to iron out the crooks and scammers, in fact, there will always be those who would cry foul irrespective of the handout. I am sending this article to the relevant authorities in Guyana for their consideration. Respectfully submittedNeil Adams Related Similar Articles