Guyana’s sporting calendar closed the year on a high note, with standout performances across chess, football, and tennis underscoring continued growth and regional impact.
Allicock and Couchman Crowned Chess Champions
FIDE Master Rawle Allicock emerged victorious in the Guyana Chess Federation’s End-of-Year Rapid Tournament, while national junior champion Kyle Couchman claimed top honours in the Blitz competition. The tournaments were held over the weekend at the School of the Nations in Georgetown.
Allicock finished unbeaten in the seven-round Rapid event with 6.5 points, conceding only a draw to Couchman, who secured second place on 5.5 points. Keron Sandiford rounded out the podium with five points.
In the Under-20 category, Ricardo Narine captured the Best Player award with five points, finishing ahead of Rafael Park and Matthew Singh. Lusianna Farlot earned Best Female honours in the junior division. Women Candidate Master (WCM) Aditi Joshi had a strong showing, claiming the Best Female award in both the Rapid and Blitz tournaments.
The Blitz competition saw Couchman dominate the field, finishing unbeaten with 8.5 points. Allicock placed second with eight points, while Matthew Singh secured third with 6.5 points. Total cash prizes of $159,000 were distributed across both events.
Guyana Represented on FIFA Women’s Football Committee
In a major boost for women’s football, Guyana was represented at the inaugural FIFA Women’s Football Development Committee meeting held in Doha, Qatar. The country’s presence was represented by Women’s Football Association President Andrea Johnson, who was recently appointed to serve on the FIFA committee through 2029.
Johnson’s appointment ensures Guyana has a voice in global policy discussions shaping the future of women’s football, both regionally and internationally. She continues to play a pivotal role within the Guyana Football Federation, advocating for development pathways for female players and administrators.
Western Tigers, Slingerz Advance in GFF Super 16 Cup
Action continued in the 2025 GFF Super 16 Cup with semi-final clashes at the National Training Centre in Providence on Monday.
Western Tigers FC booked their place in the final after edging GDF FC 5–4 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after regulation and extra time. Kevon Woodley scored for Western Tigers, while Ian Dooker found the net for GDF.
In the second semi-final, Slingerz FC advanced similarly, defeating GPF FC 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. Police’s Neron Barrow and Slingerz’ Kemar Beckford were on target during regulation. The tournament is set to conclude with the final fixtures on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Botafogo, Capital FC Reach Linden Futsal Final
In Upper Demerara, the Banks DIH Christmas Futsal Championship reached the semi-final stage at the Retrieve Hard-Court in Linden.
Botafogo delivered an emphatic 7–3 victory over Blueberry Hill United to advance to the final. Donovan Francis and Malachi Todd led the charge with doubles, while Jamal Haynes, Shane Haynes, and Caesar also scored. Rondell Arthur, Raydell Arthu,r and Shaka Lewis responded for Blueberry Hill.
Capital FC secured the second final berth with a hard-fought 3–2 win over Top XX. Goals from Devonte Tappin, Emanuel Atkins, and Orlanzo Thorman sealed the result, while Ryan Arthur netted twice for Top XX. The championship concludes on January 1, 2026.
Rebel Tennis Club Dominates St Lucia’s Jingle Ball Open
Guyana’s Rebel Tennis Club delivered a commanding performance at the Jingle Ball Open in St Lucia, capturing multiple titles across senior and junior categories during the four-day tournament at the National Racquet Centre.
Led by head coach Andre Erskine, the 19-player squad excelled across all levels. Gerald Scotland headlined the campaign, winning the Men’s Open Singles title and pairing with Denzel Luthers to claim the Men’s Open Doubles crown.
At the junior level, Joshua Culpeper defeated Christian Pompey in an all-Rebel Boys Under-14 final. Khalia Luke and Olufemi Cuffy secured Orange Ball titles. At the same time, Khloe Andrews, Kelly Doris, Rahul Narayan, Brielle Paul, and others contributed to a sweep of Red Ball and Medley events, highlighting Guyana’s growing depth in youth tennis.
