By Delwin Neblett | HGP Nightly News |
— From historic international qualifications to commanding performances on the court, green, and track, Guyanese athletes are setting a high bar for 2026. This week’s roundup features a milestone for national basketball and a flurry of local competitive action.
Basketball: Guyana 3×3 Men Qualify for 2026 Commonwealth Games
In a landmark achievement for local sport, Guyana’s National Men’s 3×3 Basketball team has officially qualified for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. This marks the first time a Guyanese basketball squad has qualified for a major multi-sport event outside of the Caribbean region.
FIBA confirmed Guyana as one of 12 teams in an expanded field that includes fellow Caribbean nations Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, alongside powerhouses like Australia, New Zealand, and hosts Scotland.
“This qualification is a direct reflection of years of development work dedicated to the 3×3 format,” stated Michael Singh, President of the Guyana Basketball Federation. “It is a monumental occasion for our athletes and the sport’s rise on the global stage.”
The tournament is scheduled to take place from July 24–29, 2026, at the Scottish Event Centre (SEC).
Boxing: GBA to Launch 2026 Season in Albouystown
The Guyana Boxing Association (GBA) is set to “punch off” its 2026 calendar on February 7th with the Michael Parris U-16 and Youth Tournament. Hosted at the Pace and Power Gym in Albouystown, the event serves as the bedrock of the GBA’s nursery program.
President Steve Ninvalle confirmed that the Pepsi-sponsored initiative aims to identify the next generation of pugilists. Following the Georgetown launch, the tournament will move to Berbice later this month as part of a strategic decentralization drive to uncover talent across the ten administrative regions.
Chess: Pitamber and Clement Crowned Grand Prix Champions
The I-CEE Chess Grand Prix 3 concluded on Sunday at the David Rose Special School with intense battles across both categories.
- Open Category: Candidate Master Sachin Pitamber emerged as the undefeated champion with 7.5 points, fending off FIDE Master Anthony Drayton (2nd) and Alexander Zhang (3rd).
- Female Category: Ciel Clement secured a hard-fought victory on tie-breaks after finishing level with Woman Candidate Master Sasha Shariff on 6.5 points. Woman Candidate Master Jessica Callendar claimed the third-place spot.
The series serves as a critical qualifier for the 2026 Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan.
Golf: Chet Bowling Takes League Lead at Lusignan
Action heated up in the second round of the National Top League Golf Tournament on Sunday. Chet “Smoking” Bowling delivered a stellar performance, carding a net score of 69 to claim maximum points and move into a tie for the overall league lead.
League Standings (After Round 2):
- Chet Bowling – 10 Points
- Patanjilee Persaud – 10 Points
- Keshan Bacchus – (Strong 2nd place finish with 70 net)
Tournament organizers also welcomed Promotech Guyana Inc. as a new sponsor for the remainder of the eight-week series.
Cricket: Windies Fall to Afghanistan in World Cup Warm-up
The West Indies began their final preparations for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a 23-run defeat against Afghanistan at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.
Afghanistan posted a formidable 182-6, bolstered by Ibrahim Zadran’s 51. In response, the Windies were restricted to 159-7 despite a defiant half-century from Matthew Forde (52* off 26). The West Indies are now looking toward their official tournament opener against Scotland at Eden Gardens this Saturday.
