By: Delwin Neblett | HGP Nightly News |
Guyana Chess Federation Opens 2026 Season with Youth Championships
The Guyana Chess Federation will officially open its 2026 competitive calendar on Saturday, January 10, with the National Under-12 Rapid Chess Championships.
The tournament will be held at the New ACADO Building on Heroes Highway, East Bank Demerara, and is sponsored by ACADO Guyana under its MOO! initiative. Milk brand. Organisers expect more than 50 young players to participate.
Competition will take place across the Under-12, Under-10, and Under-8 categories for both boys and girls. Among the leading contenders on the boys’ side are Javier Davenand, Vir Narine, Aiden Tinnie, and Arian Tinnie, while the girls’ field is set to include Saura Ruplall, Amy Ramphal, and Divya Persaud.
Matches are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. and will be contested over seven Swiss-system rounds, using a rapid time control of 15 minutes plus five seconds per move.
Keliza Smith Signs with LSU Track & Field Program
Guyanese sprint standout Keliza Smith has officially been signed to the Louisiana State University Track and Field programme, marking a major milestone in her athletic career.
Following two dominant seasons at Barton Community College in Kansas, the Region Three native will now compete at the NCAA Division I level in her junior year. Smith will join fellow Guyanese athletes Malachi Austin and Athaleyha Hinckson under the guidance of head coach Dennis Shaver.
Smith is a Guyanese national champion, an NJCAA 60-metre champion, and one of the most decorated junior-college sprinters, with 15 First Team All-American honours. Internationally, she made history as Guyana’s first-ever bronze medallist in the 100 metres at the Islamic Solidarity Games and also claimed bronze in the 200 metres at the Junior Pan American Games.
West Indies Under-19s Set for World Cup Opener in Namibia
The West Indies Under-19 Cricket Team will begin their 2026 ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup campaign against Tanzania on January 15 at the HP Oval in Namibia.
The side will be led by prolific Barbadian opener Joshua Dorne and will include two Guyanese players: all-rounder Jonathan Van-Lange and wicketkeeper-batter Shamar Apple. Apple recently became the second youngest player in Guyana’s history to be selected to the senior men’s team.
Both players departed Guyana earlier today to join the squad in Barbados. Much is also expected from Antiguian standout Jewel Andrew, who was the West Indies’ leading run-scorer in 2024 and has already gained international experience with appearances in T20 Internationals and One-Day Internationals.
The West Indies last captured the ICC Under-19 Men’s World Cup title in 2016 under the captaincy of Guyanese middle-order batter Shimron Hetmyer.
Kevin Sinclair Foundation Tapeball Tournament Set for January 11
More than $500,000 in cash and prizes will be up for grabs when the annual Kevin Sinclair Foundation Tapeball Tournament bowls off on January 11 at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.
The one-day event, supported by Trophy Stall, Genuine Auto Sales, Sheldon Energy Inc., and Anil Beharry Real Estate and General Business Services, will feature ten male teams and four female teams. Matches are scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m.
Teams already confirmed include Mahdia Movements Family, Eccles All Stars, Team Sip and Play, and Team Corruption.
The tournament is organised by Kevin Sinclair, a Berbice-born Guyanese all-rounder who has represented the West Indies in Tests, One-Day Internationals, and T20 Internationals.
Archery Guyana Hosts National Ranking Event
Archery Guyana staged its National Ranking Event on Wednesday at the Everest Cricket Club ground in Georgetown, drawing competition across multiple categories.
Jeewanram Persaud emerged champion in the Men’s Recurve category, finishing ahead of Lucas Chung in second and Trevaughn Waldron in third. In the Women’s Recurve division, Karin Onica Toppin claimed top honours over Roshini Boodhoo.
The Men’s Barebow title went to Mahandra Chatagrum, who prevailed over Nolan Gray and Richard Dookie. In the Women’s Barebow category, Melesa Ramnarain secured victory, with Eslyne Gomes finishing second and Suzanne Affonso third.
