GBF Secures Certified NCAA Hardwood Court from UAB Ahead of AmeriCup Pre-Qualifiers
BY DELWIN NEBLETT | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — In a major infrastructure upgrade for indoor sports, the Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) has officially acquired a certified, premium hardwood basketball court from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The strategic acquisition arrives at a critical juncture as Guyana prepares to host the FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Pre-Qualifiers this coming July.
The portable court is scheduled to be permanently installed at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue, designating the facility as the primary training and match venue for Guyana’s senior national team as well as visiting international squads.
GBF President Michael Singh highlighted that the investment addresses historical player safety concerns while providing a world-class surface to elevate local tournament play. Crucially, because the modular hardwood layout is entirely portable, the federation retains the flexibility to dismantle and relocate the court to other administrative regions for developmental showcases in the future—marking a vital milestone toward establishing Guyana’s first fully dedicated, international-standard basketball arena.
National Cyclist Brighton John Crowned Overall Champion at CACL Grand Prix in French Guiana
SINNAMARY, FRENCH GUIANA — Continuing an incredibly dominant international campaign, Guyanese national cyclist Brighton John captured the overall championship title at the 5th edition of the prestigious CACL Grand Prix in French Guiana.
Representing his overseas club, Vélo Club de Sinnamary (VCS), John showcased tactical maturity and superior aerobic endurance across three days of punishing, multi-stage racing against the region’s elite riders. The GC (General Classification) triumph cements John’s status as a premier powerhouse on the continental circuit. Remarkably, this victory comes just two weeks after he secured an emphatic podium-topping win at the CCOG Grand Prix, underlining a golden run of form for the Guyanese wheelman as he continues to fly the Golden Arrowhead abroad.
Goals Galore in GFA Youth Ensemble Under-13 Division at Providence
PROVIDENCE, GUYANA — Emerging youth talent took center stage at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence as the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) successfully contested five action-packed Under-13 fixtures in the 2026 Youth Ensemble on Saturday.
The Vurlon Mills Football Academy opened the day’s account with a clinical performance, securing a comfortable 3-0 shutout victory over Eastveldt FC. Offensive fireworks continued into the second fixture as Beacon FC dismantled the Guyana Police Force (GPF) FC squad in a dominant 5-1 rout.
Riddim Squad FC maintained defensive discipline to defeat Black Pearl FC 2-0, while the Fruta Conquerors FC frontline proved far too hot to handle for Western Tigers FC, cruising to a comprehensive 4-1 victory. The final match of the day delivered the most dramatic thriller of the round, culminating in a keenly contested, high-scoring 4-4 draw between historic rivals Pele FC and Camptown FC.
Bush Lot Secondary Demolishes Belladrum 6-0 to Claim Region 5 Under-15 Zonal Crown
BUSH LOT, GUYANA — Bush Lot Secondary put on a spectacular offensive masterclass on Monday afternoon, crushing arch-rivals Belladrum Secondary 6-0 to officially claim the Region 5 Zone title in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) 2026 Blue Waters Shipping Under-15 Girls National Secondary School Championship.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd, the Bush Lot side asserted total tactical dominance from the opening whistle. Playmaker Tancia Datson was deservingly recognized as Region 5’s Most Outstanding Player, spearheading the attacking frontline with an array of precise distribution and clinical finishes. With the zonal trophy safely secured, the undefeated Bush Lot unit officially advances to the national final round, joining academic powerhouses Marian Academy and the New Central High School in the battle for ultimate national honors.
Sri Lanka Emerging XI Demolishes Windies Academy to Claim 4-Day Series 1-0
HAMBANTOTA, SRI LANKA — The West Indies Academy suffered a crushing innings and 216-run defeat at the hands of the Sri Lanka Emerging XI on Wednesday, as the host nation officially locked down the two-match four-day series 1-0 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Windies Academy showed early resilience but were ultimately bowled out for a modest 231 in 67.5 overs. Opening batsman Shaqkere Parris anchored the innings with a brilliant, fighting knock of 99 off 196 balls, missing out on a well-deserved century by a single run, while Chamod Battage dismantled the lower order to finish with figures of 4-51.
In reply, the Sri Lanka Emerging XI batted the Caribbean tourists entirely out of the game, piling on a mammoth 553-5 declared. The batting assault was led by Player of the Match Pulindu Perera and Player of the Series Anjala Bandara, both of whom struck masterful centuries against a fatigued Windies bowling attack.
Staring down a massive structural deficit, the Windies Academy’s second-innings response collapsed into disaster. The regional side was bundled out for a paltry 106 in just 29.5 overs, completely falling apart against a lethal spell from spinner Asitha Wanninayake, who produced devastating, analytical figures of 4-5. With the long-format series completed, both squads will quickly shift focus to the white-ball leg, preparing for a three-match 50-over series scheduled to bowl off at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo on June 22.
