GFF and RCC Launch “From Pain to Purpose” Football Initiative in Mahdia
BY DELWIN NEBLETT | HGP NIGHTLY NEWS|
MAHDIA, GUYANA — Using sports as a structural vehicle for psychological recovery and community resilience, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has joined forces with the Rights of the Child Commission (RCC) to execute a groundbreaking youth development program in Region Eight. The collaborative four-day initiative, titled “From Pain to Purpose: Football for Healing & Development,” rolled out across Mahdia from June 12 to 15, 2026.
The comprehensive program was specifically designed to equip local regional leaders, engineer safe recreational spaces for vulnerable children, and lay down the organizational infrastructure for sustainable athletics. A primary focus of the intervention involved capacity-building workshops, which culminated in the successful certification of 13 local referees trained in technical match management and child-sensitive officiating protocols. Concurrently, a localized Coaches Education Programme successfully armed community trainers with modern grassroots coaching techniques and strict child-safeguarding guidelines.
The centerpiece of the four-day exercise was the “From Pain to Purpose” Football Festival, which brought together over 50 children from Mahdia and its peripheral indigenous communities for an inclusive day of athletic engagement. To ensure the initiative maintains permanent operational footprints, the GFF met with the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) and local club stakeholders to install an Interim Management Committee (IMC). This body is statutorily tasked with guiding the formal establishment of a permanent Region Eight Football Association, while coordinating transportation and child-protection networks to seamlessly integrate Mahdia Secondary School into the ongoing national school tournaments.
Bartica Secondary Sweeps Zonal Series to Book Spot in Blue Waters U-15 National Finals
BY DELWIN NEBLETT
BARTICA, GUYANA — The unstoppable defensive and offensive lines of Bartica Secondary School have officially punched their ticket to the championship round of the GFF 2026 Blue Waters Shipping Under-15 Girls National Secondary School Championship.
Locking horns with rivals 3 Miles Secondary School in a highly anticipated, three-match Bartica Zone Series, the Bartica Secondary lineup proved entirely too lethal to contain. Driven by clinical offensive combinations and immaculate spacing, the team executed a flawless clean sweep across the regional tournament block.
The structural scoring load was distributed across a dynamic striking quartet, with Kelys Williams, Nerismar Williams, Virlerkys Simon, and Shaniza Daniels dismantling the opposition’s backline. Bartica Secondary dominated the scoreboards, locking down consecutive, clean-sheet victories of 3-1, 3-0, and a 5-0 routing in the final leg. With the zonal trophy secured, Bartica Secondary officially advances into the national Round of 8, where they are scheduled to clash against the country’s alternative regional champions for the ultimate school crown.
Future Warriors Tape Ball Tournament Resumes as Essequibo Zone Takes Center Stage
BY DELWIN NEBLETT
ANNA REGINA, GUYANA — High-octane grassroots cricket development returns to the coastal strip this weekend as action in the ExxonMobil Guyana-sponsored 2026 Future Warriors Tape Ball Tournament shifts to the newly developed Anna Regina National Stadium in Region Two.
The highly anticipated Essequibo Zone leg features a competitive field of 16 primary schools battling in a frantic, eight-overs-a-side knockout format. All eyes remain firmly fixed on local heavyweights and defending champions, C.V. Nunes Primary, who enter the weekend with a massive target on their backs as they fight to defend their regional crown on home soil.
The school that successfully navigates the Essequibo knockout bracket will earn the final automatic berth into the national “Champion of Champions” postseason tournament. There, they will engage in a tri-county showdown against Demerara Zone champions, West Ruimveldt Primary, and Berbice Zone champions, St. Therese Primary.
In keeping with the tournament’s focus on modernizing the grassroots game, the top four finishing schools this weekend will not only take home comprehensive equipment kits and agility bags, but will also receive electronic tablets to introduce young players to the data-driven mechanics of online match scoring.
Stefanie Taylor’s Blistering 47* Propels West Indies Women to Hard-Fought World Cup Win Over Scotland
BY DELWIN NEBLETT
LEEDS, ENGLAND — A masterclass display of power-hitting from veteran all-rounder Stefanie Taylor carried the West Indies Women to a thrilling, narrow 7-run victory over a resilient Scotland lineup on Thursday, locking down their second consecutive win in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Opting to bat first after losing the toss at a packed Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds, the Windies women posted a formidable total of 153 for 6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was completely anchored by Player of the Match Stefanie Taylor, who unleashed a ferocious, unbeaten 47 off a mere 19 deliveries, obliterating Scotland’s death-bowl variations. Out of a disciplined Scottish bowling attack, Katherine Fraser emerged with the most effective analytical figures, picking up 2 for 34.
When Scotland launched their chase, opening batter Darcey Carter threatened to engineer a historic upset, striking a magnificent 59 to keep her side well abreast of the steep asking rate. However, the West Indies bowling unit maintained their composure under intense pressure, systematically triggering a late-order collapse to bowl Scotland out for 146 on the final ball of the 20th over.
Aaliyah Alleyne delivered a brilliant, clinical spell of death-bowling to finish with figures of 3 for 11, while skipper Hayley Matthews provided vital breakthroughs to claim 3 for 19. Currently sitting comfortably near the top of the group table, the West Indies squad will travel to Bristol to square off against Sri Lanka at the Gloucestershire Cricket Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Stride 592 Partners with MVP Sports and Seven Seas for Father’s Day “Dad Run/Walk”
BY DELWIN NEBLETT
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — Aimed at fusing family celebration with vital lifestyle advocacy, health organization Stride 592 has finalized a corporate partnership with MVP Sports and Seven Seas to host the inaugural Father’s Day and Men’s Health Awareness “Dad Run/Walk” inside the National Park this Saturday morning.
Scheduled to commence promptly at 6:00 a.m., the fitness event is engineered to accommodate all physical capability tiers, offering structured 2K and 5K courses. Beyond the baseline distance paths, the morning itinerary features high-energy interactive segments, including a competitive Dads Relay, an intimate Dad & Child 200m sprint, and a highly anticipated “Rep Your Guy” 100m dash for supporters.
Participating families will gain complete access to an on-site Refreshment Centre, a specialized Gym Village offering fitness assessments, and a comprehensive Wellness Village providing free medical screening, blood pressure monitoring, and preventative health counseling. The multi-brand fitness initiative will be co-hosted by prominent fitness influencer and MVP Sports Ambassador Sophia Dolphin, alongside special guest and Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Vice-President Rawle Toney.
