Guyana CPL Squad Overhaul, Olympic-Level Encampments, and Diamond Jubilee Cups
By| Delwin Neblett | HGP Nightly News |
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – As anticipation builds for the country’s upcoming 60th Independence celebrations, the domestic sporting fraternity has exploded into overdrive. From crucial regional team roster announcements to prestigious multi-disciplinary festivals, here is your Friday night sports breakdown.
HOCKEY: Top Clubs Set to Clash for the Diamond Jubilee Cup
The Guyana Hockey Board, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, has officially launched the “Diamond Jubilee Cup” Field Hockey Tournament. The highly anticipated event will run from May 23rd to 30th at the National Stadium in Providence.
The competitive landscape will showcase Guyana’s elite clubs, including Old Fort, Saints, Hikers, and the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC). Matches will feature both male and female 1st Division categories, with intense stick-work action scheduled to jump off at 9:00hrs daily.
TENNIS: 60th Independence Open Serves Off Sunday
The Guyana Tennis Association, alongside the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, has finalized preparations for the 60th Independence Anniversary Open. Scheduled to serve off this Sunday, May 17th, the games will take over the National Park Courts in Georgetown.
The tournament is an integral pillar of an expansive 10-discipline sports festival organized in honor of Guyana’s milestone Diamond Jubilee. Fans can expect a showcase of the nation’s premier racket talents, spearheaded by standout standard-bearers Nathan DeNobrega and Zion Hickerson.
BODYBUILDING: Fung Leads Elite Contingent to IFBB Pro World Cup
Guyana’s national bodybuilding squad is primed for international glory as they descend on the Sir Garfield Sobers Gymnasium in Barbados for the prestigious IFBB Pro World Cup and Roger Boyce Classic, running from May 16th to 17th.
The elite contingent is headlined by reigning IFBB World Champion Rosana Fung. Joining her on the hunting grounds is an armored lineup featuring 2025’s Mr. Guyana, Colin Chesney, alongside Sabita Stephenson, Lindon Burnett, Christopher Anthony, and Weslyn Gonsalves.
CRICKET: Motie Traded to Tridents as Amazon Warriors Reveal 2026 CPL Squad
The Guyana Amazon Warriors sent shockwaves through the region earlier today by officially revealing their local draft squad for the 2026 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
The Blockbuster Switch
In a massive tactical realignment, standout left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has officially parted ways with his home franchise after a stellar five-year run, drafted over to the Barbados Tridents. To plug the spin deficit, the Warriors have brought in former Kings left-arm orthodox spinner Khary Pierre.
New Blood and Critical Retentions
The Amazon Warriors are introducing exciting, fresh firepower to the roster, welcoming rising fast bowler Isai Thorne and multi-talented youth prospect Jonathan VanLange to the camp for the first time. Crucially, the core of the squad remains intact. The franchise successfully utilized its Right to Match Options (RMOs) and retentions to secure world-class assets:
- Shimron Hetmyer (Retained)
- Shai Hope (Retained)
- Shamar Joseph (Retained)
- Romario Shepherd (Retained)
- Quentin Sampson (Retained via Breakout Player Option)
CRICKET: Joseph and Motie Invited to High-Performance West Indies Camp
While they may be wearing different colors come the CPL season, Guyanese stars Shamar Joseph and Gudakesh Motie will be locking arms internationally. Both players have received official invitations to the Cricket West Indies (CWI) High-Performance Training Camp ahead of the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka.
The exclusive 17-man elite encampment will run from May 21st to 31st at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua and Barbuda. This intensive 10-day training regimen marks the opening salvo of a meticulous 18-month preparation phase designed to prime the West Indies senior squad ahead of the 2027 ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, which will be co-hosted across South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.
