Friday Night Sports Roundup: Trojans Edge Kwakwani; 3×3 Independence Championships Set

By: Delwin Neblett | HGP Nightly News|

GEORGETOWN, GUYANA – It was a packed Thursday and Friday for Guyanese athletes across basketball, football, and cricket as preparations for international tournaments intensify and local championships reach their fever pitch. From a nail-biting finish at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall to the opening of registration for the nation’s most lucrative tapeball tournament, here is your Friday night sports update.

Basketball: UG Trojans Secure Narrow Victory Over Kwakwani

The University of Guyana (UG) Trojans secured a hard-fought 39-38 victory over Kwakwani in a friendly fixture at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Thursday. The one-point margin reflected a keenly contested match that served as a vital tune-up for national prospects.

The fixture is part of the ongoing preparation cycle for Guyana’s Senior Women’s Basketball team. The national squad is currently ramping up intensity ahead of the Centrobasket Women’s Tournament, scheduled to take place from July 11–19 in Nicaragua.

Hoops Action: 3×3 Independence Championships Announced

The Guyana Basketball Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, has officially announced the 2026 3×3 Independence Championships. The high-octane tournament is set for May 17th at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

• Kick-off: 10:00 hrs
• Grand Prize: $300,000
• Featured Clubs: The Ravens, The Eagles, The Royals, and The Raiders.

Fans can expect to see the nation’s elite players on display as 10 teams battle for the prestigious title and the significant cash purse.

Football: GFA NALICO/NAFICO Finals Set for Saturday

The Georgetown Football Association’s (GFA) 2026 NALICO/NAFICO Knockout Tournament heads to the Plaisance Community Centre Ground this Saturday for its thrilling conclusion.

The double-header kicks off at 19:00 hrs with the third-place play-off between Vengy FC and Eastveldt FC. The atmosphere is expected to reach a crescendo at 21:00 hrs for the Grand Final, where Beacon FC will square off against Riddim Squad FC for the championship trophy.

Cricket: Registration Opens for One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast

Cricket enthusiasts and community teams can now officially register for Guyana’s largest and most lucrative tapeball event. Organizer John Ramsingh confirmed today that registration for the One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast is open on a first-come, first-served basis.

Teams must pay a $35,000 registration fee to reserve a spot in one of the four competition zones. The tournament is scheduled to begin on August 8th, culminating in a Grand Final on October 11th at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Essequibo.

Youth Cricket: Everest Overcomes Noor Youth Club of Canada

Action in the Noor Cricket Youth Club of Canada’s 2026 Tour to Guyana continued Thursday with a 30-over clash against Everest Cricket Club.

Everest, batting first, posted a solid 170-5, anchored by an unbeaten 51 from Vinesh Kalpu. Despite a valiant effort from Noor Jaffar Samad, who followed up his 2-41 with the ball by scoring a brilliant 64, the visitors were restricted to 134-6. Samuel Ally proved the pick of the bowlers with 3-26, leading Everest to a comfortable 36-run victory.