Guyana President Commended for Leonara Program

After over 35 years, the glorious game of lovely cricket was played on a flood-lit ground in Leonora at the new Leonora Sports Ground located at the back of the Leonora Police Station, much to the jubilation of the sports lovers in Leonora and the cricket starved villagers.

Live cricket returned to the village of Leonora last Friday night, October the 2nd, when a President’s X1 team led by His Excellency, President Dr. Irfaan Ali himself, played a friendly 20 overs game of tape-ball cricket against a Leonora X1 team, led by Jeetendra Kishore (Jit). The visitors made 225 runs for the loss of 5 wickets and bowled out the hosts for 178 runs. President Ali picked up 3 wickets.

The ground was unofficially opened on Sunday the 27th September 2026, when a 50 Ball Softball Competition was played, involving teams from Leonora Pasture “Legends”(Winner) the Leonora Police Station (1st Runner Up), Leonora Muslim Youth Organization (2nd Runner-Up) and Leonora A and B Cricket Club ( 3rd Runner-Up).This competition was organized by members from the Softball Cricket League Region 3 and members from the Leonora Police Station Management Committee.

1 st. prize included a $100,000 cash and trophy which were donated by Imran “Wolf “ Roti & Furniture Store, 2nd prize of $75,000 and the 4th prize of $25,000, donated by Bacchus Ent. Construction, 3rdprize of $50,000, donated by Nadesh’s N&R Welding Co. and Reuben’s RH Int. and the other 3 trophies were donated by Kesho’s Murthy Store.

With the blessings of President Dr. Irfaan Ali, Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Honorable Minister Charles Ramson, Minister Steven Jacobs, Local Government Minister Priya Manickchand, the RDC Region 3, Stewartville/CI NDC, Mr. Lionel Rasul, many persistent petitioners and other community minded citizens, Leonora’s dream of having its own ground once again has materialized.

It therefore means that, in particular, the youths now have a place of their own to practice and play cricket, they will be kept off the streets from drugs, away from the consumption of alcoholic beverages in their free time and can now run, exercise and spend time in a safe space.

This is in keeping with President Ali’s advice of staying fit by “Get Up, Get Out and Get Active.”

The environment is healthy and secured as it is located right next to the seawall of the Atlantic Ocean, the Leonora Police Station and the Leonora “Cottage” Hospital. As advised by President Ali, there is a plan to improve the standard and ambience. Leonorians and others are happy, grateful and appreciative for this initiative.

Yours Respectfully,

Jai Lall.