Sports in Guyana play an important role in national pride, youth development, and community engagement. The country’s diverse culture is reflected in its variety of sports, influenced by British colonial history, Caribbean traditions, and South American geography.
1. Cricket (Most Popular Sport)
- National passion, especially among the Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese populations.
- Governed by the Guyana Cricket Board.
- Guyanese cricketers play for the West Indies cricket team in international competitions.
Notable Players:
- Shivnarine Chanderpaul – Legendary West Indies batsman.
- Shamar Joseph – Rising star, known for heroics in Test cricket.
- Ramnaresh Sarwan – Former West Indies captain.
- Carl Hooper, Rohan Kanhai, and Basil Butcher – Icons of the game.
Teams:
- Guyana Amazon Warriors – Represents the country in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
2. Football (Soccer)
- Rapidly growing in popularity.
- Governed by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF).
- The national team is called the Golden Jaguars.
Highlights:
- Qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
- Local leagues include the GFF Elite League.
3. Boxing
- Deep roots in working-class communities.
- Guyana has produced world champions like:
- Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis
- Vivian Harris
- Clive Atwell
4. Athletics and Track & Field
- Strong at the school and community levels.
- Popular events: sprints, long-distance running, and high jump.
- Guyana participates in CARIFTA Games, Commonwealth Games, and Olympics.
5. Martial Arts
- Includes karate, taekwondo, and judo.
- Practiced in urban centers and promoted through clubs and tournaments.
6. Basketball
- Especially popular in urban youth communities.
- Played competitively in schools and clubs.
- Guyana’s national teams have participated in FIBA Caribbean tournaments.
7. Volleyball and Netball
- Common in schools and sports clubs.
- Netball is especially played by girls and women.
8. Outdoor and Adventure Sports
- Due to its rich environment, Guyana also supports:
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Eco-sports and endurance events in the hinterland.
Sports Infrastructure
- Providence Stadium – Main venue for cricket and large events.
- Leonora Track & Field Centre – National facility for athletics.
- Local sports grounds in Linden, New Amsterdam, Berbice, and Georgetown.
Guyana at the International Level
- Competes in the Olympics, Pan American Games, and Commonwealth Games.
- Focused on improving talent identification and training programs through government and NGO support.
