Latest update June 19th, 2025 3:06 AM
Guyana to make historic Badminton debut at Junior Pan Am Games
(L-R) Frank Waddle, Mishka Beharry, Leshaunte Berkley and Joanathan Debidin will compete at this year’s Junior Pan Am Games.
Kaieteur Sports – Guyana will make its historic debut in badminton at this year’s Junior Pan American Games, set for August 9–23 in Asunción, Paraguay.
Representing the country in the racquet sport are Frank Waddle, Mishka Beharry, Leshaunte Berkley, and Jonathan Debidin. The badminton competition will take place from August 10–13 in Paraguay’s capital.
The athletes will compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events and will be coached by Akili Haynes.
The Junior Pan Am Games were established to provide a platform for young athletes across the Americas to compete, develop their skills, and serve as a stepping stone for future Olympians.
The inaugural edition was held in 2021 in Cali, Colombia, and the event is scheduled to take place every four years.
President of the Guyana Badminton Association (GBA), Emily Ramdhani, congratulated the players on their selection and encouraged them to make the most of this opportunity.
She noted that several of the athletes came through the GBA’s Badminton Academy, having been introduced to the sport early in their athletic careers.
Ramdhani highlighted that their selection is a testament to the sport’s growth in Guyana, especially given that, traditionally, only two spots are allocated for continental events like this.
“It shows that the sport is growing in Guyana. The Continental Federation has recognized this, which is why we’ve qualified for four spots,” she explained.
Following the Junior Pan Am Games, Guyana will also participate in the Caribbean Regional Badminton Confederation (CAREBACO) Championships in Barbados, which include both team and individual events.
The team heading to Bridgetown will include Ruel Ramritch, along with Mishka Beharry, Leshaunte Berkley, and Jonathan Debidin.
The 2024 CAREBACO Junior Championships were held in Oranjestad, Aruba, from August 22–25. Guyana fielded a 20-member team across various age categories, from Under-11 to Under-19, in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
Several players, including Ethan Bulkan and Mishka Beharry, delivered impressive performances in the individual segments, despite facing tough competition.
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