POPULAR sports personality, Rural Sergeant Linden Matthews, has been recognised with the prestigious Male Sports Personality of the Year award in recognition of his tireless commitment to the development of sports in the Guyana Police Force (GPF).

The award was conferred on Matthews during the recent GPF annual end-of-year ceremony, held at the Police officers Annexe which saw ranks being recognised for their outstanding performances during 2025.

According to a post on the GPF Facebook page, Matthews joined the entity on May 12, 1995, as a Special Constable and rose to the rank of Sergeant before his retirement in 2018.

The post pointed out that during his tenure, Matthews worked at the Sports Secretariat with brief stints in Regional Division 4A and the Tactical Services Unit during the Christmas season.

“For more than 30 years, he played an integral role in shaping the careers of young athletes. His engagement in sports started well before his police career reached its peak, and by 1995, he had solidified his position as a cricket umpire, a role he still fulfills with impressive professionalism.”

The post further pointed out that “beyond umpiring, Rural Sergeant Matthews is both the cricket coordinator and indoor games coordinator; he is also the operational sergeant. His responsibilities go beyond policing and take on a more people-centred approach. His work has made a notable impact on enhancing the culture of sportsmanship and camaraderie within the institution, demonstrating that athletic excellence and policing can harmoniously co-exist to foster positive, holistic development.”

Commenting further, the post highlighted that “his love of cricket extends beyond the field and into the commentary booth, where he brings matches to life with a mix of wit, energy, and genuine emotion. He has been a cricket commentator for decades, and it shows in his analysis of batsman technique and ability to capture the tension of a close contest. He has a talent for explaining even the most technical aspects of cricket to a layman’s level.”

According to the unassuming Matthews, the award symbolizes a personal achievement. He extended sincere thanks the Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner, Administration, Mr. Ravindradat Budhram, and the executive leadership team for their support and recognition.