The second of the Days of Interaction Programme for 2011 was held last Sunday at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, Bartica.
According to a press release, it was a historic day since it was the first time the programme was held in Bartica in the six years since the event was launched.
Approximately 300 athletes and officials from 11 zones including Mazaruni Prisons, Potaro Road (1–5 miles), Batavia/Kartabo, Kartabo/ Itaballi, River’s View, Agatash, Bartica North, Bartica East, Bartica Central, Greater Bartica, along with hundreds of spectators and supporters converged on the Bartica Community Centre Ground.
The athletes participated in a number of sports disciplines at a competitive level which included softball cricket (male and female), volleyball, football, domino and table tennis.
However, the regional administration had two weeks to organize and must be complimented for a job well done, the release said.
The event attracted the presence of Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, who highlighted the importance of community participation and involvement and the organizing of sports as a necessary ingredient in the development of individuals and communities in various ways.
And Director of Sport Neil Kumar gave a background to the Day of Interaction while Peter Ramotar welcomed everyone and thanked the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission (NSC) for bringing such an initiative to Region 7.
The day’s activities commenced with female softball cricket which saw Agatash defeating Kartabo.
Agatash batting first, scoring 40 without loss while Kartabo in reply lost by a mere five runs off their allotted overs.
In the male version River’s View came up short against Bartica Central who were victorious by scoring 23 for 2 while River’s View scored 16 for 4.
In seven–a–side football, Bartica Central defeated Potaro Road (1 – 5 miles) by 2 penalties to 1 after a scoreless fulltime while Bartica North edged Bartica Central by 53 points to 52 in the volleyball final.
In a closely contested domino final, River’s View won by 53 points to 52 against Bartica Central while Kevin Joseph outplayed Lorenzo Jacobs to win in the keenly-contested table tennis final.
Trophies were presented to the winners and runners-up in the various disciplines by Minister Anthony and other officials while sports gears were also given to clubs for the development of the various sports disciplines in their communities.
Earlier in the day at the opening ceremony, Mazaruni won the prize for the Best Banner while Kartabo/Itaballi took the prizes for uniformity and the largest contingent on parade.
The release stated that special thanks and congratulations must be extended to the regional administration and its organizing committee with special reference to Derrick Persaud and Clameth Young.
The regional administration is already planning to organize another such activity sometime in November of this year.
