Suriname’s Education Minister Ismanto Adno said yesterday that there has been an improvement in relations and cooperation between the two nations because of the annual Inter Guiana Games.
“Since the commencement of this new government of our republic, the relationship and cooperation between Suriname and Guyana has been improved,” Adno.
He made the remarks at Cliff Anderson Sport Hall (CASH) at the opening ceremony of the first leg of the IGG which features four disciplines, Table-Tennis, Chess, Football and Cycling.
Additionally, Adno said the IGG has proven to be an important event which supports the development of sports in the Guianas.
According to him, hard work has been done to improve the quality and level of play at the games.
Adno wished everyone well before expressing gratitude to the participants for keeping the Games alive.
Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport in his remarks said that he was convinced that the tri-nation games kept the youths of the three nations well rounded and focused.
Dr. Anthony, who lauded Suriname for their new Sport Academy, said sport unites a nation and wished Guyana and Suriname the best in the various sport disciplines of the 2013 edition.
Conrad Plummer, Chairman of the National Sport Commission (NSC) welcomed and thanked all the participants for taking time off to compete in the first leg of the IGG.
“The only way that we can bind ourselves… and mend each other is by understanding each others language,” Plummer said.
He urged spectators to support the event and pleaded for ‘fair play’ to be on the agenda of the athletes.
“Enjoy yourselves and be very competitive but let fair play be first,” he said.
The games were yesterday declared open by Prime Minister, The Honorable Samuel Hinds.
