President David Granger on Monday lauded the Upper Mazaruni 19th Annual District Games, which is being hosted at the Kamarang Sports Ground in Cuyuni-Mazaruni from August, 7-15.
“You all have demonstrated initiative. Every [time] August comes around, you know what to do. You know that you will be participating in the Upper Mazaruni District Games… You have demonstrated the initiative… I have been impressed with your initiative. I have been impressed with the involvement of people and communities and your inclusiveness; the way you don’t try to keep people out. I have been impressed with your integration,” Granger said, according to a Ministry of the Presidency release.
Competitors from Kamarang, Kako, Kaikan, Arau, Paruima, Waramadong, Quebanang, Jawalla, Phillipai, Chinoweing, Imbaimadai and Isseneru, some of them travelling for several days are participating in the event. The release said that they are identified by their own flags and colours and will participate in athletics, archery, volleyball, swimming and other novelty games.
Granger said that the hinterland often produces talented athletes but because of the lack of infrastructure, they may never have the opportunity to regularly display their talents or compete with people from the coastland.
The release said that the Head of State mentioned plans to bridge the Essequibo River and for improved road networks and access to air travel.
Floodlights
The National Sports Commission (NSC) under the Ground Enhancement Project provided 16 floodlights for the ground at Kamarang and these were handed over to the District Sports Council by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry at the event, the release said. Ten of those lights have now been installed and games are being played during the night. Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, who declared the games open, also handed over a variety of sporting equipment.
The release added that Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, Sydney Allicock also used the opportunity to hand over a generator to President of the District Sports Council, Rudolph Wellington.
Meanwhile, Vice President of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Charles Corbin, announced that the Upper Mazaruni is being added to the National Athlete Development Pilot Programme, which is intended to introduce a new sport in schools each year up to 2020. The first sport that will be inaugurated in the new school year is table tennis and the programme is organised by the Government of Guyana Guyana Olympic Association, the National Table Tennis Federation and the Guyana Teachers Union.
Corbin said, according to the release, that the aim is to ensure that a sustainable sports programme is implemented where elite athletes are identified, who can represent Guyana as well as promote healthy living through sport in Guyana.
