Three days of action packed sports rivalry involving the best student-athletes from the ‘Guianas’ will get underway tomorrow when the highly anticipated Inter Guiana Games (IGG) makes its grand return.
The 2022 edition of the Inter Guiana Games (IGG) will be officially unveiled tomorrow evening from 19:00hrs at the National Stadium, Providence.
The official launching ceremony is scheduled to feature the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Kashif Muhammad.
“Over 400 athletes from the three nations, both male and female would be vying for supremacy in Track and Field, Badminton, Cycling (male only), Volleyball, Tennis, Football (female only), Table Tennis, Swimming, and Basketball between Friday and Sunday at multiple venues in Regions Three and Four,” a release from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport stated.
According to Director of Sport, Ninvalle, the National Gymnasium, the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, the National Aquatic Centre, the National Track and Field Centre and the Racquet Centre are some of the venues which will play host to the nine-discipline event.
Initially held in 1967, the IGG is normally an annual affair among Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, with the most recent edition being held in Suriname in 2017.
“The return of the Games is a promise fulfilled by His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali,” Ninvalle said.
French Guiana’s contingent touched down on Tuesday while the Surinamese are scheduled to arrive today.
Ninvalle, who welcomed the French Guiana delegation following their arrival, said, “On behalf of the Hon. Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson, I wish welcome the French Guiana team to our shores. Their presence in Guyana underlines how important they view the development of mutual understanding and solidarity amongst peoples of the Guianas.”
Meanwhile, Head of the French Guiana, Territorial Councilor Mirta Tani, said, “We haven’t had the IGG in five years, and this is an important championship for the young athletes of the Guianas. So, we welcoming the return and we are happy to be in Guyana.”
Suriname’s Minister of Regional Development and Sport, Garcia Emmanuel, Director of Sport Gordon Tjouw Ngie Touw and other high-ranking officials are also scheduled to be at the opening and will also be taking in the action at the various game venues. (Duncan Saul and Emmerson Campbell)
