Last Thursday, following a formal meeting of the respective directors of sports for the three competing nations in Paramaribo, Suriname, the signing of the protocol agreement that paves the way for the staging of the 2023 Inter Guiana Games (IGG) took place.
Guyana was represented by Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and Christy Campbell, Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) Vice President and board member of the National Sports Commission.
They were present along with the representatives from Suriname and French Guiana when the accord was inked, which was the final step in the confirmation of the event.
Ninvalle and Campbell were also part of the delegation which conducted the official inspection of the sports facilities and accommodation apparatus.
Ninvalle at the press conference spoke of the close ties among the countries as a result of the staging of the games which encompasses half a century.
He also said that in staging of the event there were no losers as all the countries were winners as a result.
“I bear you greetings from the honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., and just to say that we are very happy that Guyana can once again be participating in the IGG. We would have had site visits and inspections of the accommodation facilities in Suriname, and we are very happy with what we saw. It is important that we note that the IGG in our thinking, is not about any one country being victorious on the field of play, but I think we all will come out winners because of the bonds and friendships that we would have earned and developed during the course of the IGG.”
Ninvalle also called for there to be an official IGG logo. “Now that the IGG is over 50 years old, we have seen the closeness that it has brought the three nations, and I would expect that coming out of the IGG in 2023, we would become even closer. It would be remiss of me if I did not urge and encourage my colleagues that after more than 50 years, I think it’s appropriate and appropriate that we come together and try to have a logo that will carry us through to the other years, and adding to that, it is my hope also that we will have a flag that we can proudly display as an IGG flag and as a representative of the friendship and camaraderie that would have been harnessed over the 50 years.” While Ninvalle said he expected this year’s games to be competitive, he also looked ahead to next year’s games which he said he expected to be much improved. “We expect to be very competitive; we expect that the level of camaraderie and brotherhood will hold for IGG 2023 as it has held for all the other years, and we will expect that from this we can only develop into better nations. Come IGG 2024, we expect to have much more rounded and impactful games. This is my personal wish, and I also share that this is the wish of my honourable minister, Charles Ramson Jr.,” he added.
GOA Vice President Campbell said that the staging of the games was more about unity and fostering good relationships than about winning.
“For us, it’s not about domination, as Director Ninvalle would have mentioned; it’s more about unity and embracing our sister countries. We have had this partnership for decades, and we just hope that the games continue to foster good relations and that we have a good brotherhood and sisterhood moving forward. It would be difficult for me to isolate and say that Guyana is going to dominate in any one sport because we are not an arrogant nation. We never underestimate our opposition, and we just look forward to fair play and mutual respect across the board, and hopefully all of the athletes and officials have a good time as well.”
Ninvalle, in closing remarks, said, “The only thing I think that we all will dominate in is the fostering of unity, and that is what I hope that we all can dominate.” The 2023 edition of the IGG will officially be staged from November 17th–19th, following confirmation from the host nation of Suriname. The historic event, which was initially pencilled for the October 26th–31st window, was deferred for several weeks owing to a dearth of fiscal resources from the Surinamese administration. Suriname previously staged the 2017 edition, which was the last iteration before the five-year hiatus.
Meanwhile, the eight disciplines that will be contested are: chess, futsal, football, lawn tennis, swimming, basketball, volleyball, and athletics. The two disciplines that have been removed from the initial list of 10 sports following a request from the hosts are table tennis and badminton. The staging of respective international competitions in the aforesaid disciplines during the same window is the primary reason for their removal from the competitive list. The arrival date for the travelling delegations is November 16th, while the departure date is slated for November 20th.
The IGG was first held in 1967 and is traditionally staged on an annual basis. However, the games were rekindled last year by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government following a five-year hiatus, a period that encompassed the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 edition on local soil featured over 400 athletes and coaches.
The IGG not only showcases the future young athletes of the three countries, but it also serves as a cultural and educational platform. The IGG helps forge unity, trust, and understanding among the peoples of the Guianas.
