Silver medalist from the Hampton Games Ernesto Thomas flanked by with Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony (at right) and Director of Sport Neil Kumar, along with Director of Youth Carl Brandon and PNC Parliamentarian Sam Ellion.

Groups from as far as Mahaica, Annandale, Bladen Hall, Melanie, Bee Hive and Sophia gathered at the Better Hope Community Ground for the third annual Day of Interaction of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Day of Interaction is the name given to the initiative of the Ministry that is aimed at bringing social cohesion among communities through a range of sport activities.

The initiative commenced three years ago at Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara and attracted participation from residents of Buxton, Annandale, Lusignan and other areas.

In preparation for the event, the Better Hope Community Centre ground received a new basketball and volleyball court from the Ministry as the third annual Day of Interaction began.

While the two backboards and the hoop for the basketball court were donated by the Sport Ministry, officials from the Regional Administration and the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) were also commended for their efforts.

Yesterday’s event, like many others in the past, featured competitions in football, karate exhibitions, volleyball, cricket, circle tennis, table tennis, dominoes, chess and several other activities.

An Amerindian football and volleyball team joined the interaction.

Also attending was 12-year-old Ernesto Thomas who only recently returned from the Hampton Games in Trinidad and Tobago, copping the silver medal in the 400 meter race.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, said although the event will end with some emerging winners over others, the message for the day was that “we are all winners if we play together.”

Minister Anthony said over the last three years, the powerful role which sports play in society has been evident on many occasions.

“If you go to any sport event, it doesn’t matter your size, colour, race or religion, sports break down all those barriers because whether you are an athlete or a spectator, we think in the Ministry that you can utilise the power sports have to unify,” Minister Anthony said.

Although there are still pockets of stereotypes in society, Minister Anthony said when those same individuals play and interact together, the negative perceptions which they have of each other are eradicated.

He believes however, that there is still much more that needs to be done to promote peace and harmony in society.

“We feel that for too long we have not used this hidden potential of sports to bring people together and that is why these days of interaction are specially designed to do so… we are convinced by the previous activities that we have that the theory (sports bringing people together) in fact is working, and that is why year after year we will be investing money to ensure that these activities continue,” Minister Anthony said.

Day of Interaction at Better Hope Community Centre ground.

He disclosed that in the coming weeks, efforts will be made to ensure sports at the community level is fully developed and that at the annual National Sports Award, prizes will be given to the best community involved in sports.

He noted however, that for this to happen, the community’s recreational centres or playfields must be kept in good order and efforts must be made by these communities to acquire the necessary equipment for youths in the community

Director of Sport, Neil Kumar, said yesterday’s activity should serve as a good example to all community centres on the East Coast of Demerara.

In the coming month, officials in the Sport Ministry will be holding a general meeting with all sports enthusiasts and organisers on the East Coast, focusing on community centre grounds and as Kumar explained, trying to determine the problems surrounding their functionality and maintenance.

Other interactive sessions are planned for Diamond, East Bank Demerara on October 4; Goed Fortuin, West Bank Demerara on October 11; and Rose Hall, Berbice, on October 28.

On November 1, the activity will be taken to the Essequibo Coast, then to Linden on November 8 and in Region Five on November 15. Smaller activities will be held for the first time along the Berbice River.