IT RAINED consistently last Saturday  and continued the following day. Yet the first Day of Interaction, conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/National Sports Commission and the NDCs – Buxton/Foulis, Enmore/Hope and Grove/Haslington, was unstoppable.
The event, which attracted hundreds of athletes, officials and supporters from the various communities of the NDCs, was held at the Enmore Community Centre Ground.
Both athletes and officials braved the weather and the unfriendly conditions to ensure that the activities programmed were completed.
The Day of Interaction, which was organised on a NDC basis, saw the presence of the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Dr Frank Anthony, who spoke on the need and importance of community participation and organising of sports as important ingredients in the development of communities.
Also addressing the large gathering was Director of Sport Mr Neil Kumar who thanked all for their participation and involvement under such adverse conditions.
The Chairman of the Enmore/Hope NDC, Jainauth Bikari, welcomed those present and Mr Rudolph Blair, Chairman of the Buxton/Foulis NDC expressed satisfaction over the large turnout and asked that the activities be used as a means of fostering better relationships among all.
The athletes and officials took to the field while it rained and the surface was soggy and in some places, water-logged. Their spirit was not dampened.  They skidded and slipped and fell as they went about their tasks.
The day was indeed successful and memorable. It was also incident- and accident-free.
Special congratulations and thanks must be extended to the participating NDCs who gave the necessary support to ensure the remarkable success achieved.
The activities kicked off with softball cricket (female) in which five teams participated. Indeed much talent was displayed among the young players.
The final saw an all-Buxton/Foulis NDC affair. Buxton, batting first and scoring 38 runs for 3 wickets in the allotted 5 overs, defeated Enterprise who only managed 20 runs for 4 wickets in 5 overs. The Enterprise girls displayed good skills.
However, the Buxton girls overpowered them as the bigger girls hit the ball over the top and scored runs.
In the male softball cricket, Enmore/Hope crushed Grove/Haslington by 80 runs. Taking first strike Enmore/Hope rattled up 133 runs for 5 wickets and Grove/Haslington replied with a meagre score of 53 runs for 8 wickets.  Five teams participated.
Only two teams were involved in volleyball, both from Enmore/Hope NDC. Team ‘A’ was victorious over Team ‘B’ winning three straight games of five.
Football, which attracted four teams (one mixed) was played on a round-robin seven-a-side. Grove/Haslington ‘A’ with 9 points from 3 wins emerged champions, followed by Grove/Haslington ‘B’ with 6 points from 2 wins and Buxton/Foulis (mixed) 3 points from one win.
Six teams registered for the dominoes competition. Unfortunately, this competition was not completed.  It is expected that the final rounds will be held during the week.