Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname commit to preserving IGG  Games
UNDER the theme “Strengthen brotherhood through sports”, the 2011 Inter Guiana Games (IGG) was officially declared open yesterday at the Andre Kampervene Stadium  in Suriname.
The Dutch speaking country will host Guyana and French Guiana as the three nations compete in the disciplines of Track and Field, Cycling, Basketball, Football, Chess and Swimming that will conclude on Sunday.

At the colourful opening, Suriname’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Paul Abena, expressed his Government’s delight at hosting the games and also promised the athletes a fun time in the country.

Its the first time under President Desri Delano Bouterse and the National Democratic Party (NDP) that the IGG is being held and as such Abena said, that the administration is more than fully committed to the sustenance and longevity of the event.

He said,”the Inter Guiana Games plays an important part in terms of developing relations between the three countries and we will make sure it only gets better.”

Guyana’s Director of Sport Neil Kumar thanked the Government of Suriname for staging the games, adding “I know it’s difficult because you (Suriname) are hosting both legs in one. So I must say how grateful we are and looking forward to a fruitful event.”

Initially, Guyana was set to host the games, but due to next month’s general  elections, it was decided that Suriname would stage both legs collectively.

“It goes to show that we remain cognisant of the fact that these games are very important to us,” Kumar lamented while also mentioning that “I pledge Guyana’s unflinching support to these games and to the teams I say good luck and to Guyana I say, let’s win.”

French Guiana’s head of delegation Laurence Burg said, “the IGG and more sports contribute to the development of young people and we hope that the games last so that it may continue to educate and integrate our young people from the three countries.”

She went on to make mention of the deference in languages (French, Dutch and English) and lamented on the fact “there’s more at stake at these games than just playing” while urging the youths to “socialize and learn more about each other, your respective cultures.”

Meanwhile, it was announced that  male football will be played in a best-of-three format to determine the winner, since French Guiana only fielded a female team.

Last night, Guyana and Suriname played game one and today the second game will be played at the Andre Kampervene Stadium.

The National basketball team (Male and Female) will have a chance to put their months of preparation into action at the Anthony Nesty Stadium when they go into action and so will the cycling and Volleyball teams.

Track and field has been reserved for Saturday and Sunday and will be held at the Andre Kampervene Stadium.