REGION Nine male footballers begin defending their crown, today, as the Annual Amerindian Heritage two-day Sports and Family Fun Day gets under way at the Carifesta Sports Complex.

The Rupununi team will meet Region Seven in the third preliminary match, while the competition kicks off at 10:00hrs with former champions Region One coming up against Region Eight, followed by Region Four facing Region Ten.
The organisers were due to work out the fixture for the semifinals with the six competing teams, last evening, with last year’s finalists meeting the winners of two preliminary matches.
On the distaff side, the Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo ladies will battle with Region Four, while defending champions Region Seven will observe their Sabbath today then take on Region One, tomorrow. The winners of the two matches will clash in the final later tomorrow.
The two finals will climax the annual event, with the female match fixed for 18:00hrs and male clash at 20:30hrs.
In cricket, Laluni of Region Four hold both the male and female crowns. The men will defend their Tapeball title, tomorrow, against Orealla of Region Six, Mainstay of Region Two and Moraikobai of Region Five, while the ladies will defend their Softball title against Capoey of Region Two and Moraikobai.
Volleyball and other novelty events will provide more entertainment for the weekend. Novelty events include Lime & Spoon, Three-legged, Late For Work, Tug-O-War and sprints.