ATHLETES from Guyana, French Guiana and Suriname will resume rivalry in various sporting disciplines when the Inter-Guiana Games second leg is held in the French-speaking South American country capital of Cayenne on October 27. Director of Sport Christopher Jones journeyed to Paramaribo Suriname where he met with his counterparts from that country and French Guiana over two days (August 13-14) and discussed the Inter-Guiana Games and how the games could be improved.
According to a release from the National Sports Commission (NSC), all three countries expressed their disappointment in the cancellation of the first leg of the games this year and it was agreed that this was a result of miscommunication.
The proposal was tabled for a new organisation of the Inter-Guiana Games which would entail a re-examination of the protocol for 2016.
Suriname’s Director of Sports Luciano Mentowikromo, French Guiana’s President of Committee of Regional Olympic Sport, along with Jones, signed an agreement committing the three countries to the second leg.
The host country, French Guiana, has committed to indicate the disciplines to participate by August 24, thereafter an inspection meeting is scheduled for September 25-26 in French Guiana.
Additionally, the release said, Guyana has submitted several amendments to the existing protocol, one of which is the lowering of the age requirements for students.
Currently the protocol caters to students under the age of 19 years to participate competitively in the games. Guyana proposes that it should be lowered to under-18, in keeping with the education policy of Guyana.
Guyana’s Sport Director reiterated and shared the history of the Inter-Guiana Games which began in 1967 and was the brainchild of the-then Premier Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham to foster a spirit of solidarity.
Jones pledged his personal commitment and that of the Government of Guyana to ensure the games continue to forge closer cohesion among the Guianas.