Dear Editor,

ON Saturday, July 1, 2023, the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a non-profit organization located at Eversham Village, East Corentyne, Berbice, will host the largest domino tournament in the country at Kiltearn Community Lodge.

The tournament will start at 13:00hrs and several domino teams from the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils in Region Six from as far as Canje; Fyrish-Gibraltar-Courtland; Whim, Lancaster-Liverpool-Manchester-Alness to Nurney-Limlair-Kildonan,-Bushlot; Evershan-Kiltearn-Brighton,to Leeds, N0. 51 and 52 and Union and Skeldon are expected to participate. Other domino teams from the region are also invited to participate.

For centuries, domino has been a regular indoor sporting activity among friends and relatives within the many villages on the Corentyne and elsewhere in Guyana, but there has never been any wide-ranging tournament among other teams in the region.

This is the first of its kind and it is expected to attract hundreds of supporters from each team, which means that the spotlight will be in Kiltearn Village. Like many other indoor sports, there will be lots of food and alcoholic beverages to consume, which is normal at any domino tournament, as well as cash prizes and trophies for the two winning teams and the two best players.

The game of dominoes originated in China in the 1300s and represent one of the oldest tools for game play. While the traditional game set comprised 32 tiles or pieces, the modern European game set has 28 tiles made from synthetic materials such as polystyrene plastics. From professional domino game competitions to setting them up and then knocking them over, dominoes allow for a variety of games, as well as the tests of skill and patience. However, the most common domino game being played today comprised four players paired into two teams that opposed each other or three individual players with seven pieces each involve the emptying of one’s hand while blocking opponents’ play.

From China, the game spread to Italy in Europe, then to France and later to England before reaching North America, the Caribbean, and the continent of Africa. The game of Dominoes is now being played internationally. It is recognized as an ingrained cultural activity within the countries of the Caribbean and is considered a generational game in the region.

In Guyana and other parts of the Caribbean, domino has become a family game, it is played mostly on weekends and is a symbol of unity and togetherness and a test of one’s patience, endurance, and knowledge of the game. It is a testimony to our enriched social culture and shared heritage as a nation. The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee is proud to sponsor the July 1, 2023, domino tournament under the “One Guyana” initiative and thanks everyone for participating and looks forward to a friendly and peaceful tournament. Following the domino tournament, which is scheduled to end at 8:00 PM, there will be a KARIOKE singing competition and a dance.

Sincerely,
Dr. Asquith Rose, MJVC Chair
Ms. Vanessa Ross-Albert, MJVC Public Relations Director