Inter Guiana Games on stream for successful first phase

Mar 31, 2009 Sports

Set for April 24 – 27 in Guyana

Minister of CY&S Dr. Frank Anthony (2nd left) makes a point at yesterday’s press briefing. Other officials from right are Director of Sport Neil Kumar, French Guiana’s Deputy Director of International Relations Travise Tricey, Gervy Harry (NSC) and Michael Watson, Deputy Director of Sport – Suriname.

By Franklin Wilson
Following a successful series of meetings over the last three days, Minister of Culture Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony has declared that all systems are in place for the successful staging of the first phase of the games April 24 – 27 in Georgetown Guyana.
Meetings took place between delegations from the three countries (Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana) who will go head to head against each other in athletics, football and swimming in both the male and female categories.
Among the areas discussed at length were transportation, security, venue accommodation (hotel & play), meals, and medical among others.
Long and fruitful discussions also took place on achieving a standardised technical document which would govern the games at all times and this was at the behest of Dr. Anthony.
The games Dr. Anthony said, also serves to strengthen the relationship between the countries and the people to people contact. According to the minister, the quest to have a high standard achieved at the Games has been constant and he is very pleased that the entire body is very receptive to new ideas aimed at improving all the time.
The Minister also stated that perhaps it is time to have a high level policy review of the Games and this would be done at a subsequent time beginning at the level of the Ministers.
The visiting delegations will arrive in Guyana overland on April 23 with the opening ceremony and commencement of the Games set for the 24th.
Director of Sports Neil Kumar in very brief comments thanked the Inter Guiana Games Standing Committee for their work over the last three days, highlighting the contributions of the representatives of the Swimming, Athletics and Football Bodies.
“They did a good job in helping us to put everything together and I want to say that although I was not there a lot after the first meeting, I am very satisfied that we have achieved the desired targets.”
Michael Watson, Deputy Director of Sport – Suriname, stated his satisfaction with arrangements and plans to date. “I must say that the Guyanese government has made a lot of efforts in planning for these games and we can say that the organising has been very good so far and I would like to complement them on this.”
The various delegations were expected to sign off on the minutes and the technical rules yesterday which would have made their three days of hectic meetings and deliberations, a tremendous success. An administrative meeting also dealt with protocol for the games.
Watson confirmed that some adjustments were also recommended and agreed to the protocol agreement, which are very important.
“We had a very fruitful time here and we can say that this is one of the best meetings we had in all times. We had to make a lot of decisions during the meetings and I want to thank the government of Guyana especially the Minister and the National Sports Commission for giving us this opportunity to meet here.”
Representing French Guiana was Deputy Director of International Relations Travise Tricey who echoed Watson’s sentiments on the outcome of deliberations coupled with the general atmosphere in which they were held.
“We are very satisfied and happy to see that genuine efforts were made to address our requests, hotel accommodation and other venues and we are pleased to have the technical meeting to straighten certain aspects and everything has worked out well, we have learnt a lot. Our delegation has grown and is much more edified from the experience of Guyana and Suriname and for this, we are very grateful.”
Last weekend, football trials were concluded for both male and female Guyana teams while athletics will be done on April 5th. Kumar reported. The male and female swimming teams have already been named by the Guyana Amateur Swimming Association and will be known shortly.
Kumar also informed that only the football teams will be encamped for a short period leading up to the start of the games and this is due to financial constraints. That period will be decided when the local standing committee meets sometime soon.
Yesterday’s press briefing was chaired by Administrative Officer of the NSC, Gervy C. Harry.

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