Lethem Day of Interaction dubbed as sensational

May 29, 2011 Sports

---

They came by the hundreds to the first ever Day of Interaction held in the hinterland region of Region # 9.
The activity was held at the St. Ignatius Community Centre Ground last Sunday.  The Day of Interaction which was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport/ National Sports Commission in partnership with the Office of the Regional Democratic Council, Region # 9 and UNICEF, saw athletes and supporters gathering as early as 08:00hrs from communities such as Lethem, Culvert City, St. Ignatius, Tabatinga, Kumu, Quarrie, Moco Moco, Parishara, Nappi, Haiwa, Pariqurinau, Shulinab and Patarinau and also a contingent from Bon Fin (Brazil).
The pavilion was packed to capacity.  People were gathered in various parts of the ground in large numbers.  Seats were not available but the players were happy to sit on the ground and rally lustily behind their village teams.
In attendance to participate in this historical day, were the Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mr. Neil Kumar, Director of Sport, Mr. Alfred King, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Mesdames Jewel Crosse, Adolescent Development and Participation Officer and Christine Hofer, JPO –M & E and Social Policy, UNICEF, Mr. Dharamkumar Seeraj, General Secretary, Guyana Rice Producers’ Association, Mr. Ronald Harsawack, Regional Executive Officer, Region # 9 among other Regional Officers and community leaders and several Tousicios.
The officials addressing the gathering, all expressed satisfaction at the large turnout from the various communities and the discipline and interest shown and advised that he Day of Interaction continues to achieve its objective of bringing large number of people together which will help to make the society more cohesive.
In his remarks, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, informed those present of government’s policy, plans and programmes for the development of sports, sports facilities and sportsmen and sportswomen around the country and the interior in particular.
St. Ignatius, with the largest contingent and Patarinau the best uniformed team gained the judges nod and were rewarded with special prizes.
It was interesting to observe the high level of performances at the different sports disciplines.  The female volleyball players displayed tremendous skill and knowledge of the game.  They were encouraging to watch when they were in action.
In Male Voleyball – 11 teams participated.  After the preliminary and semifinal games, St. Ignatius “B” met Parishara in the final and won by 2 sets to one.
In the female section – St. Ignatius defeated Patarinau in the final by 2 sets to nil.  8 teams contested.
Of the 6 teams registered, Agriculture scoring 70 runs for 2 wickets defeated Patarinau, 37 runs for 4 wickets in the first semifinal.  The second semifinal saw Shulinab with 50 runs without loss, winning over Kumu who were only able to score 38 runs for 8 wickets in reply.
The two giants met in the final.  Again Agriculture were unstoppable as they crushed Shulinab.  Batting first, Agriculture scored 93 runs for 2 wickets and restricted Shulinab to 56 runs for 3 wickets.
For the winners D. Jagdeo, 37 runs and B. Narine, 29 runs not out were the main scorers, while J. Eusibio, 30 runs and E. Lewis, 18 runs were the top scorers for the losers.
The male football competition had 8 teams. In the first semifinal, Parishara with 1 goal each from E. Williams and J. Lamaizon defeated Tabatinga, 2 goals to nil.
A. Leonard’s lone goal enabled St. Ignatius “A” to edge Moco Moco 1 goal to nil.
The anticipated exciting final saw St. Ignatius “A” and Tabatinga play to a 1 all draw at the end of regulation time.  However, St. Ignatius “A”, through a goal from T. Parks were victorious by way of sudden death penalty shootout.
An encouraging 10 teams participated in the female football competition.  After outstanding performances in the preliminary games which included national players from Region # 9, Bon Fin of Brazil lost to Kumu by nil to 1 in the semifinal.  In the closely contested final, Kumu edged Haiwa by 2 goals to 1 goal.  The final was fast paced and the crowd went wild as the two teams played very good football.
Police with 89 games got the better of Tabatinga who scored 72 games leaving St. Ignatius at the bottom with 53 games in the Domino competition.
Trophies were presented to winners and runners – up in the different disciplines.  Sports gears and equipment were also distributed to assist in the development of sports in Region # 9.
Arrangements are already in place to have another Day of Interaction in Region # 9.
Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony – Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport promised to develop several grounds in the Region, while he was very generous in giving out sports equipment which the clubs and villagers said will make them prepare better for the games later this year.

---

---