Latest update April 7th, 2025 6:08 AM
Grand opening ceremony ushers in IGG second leg in Suriname
Games are important to youth development – Minister of Sport Dr. Adna
By Franklin Wilson in Suriname
Compliments of Crown Mining Supply
and Fazia’s Collection
The second leg of the Inter Guiana Games was officially opened yesterday afternoon at
Team Guyana during the official March Past of teams.
the Andre Kamperven Stadium following a simple but colorful ceremony, Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Dr. Ismanto Adna delivered the feature remarks before declaring the games open.
The march past of the teams and hoisting of the French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname flags were done whilst the national anthems were being played by the band corps of the Suriname Defence Force.
Director of Sport in Guyana, Neendkumar in his remarks posited that the youths of the respective countries are their greatest assets. He noted that the games are used to strengthen the relationship between the nations at the sport level.
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Suriname Dr. Ismanto Adna in welcoming the athletes said that the countries must do everything possible to assure the continuation of the games in the upcoming years. He informed that his Government fully supports the IGG and expressed gratitude to the Guyana and French Guiana Governments for supporting also.
“We want sports to develop consistently and want to give the youth the ability to be aware of the benefits of sport and physical activity in order to have a healthy and productive community. We also want them to deal with, and respect victory and loss. The Inter Guiana Games have proven to be an
Director of Sport NeedKumar (4th right front row) and Suriname Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs (5th right) during the official opening ceremony.
event that supports this aspiration.”
Minister Adna also thanked the various sports associations, coaches, medical staff and volunteers whose collective efforts have also contributed to the success of the games over the years. While challenging the athletes to go for victory, Minister Adna also encouraged the athletes to play fair.
Other officials delivering remarks was the Head of Delegation of French Guiana Mr. Jean-Claude Mairema and Suriname Permanent Secretary of Education Dr.. Robert Peneux.
Brief history of the IGG
The games began officially in 1967 in Suriname with the three Guiana’s competing, Suriname won this inaugural event with Guyana second. Guyana hosted in 68 with Suriname again coming out on top.
Founders of the IGG were Orlando Amson, E. Adbul Raman, Eddie Van Genderen of Suriname and O.T Mc Donald and Derrick Whitehead of Guyana.
French Guiana refused to host the games in 1969 and 1970. The Surinamese it was that took the initiative to organize the games in 1970. The age range was increased from 17 to 18 in 1971. In 1975, Tennis was added to the list and this same year Guyana overall won with Suriname only winning at football.
No IGG was organized from 1980 to 1992 and when it was revived in 1993 in Suriname, Guyana was victorious winning the only two games contested, athletics and football. Boys volleyball and girls basketball was added in 1994. There was another lull in the games between 2001 to 2006 when it was held again.
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