Now that the regional games are over, all focus is on the national showdown in the second annual Republic Bank/One Guyana ‘B’ Division Volleyball tournament, set to take place on November 1-2 in Georgetown.
The Cliff Anderson Sports Hall and the National Gymnasium will be utilised over the two days as top teams from across the country converge in the city for the grand finale.
With the exception of Region Eight, games were played in the other nine regions with over 1,000 players of all ages representing a total of 78 clubs and teams.
Through to the national playoff in the male segment are Spartans of Mabaruma, Mainstay, Wakapoa, Warriors of Bartica, defending champions Hururu, Glasgow Rangers, Classic Ball Blasters and Castrol of Demerara, Port Mourant Training Centre and Rollers of Berbice, Orealla and Central Rupununi.
On the female side, defending champions Spartans will put their title on the line against Wakapoa, Imbaimadai, Pakuri, Glasgow Rangers of Linden, Classic Ball Blasters and Saints of Demerara, Port Mourant Training Centre and Rollers of Berbice, Warriors, Central Rupununi and Moruca.
Speaking at the launch of the national playoff on Saturday morning, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. said the ‘B’ Division is not just another tournament, but an integral part of the ministry’s National Sports Academy Programme.
“And what’s important for us is widening the pool of talent from which there is a process of the best talents emerging out of that. And why we sat and worked with the Volleyball Federation was that we can have this national talent development process,” Minister Ramson Jr. explained.
“When we were there last year and we saw the teams from Region One and other parts (of the country) showing the hunger and passion, it give us a true sense of why we’re doing what we’re doing. It also shows that the talent exists- it exists all over- and we wouldn’t be doing our job in the best possible way without having tournaments like these.”
A unifying force
Apart from the success of the teams and the avenue that is created for talents to thrive, President of the Guyana Volleyball Federation John Flores was quite enthused by the impact the tournament has had on communities, serving as a great unifying force.
“I remember a grandmother, her daughter and her daughter being on one team in the Rupununi. Such is the impact of this tournament for this family game of volleyball,” Flores highlighted.
“And I want to thank these communities publicly for their sacrifice in travelling great distances to be part of this tournament within the regions.”
According to Flores, the national playoff has expanded from 10 to 12 teams in each category “and I do suspect there will be fierce competition from some of the tournaments that I have witnessed.”
The GVF head indicated that since the Federation has been able to unearth new talents in the rural areas, many players have been selected to national teams, “especially into our IGG (Inter-Guiana Games) Under-18 teams and I am sure we will have better teams to make Guyana proud in December.”
‘Not just a sponsorship’
Managing Director of title sponsor Republic Bank, Dr. Toussaint Boyce said through its social investment initiative ‘Power to Make a Difference’, the bank has strategically invested in sport as it sees this as one of the most powerful tools of positive change.
“Sport does more than entertain- it teaches life lessons that go far beyond the court, such as teamwork, discipline and resilience,” Dr. Boyce asserted.
“And that’s why we’re so proud of our partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Guyana Volleyball Federation. Together we believe we’re giving very talented young men and women across Guyana a platform to grow, compete and shine.”
“For us it just isn’t a sponsorship- it’s an investment in our youth, our communities and the future of sport in Guyana.”
Based on the tournament format, the male and female categories will be divided into four groups of three, with teams playing against each other in their group. The winner of each group will then advance to the semi-finals.
Preliminary games on November 1 will be held at the National Gymnasium and Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, while on November 2 the semi-finals and finals will take place at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
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