Persistent rain on Friday morning forced a scaled-back opening ceremony for the 2025 Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) in Guyana, but the message from officials was clear: honour the Games’ history and perform with pride.
The tri-nation event, featuring student-athletes from Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname, officially commenced on Friday at the National Track and Field Facility, West Coast Demerara.
Despite the heavy downpour that derailed the planned gala ceremony, nearly 500 athletes and officials gathered to hear a call to action from government ministers.
The IGG remains a vital regional platform for youth development, nurturing diplomatic and sporting ties for nearly six decades.
Addressing the competitors, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., urged them to recognise the significance of the moment, urging them to both enjoy the experience and strive for excellence.
“These Games are a platform for unity, not just competition,” Ramson Jr. said. “We want you to showcase the best of your talent and produce your best performances, but we also want you to forge bonds that reinforce us as a people.”
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, echoed this sentiment, focusing on the cultural exchange inherent in the Games.
“As these three Guianas meet, we see a blending of cultures and a celebration of our shared Caribbean heritage,” Jacobs noted.
“Take this opportunity to learn from one another and use this platform to grow.”
He noted the resuscitation of the Games is linked to the vision of President Dr Irfaan Ali, who revived the Games in 2021 after the last edition was held in 2017.
Suriname’s Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Lalinie Gopal, highlighted the importance of the Games to regional diplomacy.
“The Inter-Guiana Games is more than sport; it’s about friendship,” said Minister Gopal. “Despite our different languages, we are united by the spirit of competition and mutual respect.”
The IGG competition runs from Friday to Sunday and caters exclusively to student-athletes aged 14 to 18.
This year’s competition features six core disciplines: Swimming, Athletics, Basketball, Volleyball, Futsal (Boys only) and Chess.
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