Amerindian Heritage Games: Region 1 clinches Male and Female Volleyball Championships

Determination and the support of passionate fans led the way as Region One came out on top of their competition to go two for two for females and three for three for males, clinching the championship title in male and female volleyball at the Annual Heritage Games on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Ground.
In the male final, the Region One outfit managed to start the game on a high note against Region Seven as they won the first set of five, giving the team a major advantage with two points being the decider with the scoresheet reading 24-22.
The second and third sets saw the Region One outfit, with their ability to convert their strikes, securing the victory. At the end of the second set, the scoreline read 25-20 and the third set came down to a single point, 25-24.
Speaking exclusively with Guyana Times Sport, Region One’s Male Captain, Jude Melville divulged their grateful feeling and the key elements that went towards the win.
Melville said, “It’s overwhelming right now. We’ve been the defending champs for three years in a row. The competition is stiff every year we come, but we as a Region One team, we always put in the effort, we come out, we support each other. Winning is as good as losing. Sometimes when you lose, you just come back strong. This year’s feelings is more than the rest of the times, because we come out as a unit. I’m a player-coach as well, I’ve been coaching the female team and I’m very much committed to be the coach of a winning team and also a captain of a winning team, so that’s both male and female.”

The female Region One outfit managed to destroy and conquer as they secured their win in the final, showcasing their class with their punting skills securing wins in two sets out of three, with the score reading 25-14 and at the end of the second quarter, 25-19.
Region One Female Captain Deona Campbell, also speaking exclusively to this publication, commended their fans for their support and spoke about the overwhelming feelings that came with the win.
Campbell said, “Well, right now my feelings are overwhelming as much. This is the second year being the champs. We were champs in 2023 and this is our second year in 2024. At least, we had a lot of confidence that we will do it. Even though it was kind of a little difficult for us, we made it through. And with all our supporters, I just want to thank all the supporters. Region One, I just want to give you a big thanks for supporting us that we could make it this far.”
The Heritage Games , one of the hallmarks of Amerindian Heritage celebrations, shines a spotlight on Indigenous sportsmanship and culture, and will see participation from 735 athletes. As such, this year’s theme, “Many Voices, One Song,” emphasises unity and the rich heritage of Guyana’s Indigenous peoples.