After being hosted in Guyana and Suriname for the last two editions, the 2024 edition of the Inter-Guiana Games is officially scheduled for Cayenne, French Guiana.
Following deliberations with the governmental authorities and officials from the respective competing territories, it was determined that the Games would be hosted October 24–26, later this year.
Already, Guyana’s arrival date at the prestigious event was determined: Tuesday, October 22, with the departure date slated for Sunday, October 27. Suriname, owing to their proximity, will arrive in the French-speaking department the day after Guyana, on October 23.
A meeting is slated for Thursday, February 22 in Cayenne, to determine the number of sport disciplines that will be contested as well as the logistical details.
Guyana’s Director of Sport (DoS), Steve Ninvalle
Guyana’s Director of Sport (DoS), Steve Ninvalle – who represented the Land of Many Waters at the forum, which also featured his counterparts from Suriname and French Guiana and was organised by the Suriname Schoolsport Foundation – disclosed, “The expeditious nature of the event’s confirmation is a clear indication and illustration of its overall impact and importance to the region as a competitive, social, and cultural endeavour. The Government of Guyana remains committed to the sustenance of this historically significant platform, as its inherent value simply cannot be denied and is a palpable reminder and reality in the future of our shared and mutual interests and values.”
Ninvalle further stated, “At a meeting held in Paramaribo, it has been proposed that Guyana host the 2025 edition. That is in keeping with the trend. Guyana would have hosted 2022; Suriname 2023; 2024 is going to be French Guiana; and then it comes back to Guyana in 2025. Also, discussions were held on the 2027 edition , which will make it 60 years of the IGG, and further discussions will be had about what happens, who to host, and whether to have the hosting shared amongst the three territories. Also discussed was the possibility of having contact sports such as karate, taekwondo, and boxing included in the upcoming IGG.”
Additionally, an evaluation exercise of the previous edition was conducted to highlight the positives, which should have been applauded, and conversely, the negatives and issues that should be addressed so as to eradicate the possibility of a reoccurrence at the impending games.
Initially held in 1967, the IGG is normally an annual affair among Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The previous iteration was staged in Suriname, with Guyana hosting the 2022 edition following a five-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The forum was also attended by Boardmember of Collectivite Territoriale de Guiane, Viviane Tchung Ming; President of the School Sport Federation Suriname and Policy advisor to the Minister (Regional Development and Sport), Aniel Ghisaidoobe; incoming Director of Sport in French Guiana, Tatiana Tisserand; outgoing Director of Sport in French Guiana and now chief of Sport, Youth and Environment in the Boardmember of Collectivite Territoriale de Guiane, Elodie Aras and Director of the Institute for Performance in School Sport, Andre Pamphile.
