IGG begins today with Grand Ceremony and high anticipation

The spirit of regional unity takes centre stage today as the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG) officially begin, bringing together student-athletes ages 14 to 18 from Guyana, French Guiana, and Suriname.
The prestigious tri-nation event opens with a gala ceremony at 09:30h at the National Track and Field Centre, West Demerara, marking the start of three days of competition, camaraderie, and cultural exchange.

Government officials from all three participating nations will join athletes, coaches, and dignitaries in declaring the Games open, reinforcing the long-standing diplomatic and sporting ties that the IGG has nurtured for nearly six decades.
This year’s edition features competition in swimming, track and field, futsal, chess, and basketball, with male and female categories in each discipline, except futsal, which will be contested solely by the boys.
The event remains a vital platform for youth development, allowing young athletes to showcase their talent on an international stage while strengthening bonds among the Guianas.
“We’re expecting an exciting IGG,” Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle said, emphasising the Games’ significance to the region.
“The three countries share a rich history, and the IGG has played an integral role in shaping our diplomatic relations over the years. It’s something that this Government under President Irfaan Ali takes seriously,” Ninvalle said.
The IGG was last held in French Guiana in 2024, continuing a tradition that began in 1967. Interestingly, that inaugural event was shaped by the efforts of former national footballer ‘QT’ Donald, who was sent to Suriname by then-President Forbes Burnham to collaborate on establishing the framework of what would become a cornerstone of regional youth sport.
Football was the first discipline contested at the IGG, with Suriname and Guyana competing for the Forbes Burnham/Johan Pengel Trophy, named in part after Suriname’s Prime Minister at the time, Johan Adolf Pengel. Basketball later joined the roster in 1972.
Ninvalle underscored that the preservation and continuity of the IGG are priorities for the National Sports Commission (NSC), adding, “It is our responsibility to ensure the Games are executed at the highest standard, We owe it to the young athletes and to the legacy of cooperation built through sport.”
Competition officially gets underway today at 11:30h, with Guyana looking to defend its track and field trophy.
Later in the afternoon, attention shifts to chess at the National Racquet Centre and volleyball at the National Gymnasium from 26:00h, where Guyana and French Guiana will face off in both male and female matches.
The action continues at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall from 5:00 pm, beginning with the women’s basketball showdown between Guyana and French Guiana, followed by a men’s encounter between French Guiana and Suriname. The first day’s festivities conclude with futsal, where Suriname and French Guiana will collide under the lights.
The competition runs daily until Sunday.