As Heritage Games festivities culminated on Sunday at the Everest Cricket Club ground, fans were able to witness three intense finals under lights in the male and female football and volleyball activities. The winners of these events were: Pariuma and Kako in the female and male football, and Regions 7 and One in the male and female volleyball.
Female football champions Pariuma
Kamarang vs Pariuma (Female Football)
Defending champions Sebai having been knocked out, this game belonged to anyone who was ‘hungry’ enough to fight for it.
Kamarang had given a stellar performance in their semifinal game, and were considered a definite shoo-in for the crown. But on the night of the action, it seemed as though nerves got in the way of the Kamarang side, and they were defeated 2-1.
Female volleyball champions Region 1
The first half of the matchup was quiet, with neither side scoring any goal despite many attempts. The second half however saw Zulika McNaughtor register Kamarang’s first goal in the 50th minute, to give them a well-deserved 1-0 lead.
Twenty minutes had passed and the girls from Pariuma were unable to score, but in the 70th minute, Jadyln Williams produced the equaliser to give her side hope.
Five minutes later, Pariuma took control of the game with a Satuaka Sai blast past the keeper; and her side held the lead for the remainder of the match, to be crowned 2019 champions.
Moruca vs Kako (Male Football)
This fixture saw many opportunities go abegging, as the first half had everyone in the entire ground on the edges of their seats with both teams missing chances on many occasions. And although they continued to press on in search of a goal, faith dictated that neither side would be able to score after the first 45 minutes.
Male volleyball champions Region 7
Heading into the second half, what looked like a possible penalty shootout ended in the in the 55th minute with the Moruca hero Ronaldo Rodrigues blasting the lone goal into the competitor’s net to have his side deemed the 2019 champs.
No amount of substitution seemed to do the trick for Kako, who had impressed in their semifinal fixture.
Volleyball (Male) Region 2 vs Region 7
The team to keep an eye on was Region 2, Mainstay, in their semifinal, because they had defeated Spartan with quiet ease. Despite losing the first round 15-3, they bounced back in the final two rounds to take the game 15-12 and 17-15 to book themselves a spot against Region 7.
In the finale between Regions 7 and 2, the latter team’s stellar performance deserted them, and despite winning the first round 17-15, they went on to lose the other two 15-12 and 17-15.
Volleyball (Female) Region 4 vs Region 1
This intense showdown produced a display of complete domination of Region 4, who had the upper hand in terms of experienced players, but lost to Region 1, who showed heart and determination. Heading in to round 1, Region 4 lost 15-9 in making silly mistakes upfront and needing correction.
Needing to win the second round, Region 4 shocked the spectators by their underperformance, losing 15-5 and giving Region 1 the crown on a platter.
The complete results of the winners and runners-up of the Indigenous Heritage Games 2019.
Football
Female – Paiwomak Warriors, Region 9
MVP – Satisha Sai
Runner-up – Kamarang, Region 7.
Male – Moruca, Region 1
MVP – Ronaldo Rodrigues
Runner-up – Kako, Region 1
Cricket
Female – Moruca, Region 1
Woman of the match – Marva Benjamin
Runner-up – Swan, Region 4
Male – Mahdia, Region 8
Man of the Match – Vickey
Runner-up – Region 1
Volleyball
Female – Moruca, Region 1
MVP -Annalisa Vincent
Runner-up – Kanaimas, Region 4
Male – Bartica, Region 7
MVP – Breyon Burnett
Runner-up – Mainstay, Region 2
Archery
Cadet Female U12 – Marisha Melville 1st, Aliya Melville 2nd, Anjalie Adams 3rd
Cadet Male U12 – Ravedo Kanhai 1st, Robeno Kanhai 2nd, Stephon Pearson 3rd
Youth Male U13-17 – McLee George 1st & Bert Paul 2nd
Youth Female U13-17 – Sarah Fredericks 1st, Serena Clenkian 2nd, Beyonce Dundas 3rd
Adult Female – Ausilda Paulin 1st, Rushell Dundas 2nd, Brenette Gordon 3rd
Adult Male – Alex Pearson 1st, Jude Edwin 2nd, Aubrey De Souza 3rd.
