Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle delivers his address during the IGG opening ceremony
There were much pomp and splendour at the Progt Palais Omnisports facility in Cayenne, French Guiana on Wednesday evening as yet another edition of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG), featuring athletes from Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana, officially opened.
The 2024 tournament saw approximately 140 Guyanese youth athletes making their way to the French territory in anticipation of competing in seven sport disciplines: athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, chess, futsal, swimming and table tennis.
During Wednesday evening’s opening ceremony, Guyana’s Director of Sport (DoS), Steve Ninvalle, who spoke on behalf of the delegation from the Land of Many Waters, stated that the prestigious event has improved and grown with each iteration, and this has occurred and ultimately would only continue to occur by keeping the doors of discourse and channels of communication open.
According to Ninvalle, while he understands the challenges that are faced in the staging of an event and operation of such magnitude, the respective custodians of this event are up to the task given its historical significance.
He further noted that Guyana’s commitment under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali in the initial restoration and now the continued development and expansion of this regional championship was unquestionable given the unprecedented support afforded to the sport sector.
“Long live the Inter-Guiana Games,” Ninvalle proclaimed.
At the helm of the Guyanese contingent in French Guiana is Chef-de-Mission Dr Karen Pilgrim; National Sports Commission (NSC) Vice Chairwoman Christie Campbell and veteran sports administrator Gervy Harry, among other individuals, who were instrumental in the process of selecting, managing, and ensuring the logistical infrastructure for Guyana’s participation. Andrea Pamphile was also instrumental in assisting Team Guyana following their arrival, in every capacity.
The selection process for the annual event was staged in collaboration with the respective local sport associations and federations and lasted for several weeks.
Originally held in 1967, the IGG are traditionally an annual competition among the territories of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The previous edition was staged in Suriname, with Guyana hosting the 2022 edition following a five-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
