Return of Inter-Guiana Games set for November 2022

By Jemima Holmes

After more than 4 years of being on the back burner, the Inter-Guiana Games have been confirmed for a November 2022 return. This announcement was made by Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr. during the closing ceremony of the ‘Teach Them Young’ Summer Swimming programme on Sunday last at the National Aquatic Centre in Liliendaal.

Approximately one year ago, President Dr. Irfaan Ali disclosed that the Inter- Guiana Games would return soon, following discussions on nation building with his Surinamese counterpart, President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. Now, after Director of Sport (DoS) Steve Ninvalle met and lobbied with his sporting counterparts in Suriname and French Guiana, the games have been given a return date: November 25th–27th, 2022.
“We’ve been able to secure the participation of both French Guiana and Suriname in the return of the Inter Guiana Games, which will be held on the 25th, 26th and 27th of November,” Ramson Jr. proudly announced on Sunday.
Alluding to the importance of the Games, Ramson jr. highlighted that they would present an opportunity for Guyanese youths to test their mettle against their counterparts.
“This allows us a local opportunity to participate against international athletes right here in Guyana. So that there is that journey to develop your talent that we’re going to have every single year. The Inter-Guiana is going to be held, so that you can have the opportunity to compete against other athletes from other countries,” the Sport Minister explained.
Turning his attention to the parents present, he shared, “I believe in your children just as much as you believe in them, and it is very important to see that they turn into the successful role models and examples at the highest possible opportunities and classifications that they get the opportunity to advance in.”
This year’s games will be the first in quite a few years, since the games were last hosted in Suriname in 2017, with the absence of French Guiana. However, Ramson Jr. is already thinking big, as he revealed plans to make it a regional event.

“And we’re going to make it bigger. We’re going to start to invite other countries from the Caribbean to be part of the Inter-Guiana Games, and when the time comes, we’re going to invite other countries from South America, so that we develop an annual Games for 10+ disciplines, where it will be the biggest sport tournament for the region, right here in Guyana,” Ramson Jr declared.
The Inter-Guiana Games usually feature youth athletes who are attending school or other educational institutions competing in several disciplines; namely, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Cycling, Football, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball.