Dear Editor,
A recent post by Minister Manickchand on Gam brought back fond memories of the sports deeply rooted in our culture. The renewed focus on sports in schools every Friday afternoon is a great opportunity to celebrate and strengthen our common cultural roots. Independent of who takes office after the upcoming elections we should jointly strive to embrace what has been accepted as Guyanese.
This would mean promoting the playing of sports and competitions in games such as underhand flannel ball cricket, overhand hardball cricket, rounders, small and large goal football, gam, jumping chinee, netball, basketball, volleyball, chink, bird singing, table tennis, badminton, squash, dominoes and rap rummy to name a few. Many countries do not play the wealth of games found in Guyana, and the games we have embraced in our country reflects the diversity and inclusion that we have been able to accomplish.
His Excellency’s idea of Friday afternoon sports provides an opportunity to have an annual build up to Mashramani for the finals in many of the sports across the country. I am sure many adults would also be interested in having competitions across the different villages and parts of the city and towns that lead to a national championship. This helps not only strengthen our national culture, but also builds solidarity at a time when it is most needed. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport should work closely together to develop a comprehensive plan for the festivities around such an annual celebration of our culture and sport. The Ministry of Tourism can also be instrumental in the marketing and promotion of such a glorious annual event, where the entire nation has an opportunity to showcase their talents and celebrate the achievements of our fellow Guyanese.
Best regards,
Jamil Changlee
