Work ongoing to create international exposure for hinterland athletes

While attending the opening ceremony of the North Pakaraimas District Games in Kanama Village, Region Eight, the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, revealed there is work ongoing that would allow outstanding athletes from the Heritage Games to represent the country and gain international exposure.
Minister Ramson shared, “There are major opportunities that we are working on your behalf right now, so that you can get international opportunity. In fact, you may or may not know that several persons who came and participated in District Games and Heritage Games they ended up representing Guyana overseas and internationally. Many of them have received scholarship just so that they can go and play football.”
The minister has indicated that Government would continue to fund these games in future, and expounded on the importance of the Games to the village.

“And what I can guarantee you, on behalf of the Government of Guyana, is that we will continue to fund the North Pakaraimas Games this year and next year, and the years to come under the People’s Progressive Party Government. These Games are important, they are important not just for the development of the teams, but the development of your villages; and it is a huge opportunity for every village to host these Games, it’s an opportunity for you to show every single person coming into this village what your village is like, and the hospitality of the people of the village,” Minister Ramson said.
The North Pakaraima Games will feature 22 teams from various villages competing in such sports as football, volleyball, archery and cricket. Among the participating teams are those from Kato, Kopinang, Tuseneng, Itabac, Kamana, Bamboo Creek, Micobie, Chenapau, Paramakatoi, Kanapang, and Maikwak.
The Games hold significant importance, as the winning team would represent Region Eight at the Amerindian Heritage Sports event scheduled to be held from September 11-15 at the Everest Cricket Club ground in Georgetown, where a valuable platform is provided for showcasing talent and competing at a broader level.