Heritage Games open with 800 athletes across Guyana

The Heritage Games, the highlight of Amerindian Heritage Month, opened on Wednesday at the Everest Cricket Ground in Georgetown with 800 athletes from all ten administrative regions competing in football, cricket, archery, volleyball, swimming and athletics.

Ministers Charles Ramson Jr, Sarah Browne and Collin Croal attended the opening ceremony.

Ramson, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, told athletes their participation was about inspiring their communities. “Where you are today, others in your community can be tomorrow. And where you are today, you can rise to national leadership,” he said.

He said the government has invested $814 million in upgrading community grounds in the past five years, “just so that you can have improved facilities moving forward.” He added that scholarships, training programmes, internet access and health services would also reach athletes and their communities. “You may be in many instances and in many circumstances far away from the capital, but that being further away doesn’t mean that you must be further away from development,” he said.

Newly appointed Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek called the games an important platform. “As an athlete myself, having once represented Region One in these very games, I understand the excitement and pride that comes with this event,” she said. “It shines a spotlight on our young Indigenous athletes and continues to open doors for representation at higher levels.”

Browne said youth empowerment remains a government priority. “These games are about much more than competition. They reflect our commitment to youth development, culture, and national unity. I wish all athletes success and may the best team prevail,” she said.

The games run until September 28 and end with a football championship for male and female teams. (DPI)