IGG cancelled, Goodwill Games to be held between Guyana and Suriname

– athletics won’t be featured

The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) says the 2012 Inter Guiana Games (IGG) has been cancelled and in its place a Goodwill Games has been scheduled between Guyana and Suriname in Suriname.

AAG president Colin Boyce said yesterday that French Guiana was unable to host the games. He also revealed that the discipline of athletics, where Guyana has been dominant for the past two decades will not be featured in what will now be a Goodwill Games between the two nations.

Neil Kumar

“There will now be a Goodwill Games between Guyana and Suriname with some events being here in Guyana and some in Suriname but I was also told no athletics will be held this year,” Boyce said.

“There was a decision to be made between cycling and athletics and I do not know if it is because of our dominance in athletics but a preference was for cycling by Suriname and they chose cycling. I thought Mr. Gervy Harry would have already prepared a release for the media houses by now because the meeting was on Saturday,” Boyce told this newspaper.

The AAG head said he was disappointed that athletics will not be featured in the Goodwill Games…. “because of all the athletes and clubs that would have been preparing for the event and there was no explanation as to why athletics was not being held.  I will now have to talk with the clubs about the decision,” he said.

Meanwhile, Boyce said he did now know if Suriname would be participating in the games, in response to a query from this newspaper.

Contacted for a comment yesterday Director of Sport Neil Kumar said arrangements were still being finalized. “I’m currently in a meeting but arrangements are still being finalized and we will issue a press release soon.”

Athletics has been Guyana’s greatest strength at the IGG for the past two decades with the Guyana team defeating both Suriname and French Guiana over the years.

Last year the IGG was held in Suriname with Guyana once again coming out on top as athletics champions among the three nations.

Meanwhile a press release from the Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) stated yesterday that the basketball aspect of the Games will be held in Suriname.

The YBG also said the names of its players “will be selected prior to the team’s November departure for Surname.”