Suriname beats Guyana in Draughts competition

- Jairam senior, Heyliger junior are Draught champs

Guyana’s senior and junior team last weekend when down to their opponents, Suriname in a return encounter in Draughts at the National Stadium.
The competition, which started on Friday and concluded on Sunday, saw both teams going down to the Surinamese 2-1 and 3-0 respectively. Last October Guyana lost 3-1 in Paramaribo, Khemraj Pooranmall and Jairam were the only two to secure points for their country.

Some of the top participants at the Goodwill Draughts tournament with Suriname display their rewards.

Mark Brathwaite, Wayne Forde and Floyd Cumberbatch were outplayed by the Suriname players.  Jairam proved to be too strong for the Dutch and local players in the individual rapid competition which was played on Sunday after the conclusion of team games.
He, in all three rounds, outplayed his opponents to win the Champion’s trophy before being awarded with the 2012 International Draughts Tournament trophy (sponsored by B.B Trading in Suriname).
Another Guyanese, Q. Heyliger won the junior rapid competition.
Khemraj Pooranmall and Heyliger took top honours in the senior and junior division for Guyana.
Consular in the Suriname Embassy in Guyana, Tjark Olivieira who was present at the competition urged the youths in Guyana to play the game more like that of their counterparts in Suriname.
Jairam, President of the Guyana Draughts Association (GDA), thanked all the participants for their efforts while addressing the gathering at the tournament.
He added, “These exchanges of games will help to foster closer ties with neighbouring countries.
Suriname’s Draughts Instructor, Basdewsing presented a game clock and other useful instruments for beginners to the President of GDA.