Led by inspirational captain Jemima Holmes, Purpleheart Posse produced a dominant all-round performance on Monday to cart off overall top honours in the inaugural Guyana Media Games at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary.

Staged by the Office of the Prime Minister in observance of World Press Freedom Day 2024, the one-day multi-sport activity attracted participation from six teams competing in Cricket, Futsal, Sprint Races, Relays and a series of novelty events.

Purpleheart Posse finished the day with a whopping 106 points, 24 more than Wallaba Knights (82), who were followed by Bulletwood (59), Team Jatoba (58), Team Greenheart (46) and Kirikua Titans (4).

Holmes, a Sport Journalist attached to Guyana Times, showcased her athletic prowess, emerging as the most outstanding female competitor of the day, copping the Most Valuable Player trophy on the distaff side.

Holmes’ Purpleheart teammate Godfrey Broomes, a national rugby player attached to the Department of Public Information, was adjudged the Most Valuable Player on the male side.

Purpleheart played unbeaten in both the Cricket and Futsal competitions, won the male and female Sack Race and topped the two-legged mixed race.

Purpleheart Posse comprised Jemima Holmes (Guyana Times), Godfrey Broomes (DPI), La’Wanda McAllister (Guyana Times), Paul Vanvield (Evening News), Victor Vanvield (NCN), Avenash Ramzan (News Room), Ryan Sookram (NCN), Shemar Moore Gray (Radio Guyana Inc.), Duncan Saul (Stabroek News), Esan Griffith, Christopher Campbell (NCN) and Ken Wilson (NCN).

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy said the event was a good way of having media operatives gather in one space to not just compete, but also foster camaraderie.

He said plans are in train to have the event on an annual basis as part of World Freedom Day observances.

Futsal (16 minutes games)

In the five-team tournament, Purpleheart Posse drew the bye to the semi-finals, leaving the other four teams to play the first round.

Match One saw Jatoba defeating Greenheart 3-1, with Bulletwood prevailing 4-0 over Wallaba Knights. By virtue of their larger margin of victory, Bulletwood advanced to the final.

In the lone semi-final, Purpleheart inflicted a 4-0 defeat on Jatoba with Christopher Campbell netting a hat-trick.

The grand final saw Purpleheart Posse winning 2-0 against Bulletwood with Holmes and Griffith the goalscorers.

Cricket (7-a-side, 3 overs)

In the opening match, Greenheart (54-1) edged Bulletwood (52-1) by two runs to set the tone for a competitive cricket competition.

Game two saw Purpleheart Posse limiting Jatoba to 32-3, before openers Ramzan and Sookram knocked off the target without losing a wicket.

In the third match, Wallaba Knights defended their total of 36-1, winning by six runs against Kirikua Knights. They subsequently drew the bye to the final.

In the lone semi-final, Purpleheart Posse dismissed Greenheart for a meagre 18 with Moore Gray taking arguably two of the best catches of the day on the long-on boundary.

Openers Sookram and Griffith then fired Purpleheart Posse to another victory, with all their wickets intact.

Batting first in the final, Wallaba Knights mustered 23-3, and Purpleheart Posse responded with 26-2 with Moore Gray sealing the win with a six and opener Ramzan ending not out.

Athletics and Novelty events

Lime and Spoon

Sack Race

Watermelon Eating Race

50m Dash

40m Editors Race

Two-legged Mixed Race

4x50m Mixed Relay