Latest update March 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 06, 2016 Sports
GFC host opening double header tomorrow
By Franklin Wilson
Following a hiatus of just over one year, Premier League football is set to make
a grand return to the City tomorrow when the Stag/GFA Premier League kicks off with a double header at the Georgetown Football Club Ground.
A new champion will be crowned when the dust would have been settled following what is anticipated to be keen rivalry among the eight competing teams; Santos, Camptown, Western Tigers, Riddim Squad, Beacons, Police, Northern Rangers and Flamingo. Former champs Fruta Conquerors is now an Elite League team.
At the launch of the League yesterday, attended by Georgetown Football Association (GFA) President Clifton Hicken, VPs Charles Greaves and Frank ‘English’ Parris, Secretary Ms. Althea Scipio along with Ansa McAl’s PRO Ms. Darshanie Yussuf and Stag Beer Rep. Shawn Abel, the two entities pledged to cement a strong partnership towards the development of the sport.
While voicing the company’s appreciation at being able to collaborate with the GFA for this league, Yussuf noted that her company is sincere in its desire to see the sport played throughout the length and breadth of Guyana, stating that Georgetown is one part of the whole.
“We are very committed to football, as you know we are committed to the East Bank
league, to West Demerara and on the East Coast of Demerara we are located. But you’ll notice that we’re in Linden, Bartica, Essequibo and Berbice, so it’s not just that we are focusing on one area. We are also the main sponsor of the Stag Elite League which is being played in a number of areas not just the City.”
Ms. Yussuf said that one of the reasons Ansa McAl got into football is to aid in honing the hundreds of talented players that abound in Guyana.
“We see talent as one of the ways in developing people and we see that every single day. But you need support and that is what we are lending. So while the Stag Elite League has the cream of the crop, we are helping these teams throughout Guyana to get to the cream of the crop.”
“Sponsorship like these, they are twofold. It ensures that the game and it also helps these players to reach their highest potential not only for them but also for our country.”
The PRO who also noted that the aim is to ensure that local players break into the international arena, posited that Ansa McAl wants to put their stamp on structured football.
“Ansa McAl wants to own structured, organised football, so we will support football at every single level.”
Mention was made of the company’s ‘Stag crown Your Community’ Promotion which will see one community in Guyana being able to upgrade their facility and field to the tune of Three Million Guyana Dollars.
GFA President Hicken in his remarks thanked Ms. Yussuf and Ansa McAl for their commitment noting that he was indeed honoured to be at the helm of City football at this juncture.
Hicken noted that when he took over the reins he had indicated that the game would be played structurally and football would be played throughout the year.
“We started off with the yearend tournament from a different sponsor and then we went into the youth group football under the auspices of the Commander through the GFA and now on our first approach to Ansa McAl we were greeted with open hands.”
Building capacity in terms of developing more first division players who can make it to the Elite level is priority, Hicken underscored.
“In forecasting, Ansa McAl also took responsibility in terms of part sponsorship for the grassroots football which we are coming to the community with immediately after this league, so the succession is good.”
Hicken also informed that tournaments would be played at the Under13, 15, 17 and 19 levels during the year.
“Like Ansa McAl, we can only ask other stakeholders from the corporate sector to come on board because we are seeing the benefits from developing football at all levels in this country. If you maximize the use of the youths especially, have them do something constructive with their energy, I think society will develop in terms of morals. We have less perpetration of violence because we will be focused in terms of mentorship by keeping them {players} occupied.”
Football, Hicken explained would be developed to a level so that Guyana can be very proud stating that there is no doubt that we have capacity, pointing out that he likes the support that is coming from the GFF and the level of communication towards the single objective of developing the sport.
Listen to the man that is throwing Guyanese bright future away
Mar 19, 2024
Kaieteur Sports – The Dennis DeoRoop-trained horse, Stolen Money, dominated the field to claim victory in the feature event at the Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club, Bush Lot East Berbice on...Kaieteur News – The government has embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development spree. It has initiated major... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – In 2024, a series of general elections in Latin American countries, including... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]