Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Mar 21, 2009 Sports
Alpha “The Hammer’ United will clash with Tempete FC of Haiti in the first leg of their home and away tie in the CONCACAF/CFU club championship this evening at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda.
The game will kick-off at 7:30pm and will be preceded by a contest between Pele and BK International Western Tigers at 4:30pm.
Tempete stated that they are here to perform at their best, while the local team have promised to run their opponents ragged. This sets the stage for an explosive and entertaining encounter.
Despite losing their last two games, Alpha are confident of performing well and local fans are expected out in their numbers to support and rally ‘The Hammer’ to a victory.
Just this week, Minister of Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony reminded Alpha’s players of the need to apply themselves to their ambassadorial duties even as the team prepare for their international engagement against Tempete FC.
Dr Anthony was at the time addressing the footballers, moments after treating them to a sumptuous lunch, at the Guyana Defence Force, Camp Seweyo base on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway where the team was encamped.
Dr Anthony told the players that government has a staunch interest in promoting Guyana as a viable sports destination and wishes to use football as the platform. He also said that he intends to collaborate with all stakeholders in order to realize this goal.
“People treat sports as though it is an after thought but sports are a big industry worldwide and must not be taken lightly,” he said. The Sports Minister pointed out that football is enjoying a high degree of support, indicative by the huge turnout at the finals of the Kashif and Shanghai tournament. The turnout at the finals of this tournament exceeded 15,000 patrons and the Minister pointed out that such support can only be replicated if the footballers apply themselves diligently to their job.
He also urged the footballers to stay focused to their task so that they can capitalize on the many opportunities available to successful players. “There are scouts out there who are on the lookout for talent,” the Minister reminded the group. “There are many opportunities awaiting each of you. Continue to dedicate yourselves to the game and the opportunities will come,” Dr Anthony added.
Dr Anthony next touched on the reciprocal benefits of corporate intervention. “Corporate support should not be regarded as charity,” he told the footballers. He said that members of the corporate community are repaid adequately after they would have supported the team.
Captain of the Alpha football Club, Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard delivered the vote of thanks and expressed gratitude to the Minister for taking the time to visit the team and imparting valuable advice. He assured the Minister that his advice would not fall on deaf ears. “We will go out and be good ambassadors and do Guyana proud,” he assured the Minister.
Meanwhile Pollard spoke to Kaieteur Sport about the team’s approach to the game. He debunked the views of the pundits that his team was in low spirits after suffering two losses on the trot, one to a President’s XI side and the other to Pele FC in the just concluded Mayor’s Cup competition.
“On the contrary those losses came at the right time and served to remind us that we are not indispensable. We also realized that we need to put a little more effort into our game,” Pollard philosophized. He said that ‘The Hammer’ have regrouped and are rearing to go. “We have analyzed our mistakes and are eager to make reparations for Saturday’s game,” he said.
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Apr 19, 2024
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