Latest update April 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Feb 13, 2013 Sports
With the fraternity a little more at ease, football fans are now enjoying a glut of tournaments that are making life a little difficult for media organisations.
Shortly after the FIFA / CONCACAF team mediate and brought about a resolution to the long standing impasse that seriously affected the sport, suddenly it has become full of activity with competitions being staged all over.
Not wasting the opportunity to take advantage of the new lease of life that the sport is enjoying right now, recently formed Slingerz FC launched its own tournament which will be known as the Stag Beer West Side Knockout Competition and is scheduled to kick off on February 17, at the Den Amstel ground, West Demerara.
Eight teams will contest the inaugural Tournament and they are Slingerz FC, Den Amstel, Young Achievers, Seawall United, Eagles United, Beavers, Stewartville and Uitvlugt.
“I am very pleased that the possibilities exist not only for the development of football in West Coast of Demerara which is the primary objective, but the standard of football that will be exhibited and played on a regional scale”, said Chairman Bilall Natambu.
He said too that this tournament is a welcoming project for the West Demerara where there is a shortage of football competitions.
Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite, Coach of Slingerz Football Club in his address, said the tournament was organized to set Slingerz FC on the road to playing football.
“Our mandate on the West Side is to develop football to such a level that by next the years to come the best football will be played on the Westside as it once was. And we hope that people will not look at us as a team that is trying to just come to play a off thing, but that it’s something that will be forever.”
According to the Ultimate Warrior he is not known for being a part of projects that are short term, but long term.
“We hope that by the time this tournament is over, our mandate would be fully established to play good football and develop football and make sure that Westside is number one.”
He however said that Slingerz is on the road to self-development and it is his hope that other clubs will follow, because for Slingerz to reach the top they much able to compete with clubs that are at their level.
Meanwhile, President of the Guyana Football Federation, Franklin Wilson said he was happy that Slingerz will be playing a more meaningful role in the development of football.
“I don’t think this is the first time that Slingerz is partnering with football because when I was over there as President they sponsored our senior tournament under the two brothers brand. So I think this is just a step further in their commitment by now pulling together a team that we have been told that coach Braithwaite that it will set a higher standard on the West Side.”
Wilson in a bid to dispel rumours of the clubs legitimacy said the GFF has endorsed that club.
“We have been in contact with the West Demerara Football Association, to ensure that they follow the criteria based on the constitution, to have them legitimately recognised as a registered club on the West Side, which is an addition and is good for football as a whole. We would like to see competition level rising in all the association which ultimately would be a benefit for Guyana’s football as a whole.”
Acting President of the West Demerara Football Association Jevon Rodrigues said the West Demerara has always produced competitive teams and a high calibre of players some of whom have played at the national level.
“I think also it is just the beginning of busy schedule which we have planned and as an executive of the west Demerara Association, I would like to caution clubs and prepare them not only a knock tournament of this nature, but also from the youth level we are looking to get started from under 13, what we would call the west Demerara little league. So we are asking clubs if you don’t have under-13 players to start getting them in line it’s because it’s going to promote sportsmanship at an early age and team work.”
He ended by saying that this is a welcoming tournament for the West Demerara and that it is anticipated that it will attract a good crowd.
Sponsors AnsaMcAl under its Stag Brand, Cell phone giant Digicel and Hopkinson Mining all said that they were pleased to be a part of the tournament.
Stag’s Brand Manager, John Maikoo said, “Stag is always happy to participate and team up with football locally. Since this is one part of the brands platform and it is within the DNA of the brand stag.”
According to him, the company only recently completed the senior league which was a success, “Because most of these teams were able to transfer their skills onto the field which will enable them to go on to major tournaments. Stag will always be there to sponsor these tournaments especially teaming up with Slingerz.”
Event and Sponsorship Manager for Digicel, Gavin Hope said while the company is happy to be on board with the tournament, he is more pleased with the players’ involvement in assisting at the school level. This he said will better prepare the schools for the upcoming football championship.
“With their help we will definitely see a higher level of football coming from schools on the West Side. The players he said will take the place of coaches in some schools that are without coaches.”
He said too that getting involved in this tournament was in important step, “We know that football or the residents on the Westside are passionate about football and I have seen that over the years. We have seen the growth of football teams from a school level in our national school competition. We thought it fit because of the growth and passion for football on the Westside that we should be a part of this project.”
Lyndon Boston, representing Hopkinson Mining said the company was happy to be a part of the tournament. According to him, it is the company’s believe that sport brings people together despite their background.
The eight clubs participating in the tournament are: host Slingerz, Eagles, Utivlugt, Beavers, Seawall, Stewartville, Den Amstel and Young Achievers football clubs.
The first two matches will be played on Sunday at the Den Amstel Ground. In the first match Eagles tackles Uitvlugt followed by Slingerzvs Beavers. Kick off time is 18 hours.
The first place team walks away with $500,000, while Second to fourth place will cart off $300, 000, $150,000 and $50,000 respectively.
Please share this to every Guyanese including your house cats.
Apr 19, 2024
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