FOR the past 10 years, the Guyana Beverages Company (GBC) has been sponsoring the Fruta Conquerors Football Club (FCFC) and this year is no different as the company pumped over G$1M into the Tucville-based club.
At a simple ceremony held in the boardroom of GBC’s Diamond, East Bank Demerara office , managing director Robert Selman said he was pleased to be associated with the club, before handing over a quantity of gear to senior player Neville Stanton.  
Among the list of items the club received yesterday were 40 pairs of boots, 40 pairs of uniforms for the junior and senior teams, 10 balls, socks and two pairs of custodial uniforms, including gloves.
“Because of Fruta Conquerors, we are the number one juice in the country and I must say thanks to them, as our Fruta brand of products and anything under that brand have been a hit on the markets here in Guyana.
“Even though we are number one, it is still appalling to note that they are not the number one club in the country. Nevertheless, I hope that with this renewed sponsorship, they will be able to climb back into the top bracket of local football and we will continue to be with them, with a bigger and better sponsorship next year,” Selman stated.
President of FCFC and former national hockey player Ivor Thompson was high in praise for GBC, stating that his club which was formed on February 14, 1982 with 20 players competing from Under-11 to second division in Georgetown football, now has over 100 registered players from Under-11 to the Premier League.
“Eighteen years ago, we formed Fruta Conquerors focusing on youths in the community and today, we have 40 players registered in the Premier League, 30 competing in Under-17 to 19 competitions and another 40 in Under-11 to 15 tournaments.
“We make it our duty to keep the togetherness that speaks out in the team’s motto and even though we are not rated as the number one team in the country, in my opinion, we are the number one team even though the result does not indicate such.”
He continued, “This input by the Guyana Beverages Company speaks volumes with regards to their commitment with us and hopefully, we can turn things around in the not-too-distant future, starting with the present ongoing Mayor’s Cup football tournament.”