AFTER a long absence, competitive football returns to the West Demerara with the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) Trophy Stall Under-17 League which commences tomorrow at the Den Amstel Community Centre Ground, WCD.
A total of seven teams will vie for top honours in the tournament, which has been made possible through the efforts of the GFF president (ag) Franklin Wilson, who approached owner of the Trophy Stall Ramesh Sunich to sponsor the tournament.
Sunich did not hesitate to come on board for the tourney, whose co-ordinator Adrian Giddings will be assisted by Pinky Green.
Action will get under way tomorrow from 13:00hrs with a double-header Stewartville meet Young Achievers in the curtain-raiser and home team Den Amstel match skills with arch rivals Uitvlugt in the feature game.
Two more matches will be played on Sunday at the same venue. Seawall FC, based at Pouderoyen, will come up against Wales FC while Den Amstel will be in action again as they take on Young Achievers.
The other team in the competition is Eagles FC which is based at Stewartville.
At a simple presentation ceremony held yesterday at the Trophy Stall Bourda Market, Sunich said that he was very elated to be associated with the development of the game on the West Demerara.
“When my very good friend Mr Wilson approached me to sponsor this competition I had no hesitation in taking up an opportunity that will help to mould the future in a positive way for our youths. I have been following the sport and know that no football has been played there for sometime so I am happy that they will be playing again.”
“West Demerara has produced some very good players and I would like this tournament to be the catalyst for producing players who will come through to represent Guyana at the junior and highest levels. I am also promising that this will be an annual tournament.”
In extending gratitude to Sunich, Wilson stated that the youngest player on the Golden Jaguars senior team, Treyon Bobb, hails from Uitvlugt on the West Coast of Demerara. Bobb has emulated his older brother Orvalle, who has had a distinguished career as a defensive player for Guyana.
Wilson, a past secretary and president of the WDFA also said that it was time and that the players have been waiting a long time for this and there should be no stopping now with regard to multiple tournaments being organised at all the levels.
“Many persons have been approaching me ever since the GT&T FastBall tournament was played at Den Amstel to assist with the return of the game competitively there and I’m happy to make such a contribution.
“I urge all the clubs to ensure that they support this tournament and to ensure that the players are disciplined and play fair. This is the start and I can promise the WDFA that more tournaments will be played but the officials and other stake-holders have their roles to play also to ensure that we do not have such a lapse in terms of no football being played, anymore.”
Wilson thanked Sunich for his commitment to ensure that the tournament is played on an annual basis.
The team emerging with the most points at the conclusion of the League will take home the beautiful championship trophy and 20 gold medals.
Second-placers will attract a trophy and 20 silver medals while the third-placed team will be rewarded with a trophy and 20 bronze medals.
Other prizes will go to the Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goalkeeper and Best Coach. Kick-off time tomorrow is 13:00hrs.