THE Guyana Beverages Company (GBC) Inc. who has been sponsoring the Conquerors football club, through their Fruta Juice brand, has renewed their partnership, as the club received $1.5 million in cash and kind yesterday in the company’s boardroom.
The partnership which has been in effect for over a decade began with just a simple yet significant donation and has evolved significantly into one of the most fruitful moves since the club excelled by winning every football tournament they competed in throughout the years.
This sponsorship consists of $500 000 for the coach’s stipend and one million dollars in gear, which includes footballs, shoes, team uniforms and training equipment.
Chief Executive Office of GBC Robert Selman recalled when they were first approached by the club: “Ten years ago when Conquerors approached us we started with two footballs. At that time they were barely known in Guyana and then we decided to fully sponsor the club and have made a tremendous effort to make our brand be accepted throughout Guyana.”
“At one time we were the number one team in Guyana, winning every competition and it was a booster to people of Guyana and people of Trinidad and Tobago where our base is located,” Selman stated.
He added: “We are proud of the good things they have done as the Fruta Conquerors; they kept their club high at a standard and our brand the number one brand, otherwise they wouldn’t have been sponsored for ten years.”
Selman thanked the club for the effort they have put behind the brand to make it the number one selling juice in Guyana and the effort put forth to develop the club entirely.
President of the FC club, Marlan Cole, said that they are happy to be associated with GBC and stated that he knows the company can enjoy their successes, their perseverance to become the best and the way they represent the number one juice.
According to Cole, the club has made positive advances as they strive to not only develop the club and players but contribute to the sport by hosting tournaments to keep footballers active. Conquerors have hosted annual tournaments such as the NAMILCO Football Festival, Milo U-23 Competition and Chubby Under-13 Competition.
At present the club is seeking further improvement of the ground’s lighting, the other part of the field that will be used by junior players and also the Conquerors’ club house.
The club is also giving back to the community as they prepare to run off their Reading Remedial Class for supporters and
players in the Tucville area.