… Ten teams to vie for supremacy; U-13 starts in a week
COMPETITIVE football action on the East Bank of Demerara is set to kick off this weekend when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)-sponsored Under-16 League gets under way at the Grove Playfield. Ten clubs will be vying for supremacy while the players will also be competing to make the association team for the upcoming GFF Inter-Association competition, which will serve as the first level of trials for the National Under-17 team that will compete in the Caribbean Football Union Under-17 World Cup qualifying tournament set for this year.
President (ag) of the GFF, Franklin Wilson, in handing over the trophies to East Bank Football Association (EBFA) president Wayne Francois for both the Under-16 and U-13 tournaments, said he was elated that East Bank will get the game going in that area.
Wilson noted that it is the Federation’s policy to support youth football from the pee-wee stage to U-20s in all the associations and was challenging the other associations to take up the federation’s offer at every level.
“The youth of this nation is vital to our overall development and the continued development of the sport. We at the GFF are very serious about investing and building a firm foundation and I am encouraging all our affiliates to ensure they organise junior tournaments which the governing body is committed to support.”
Francois expressed thanks to the GFF on behalf of the EBFA with a promise that they will be much more competitive at every level from this year.
“As an association we have recognised that we have to place much more emphasis on youth development and we are very grateful that the GFF will be supporting not only our association but all the others.”
The EBFA, he said, would not only be running off tournaments sponsored by the GFF but will be pursuing other entities to partner with them to ensure that East Bank football is well developed with the aim of giving their players the best possible opportunities to make national teams at every level.
Wilson informed that the West Demerara Football Association completed its Under-16 tournament, sponsored by the GFF, a few weeks ago which was won by Uitvlugt over Den Amstel in an exciting duel at the Den Amstel ground.
The Berbice Football Association (BFA) ran off a one-day U-16 tournament that the GFF also sponsored. Six teams participated.
Five games will be on tomorrow to set the Under-16 train in motion with play getting under way at 10:00hrs.
Kuru Kuru Lions will hope to roar against Agricola Red Triangle, followed by a clash between Kuru Kururu Warriors and Mocha Champs. Next up will be Timehri Panthers who will throw down the gauntlet to Diamond FC.
The main supporting game features Soesdyke Falcons against Grove Hi Tec with the main event bringing together Providence and Friendship FC.
Francois stated that the Under-13 tournament will start in a week’s time, and  fixtures will be released shortly. He is encouraging clubs to get their players ready for the start of the Under-13 league. For players to be eligible to play in the Under-16 tourney they must be born on or after January 1, 1996.
Games will be played for 70 minutes with 35-minute segments. Trophies will be presented to the top four teams.