DISTRIBUTING giant Ansa McAl yesterday partnered with the East Coast Football Association (ECFA) to launch the Stag Beer Division One League at its Beterverwagting head office. 

Buxton United, Mahaica Determinators, Victoria Kings, Haslington, Golden Grove, Buxton Stars, Ann’s Grove and BV/Triumph United are the teams vying for the league’s $200 000 first prize, beginning on Sunday May 25, following its opening ceremony on Sunday, May 18, at the Buxton Community Centre ground.
“Sponsorships of Leagues are neglected by most companies and this is where the real development of any sport starts. This is Ansa McAl’s real focus and to help in the development of the game in the communities across Guyana,” said Stag Brand Manager John Maikoo.
“People might say the prize money is small, but they are a host of other things we are undertaking,” Maikoo further added. “We will be dealing with the marketing, advertising and a couple of other things. The thing is, what we like was the ECFA approach to this. They said to us, the idea is not about putting up big prize money, but building a product and to get the people on the East Coast back behind the sport and Ansa McAl endorsed that position.”
Organising Secretary Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson pointed out that in the past most the tournaments would normally be sponsored by Ansa McAl but a shift of administration of the sport on the East Coast saw the company being put on the back bench as of 2011.
“Things have changed now. We have a new executive body now headed by Mr Aubrey Hudson and we intend to take this sport in the right direction and we’re happy that Ansa McAl is willing to partner with us in making a few things happen and this league is just the start,” Wilson said.
On Sunday, according to Wilson, the League will have a gala opening ceremony which will be followed by the semi-finals of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Under-17 Inter-Association championship between East Coast and Upper Demerara.
The highlight of the evening will be a clash between West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) champions Slingerz FC and an East Coast Under-23 side.
Buxton Community Centre, Victoria and Beterverwagting Community Centre are the venues which will be used throughout the tournament, as Wilson explained, “most of the double-headers will be played at the Victoria ground because it has lights but matches will be played every Saturday and Sunday until July 13.”
$150 000 is the second-place prize, third-place $100 000 and fourth $75 000.