By Ras Wadada

THE inaugural NAMILCO-sponsored Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) nationwide U-17 football tournament will continue this weekend with matches in the various zones across the country.
While several member associations of the GFF are yet to kick off their respective leg of the tournament others are in full swing.According to reliable sources, the Bartica, Rupununi, Essequibo and Upper-Demerara Associations are yet to get started. In the case of the UDFA, that organisation just completed its U-17 League and plans to start the NAMILCO tournament soon.
In the Ancient County, the Berbice FA zone will continue today and tomorrow with all ten registered teams down to play. In an invited comment secretary of the BFA, Joseph Simon, stated the persistent rains are of concern to the BFA, hence there are some minor changes to the schedule for tomorrow (Sunday).
The game between Monedderlust FC and Corriverton Links will now be played at the Esplanade Ground or Burnham Park, depending on the weather, beginning at 14:00hrs and will be followed by NA United against Lichfield Nuggets. The other game set for tomorrow will feature Rosignol United as they host Hopetown United at 14:00hrs.
Today’s match-ups will be played at the Canje ground where Cougars FC confront the home side Canefield Diamond Strikers at 16:00hrs and at Mahaicony, the Thunder Hawks will host Paradise Invaders at 14:00hrs. Last week’s winners in the opening games were Corriverton Links, NA United and Paradise Invaders who won over Mahaicony 2-0, Lichfield Nuggets 8-0 and Canefield Diamond Strikers 4-1 respectively.
In the City, matches will continue at the Tucville ground where all 8 contesting teams will be in action again on match day two. In the opening game set for 09:30hrs Eastville FC will be looking to go 2-0 when they meet Pele FC who lost their opener 0-2 against Alpha United. The Alpha boys will also fancy their chances of going 2-0 when they meet Discipline and Order, who went under 0-2 to Eastville, at 11:00hrs.
The much-anticipated clash set for 12:30hrs will bring together the other two big winners on the opening day. The Lloyd Smith-coached Santos unit will engage the home team Conquerors, who disposed of GFC 3-1, while Santos breezed past Camptown 5-0. The day’s final encounter will be Camptown versus GFC at 14:00hrs.

Across the Demerara River in the West Demerara FA’s leg, two games are carded for the weekend at the Den Amstel ground. Today at noon, Eagles FC tackle Wales FC and tomorrow at the same time, Beavers FC take on the home side Den Amstel FC.
In the East Demerara FA’s zone,two double headers are slated for the Beterverwagting ground. Today’s games will feature, Paradise FC against Golden Stars at 13:00 hrs and at 15:00 hrs, Plaisance FC do battle with Mahaica FC. Tomorrow Buxton Stars take on Victoria Kings in the first match at 13:00 hours, followed by home team BV United versus Anns Grove