“WE’VE seen the results of it in our international performance as a National team. Guyana have had a total of six international engagements and I think we have been successful at four,” were the words of Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde. Forde was speaking yesterday at the presentation of accolades for the Finale stage of the recently concluded STAG Elite League football tournament.
He continued, “In October, we are going to be coming up against Jamaica and Suriname in round three of the CFU Scotiabank Cup tournament and I think the STAG Elite League has provided the platform for the player development that we have been clamouring for over the past couple years.”
He dished out a heaping serving of praise on the fans who turned out to support the league, saying, “Without the fans we simply do not have the kind of incentive that we think the players need to play and to put their best efforts out on the field. Notwithstanding a few challenges during both phases of the League, I think it was an exceptionally good league.”
Meanwhile, STAG Beer Brand coordinator Linden Henry contended, “We will obviously be sponsoring this league again with no regrets. I’d like to remind the teams that though this a presentation for the close of this round, I don’t want the football arena out there to believe that this is the end of the Elite League. We have the league continuing.”
He, however, urged that more teams should be involved in the 2016/2017 edition of the tournament, calling for ‘new faces’ in the competition and stating that the tournament must become countrywide.
Meanwhile Slingerz FC carted off the lion’s share of the accolades, taking the Most Points for the Finale.
Slingerz’ Trayon Bobb was also named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) while his teammate Julian Wade collected the tournament’s Highest Scorer award (14 goals), Winslow McDowall (Best Goalkeeper) and Best Coach (Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson).
Buxton United were adjudged the Most Disciplined team of the tournament.