THE triumphant National U-15 team were yesterday honoured by COURTS Guyana Inc., the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ansa McAl, the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) and Scotiabank, for their outstanding performance at the just concluded SOUALIGA Cup in St Martin.
Guyana finished undefeated, scoring eight goals in the six games played, while being able to keep a clean sheet throughout the ten-team tournament.
The Bryan Joseph-coached side played to a scoreless draw in their matches against Barbados and Guadeloupe, but would beat Martinique 1-0 in their third game, and then crush the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in their quarter-final match.
Guyana clinched their spot in the final with a 1-0 win over Dominica, with Technical Director Ian Greenwood showering the team with praise for their level of play, but stated that the journey has only now began.
Greenwood explained that the tournament in St Martin served as preparation for the CONCACAF U-15 tournament which will be played from August 13-19 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida and based on what he saw from the Junior Jaguars, certainly, they will be top contenders in the USA.
Meanwhile, Scotiabank, who teamed up with the GFF to fund their Academy Training Centres (ATC), were extremely pleased with the team’s results in St Martin, with the Banks Public Relations and Marketing Manager, Jennifer Cipriani, calling it a worthwhile investment.
Cipriani added that as a sponsor, she is overwhelmed to see results coming out of their funding of the ATCs and as such, pledged Scotiabank’s commitment for future partnership at the youth level.
Cipriani also presented prizes to seven goalscorers (Orville Daniels, Ronaldo Rodrigues, Tyrel Khan, Ken Salvador, Omari Glasgow, Troni Semple and Jermaine Garrett).
COURTS Guyana Inc. Marketing Manager Pernell Cummings, said his company is big on youth development in football, and spoke of their continued sponsorship of the COURTS Pee-Wee football tournament.
Cummings said he’s happy that Guyana excelled on the regional stage and wished the team continued success as they head on to the CONCACAF tournament.
COURTS handed out two tablets to team captain Joshua Braithwaite for outstanding leadership, as well as Wayne Da Silva who was adjudged Player-of-the-Tournament.
Sean Abel, Ansa McAl’s non-alcoholic brand manager, pointed out that his executives have continuously demonstrated their unwavering support for football in Guyana through their many sponsorship of the various leagues at the association level and even the country’s National League.
Abel also presented vouchers on behalf of his company to the squad.
Meanwhile, Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, said that Guyana should be proud of the team, as it truly represents the ten administrative regions of Guyana.
Jones noted that Government of Guyana was pleased with the team’s performance and will work closely with the GFF to ensure that the team is properly prepared for the CONCACAF tournament in August.
The Director of Sport also presented the team and staff with the NSC’s Medal of Achievement.