… Two-year MOU signed for sponsorship

HAVING first hosted the Kool Kidz Grassroots football programme earlier this year, catering only to children in Georgetown’s various communities, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and Guyana Beverages Incorporated yesterday announced that the youth football development initiative will now be rolled out in all affiliated football associations countrywide.

The Guyana Beverages Inc., a subsidiary of SM Jaleel and Company Limited which is based in Trinidad and Tobago, shares a rich history with grassroots football in Guyana through tts various brands.

The company is an almost life-long sponsor and supporter of one of the country’s most popular clubs when it comes churning out talented youths; Fruta Conquerors FC.

“This is commendable, because it gives us an opportunity not only to develop young people, but also, from a marketing perspective, we’re happy for the opportunity for our products to be available in other parts of Guyana,” said Samuel Arjune, Guyana Beverages Commercial Manager, while speaking to reporters at yesterday’s launch, held in the Boardroom of the GFF headquarters.

“If we look across Guyana and the Caribbean, any sports enthusiast will tell you that Guyana is full with talent for sports, but then, we really ask ourselves this question; why are we still behind our counterparts in the Caribbean? The talent is there, no doubt, in almost every aspect of sports,” Arjune stated.

A sport enthusiast himself, Arjune believes that Guyana is oftentimes left behind, “because of inadequate sports facilities and poor institutional support for our young kids. We are happy that the Guyana Beverages Inc., through the Kool Kidz Brand, provides that opportunity to help the Guyana football clubs, Wayne Forde and the GFF mandate in the development of grassroots football throughout Guyana.”

Wayne Forde, president of the GFF, showered Guyana Beverages Inc. with praises, adding that the company would have demonstrated its desire to help – in every regard – sports to grow and develop in Guyana, especially in the sport of football.

Forde pointed out that the GFF is more than pleased to have the company on board, and stressed that the nine regional football associations will see their coaches being trained in an effort to effectively manage the programme in their respective communities.