THE 2019 East Bank Football Association (EBFA) Senior League, sponsored by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) kicked off yesterday afternoon at the GFF National Training Centre, following a colourful march past of teams, witnessed by Director of Sport, Christopher Jones, GFF president Wayne Forde and EBFA president Franklin Wilson among others.

The lone match saw Grove Hi Tech defeat a determined Kuru Kururu Warriors 6-3, to set the tone for what is anticipated to be an exciting league contested by 11 clubs.
Taking part in the march past were the two above-named clubs, Herstelling Raiders, Diamond United, Friendship All Stars, Timehri Panthers, Samatta Point/Kaneville and Agricola Red Triangle.

The referees in charge of matches were also part of the march past. The best-dressed team selected by Forde and Jones were Timehri Panthers and they were rewarded with a trophy.
Wilson, in brief welcoming remarks, expressed gratitude to president Forde and GFF for fulfilling his commitment to sponsor the senior league. Wilson urged the players to be at their best and be disciplined on and off the field of play.

He said multiple tournaments will be played this season. The KFC U-20 knock-out is underway, the senior league has just started and the NAMILCO Flour Power U-17 will kick off immediately following the conclusion of the U-20 later this month.

Jones, in his remarks, congratulated the EBFA and GFF for the work they have been collectively engaged in towards the development of youths along the East Bank and Soesdyke/Linden Highway corridor.

He told the players that they should consider it a privilege to be playing on the first artificial turf in Guyana and should feel proud that it is located at Providence on the East Bank of Demerara.

“I want to commend president Wayne Forde and the GFF for making this possible. We would continue to lend support in whatever way we can for the development of football; but of course for you the player, there is an old saying: ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’.

“The fact that the GFF would have invested millions of dollars for a facility such as this, provides that opportunity for you to play on an international turf; so what is expected of you is that we see the same discipline that Mr Wilson was referring to. We see talent coming out from these matches and we get the best out of each and every one of you.”
President Forde, in feature remarks, stated that it was a moment of personal pride for him and his executive to witness what was unfolding before his eyes.

“It was captured best when Mr Jones stated that to whom much is given, much is expected. The turf that we are on is the outcome of tremendous efforts throughout the body of football. From the global body FIFA, to the confederation body CONCACAF and to your own local body, GFF.

“They are members of this fraternity that would have been instrumental in our being here today and we acknowledge them in every aspect for the use and benefits that we have derived from this venue.”

Forde commended the work of EBFA president and his team. He said that the faces he has been seeing at every football event in the association have been consistent – a clear mark of commitment.

He challenged the players to be the best, first and foremost, and the best possible human being.

“A lot of very important life lessons are taught in this game of football. We learn to share, we learn to respect; we learn to be our brother’s keepers. We learn to lose; we learn to win. We have good days, bad days. These lessons must not be squandered. They will help to mould you overtime.”

He also stated that persons coming into the game are prepared for the challenges of life and leave as much stronger individuals than when they entered the game.

“So the support that the federation is bringing to the East Bank is the support that we bring to all of our nine regional members associations. All associations will receive funding for the running-off of their senior league because we have really seen a decline in senior league football at the association level. So we have taken the responsibility to provide the funding/support to allow this to take place. I am happy as always, that the East Bank is taking a first step in this.

“I want to use this platform and the opportunity to encourage the other associations who are yet to submit their budgets and their plans for their senior league to do that very quickly.”

Forde also informed that the GFF would be announcing at its Congress on May 25 next, plans for what will be the biggest tournament in the nation’s history, the Federation Cup. It will commemorate Guyana’s 117th anniversary as an organised body – the oldest in the world. This would be an annual Cup.

Senior league must be played before association is eligible to participate in the federation cup.

Darren McPherson led Grove to victory with a double (17, 37) with one apiece from Jonathan Bailey (19), Delroy Dodson (25), Nicholai Matthews (43) and Marvin Squires in the 46th minute.

Kuru Kururu Warriors got their goals through Christopher Alleyne who netted an own goal in the 22nd minute with Joseph and Kevon Walker finding the back of the net in the 87th and 91st minutes.