– pledges support towards development of game in area
IN observance of Amerindian Heritage Month 2020, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) president Wayne Forde, last Sunday paid a historic visit to the village of Coomacka, some 15 miles from Linden, and presented football equipment including footballs, boots, bibs and cones to the Coomacka United Football Club.
Welcoming the president and team, which included president of Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Terrence Mitchell, former National coach Jimmy McLean, former Golden Jaguars’ Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams, current Assistant Senior National coach Charles ‘Lily’ Pollard and GFF Youth Development Officer and former national player, Bryan ‘Joe Boy’ Joseph, was president of Coomacka United Football Club (CUFC), Renison ‘Suki’ Rawlins.
During the visit, Forde commended the club for their spirited performances on the field of play and their strong showing in tournaments organised by the UDFA. The president and executive committee were also lauded for the outstanding job they have been doing in advancing the fortunes of the club as well as being able to mobilise great fan support for the team.
In thanking the club and community for their warm welcome, Forde underscored the role of GFF, telling the gathering that his federation’s “core purpose is to serve football and to serve the stakeholders of football. We’re here to listen and to see the opportunity where we can intervene and improve things. To improve a situation from where it might be to where it can be”.
Forde, reminiscing on the semi-finals of the last UDFA year-end tournament, said he had witnessed one of the most electrifying atmospheres he would have experienced in recent years.
“The excitement and the involvement of the community into the game was a very memorable experience and I was immediately moved by it and I started to make some enquiries as to what is responsible for this club, which seems to be in a bit of a community bubble but yet to keep coming out and competing as well as they did against some of the more established clubs in Linden,” the GFF president said.
The passionate Forde stated that the donated equipment would serve to further enhance and develop the game in the community whilst seeking to bring new players on board by motivating them to play.
UDFA president Mitchell, in stating how proud he is of the CUFC and their exploits to date said he was very privileged to be visiting the community. He noted that the club registered with UDFA just over two years ago even though they were around longer.
After a quiet start to competitive play under the umbrella of the UDFA, CUFA team have been coming on strong, qualifying for the last two finals of tournaments held including the Mash Cup 2020.
“Linden started to see a new talented team in the form of Coomacka United Football Club; we saw young men with speed and fans very animated and vocal. So Coomacka made that impact into football in a short space of time and what we saw – we see a long future of football in the area,” Mitchell said.
UDFA president also commended the Coomacka fans for their support of the team, noting that the CUFC has a dynamic support cast.
Meanwhile, Rawlins in his remarks thanked the GFF for showing great interest in the club even at this time noting that the club have been putting in a lot of work to reach where they are at present.
“Our club is doing good. so far, and we will try our best with the inputs into our club, so that we can climb higher and reach the number one spot in Linden. That’s what we are aiming for,” Rawlins noted.
Following the presentation of equipment, stakeholders engaged President Forde in a brief question and answer segment where they posed questions that were answered about further plans for their development.
Treasurer of CUFC, Stacey-Ann Williams delivered the vote of thanks, pledging that the Club will work closely with UDFA and GFF to realise the dreams of the youths in the community.
