– Former National Club Champion to make return to football

THE highly anticipated return of former National Club champion and winner of the inaugural Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Champions unfolded yesterday at the National Racquet Centre when Slingerz FC officially announced their re-emergence to football in Guyana.

Club president, Javid Ali, said “It feels good to be back in football and it’s a great pleasure to witness the re-introduction of Slingerz FC to football in Guyana. I think together we share this exciting prospect of the continued development of football in Guyana.”

At the time of the club’s untimely departure from competitive football, they were the most talked about and decorated team in Guyana. However, a rift between the club and the GFF which resulted in the national championships taking to the High Court over the expansion of the Elite League, saw them walking away from the sport.

Ali believes the future of football in Guyana requires the GFF and each club to make a maximum contribution and this relaunch is a testimony to his club’s commitment to do their part.

The Slingerz FC president said he sees the “need for competition and the development of Guyana’s National (football) team, as it allows for professional players that are always ready for an international game.”

“Guyana’s football needs to reduce the dependents on the two professional teams, which are the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Police Force (GPF), to ensure that more players receive a monthly income, to dedicate their day-to-day activities to football,” Ali said.

He added that “this will increase the pool of fit and ready players for the National Team, and reduce the risk of an overreliance on international players and part-time players.”

Meanwhile, the founder and president of the club was adamant that “Slingerz FC is not only about football.”

“We’re also about youth development, providing them with opportunities, schooling and we’re in talks with Chase Academy for some of our young players to make sure that they get that quality education, some will have a part-time job, in terms of helping them to start a smart business where necessary,” Ali noted.

Meanwhile, Trevor Williams, president of the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA), where Slingerz will compete, said Slingerz’ return is “a huge step in the development of local football. I like the fact that the word investment is being used at the forum, and that development can’t happen without investment.”

Williams was more upbeat about the investment being made within his Association while praising the businessman for returning to the game.

Former National player, Vurlon Mills, who also once suited up for Slingerz FC, will lead the team in battle as their Head Coach.

He noted that the club’s success in the past was purely on their collective approach to the game through hard work and preparation. This time around, under his tenure at the helm, things will be no different.

Former Den Amstel Head Coach, O’Neil Heywood, will serve as Mills’ assistant, along with his former Golden Jaguars teammate, Dwain Jacobs.

Shawn Adonis, Prince Forde, Kevin Dundas (captain), Quincy Adams, Jerome Harrigon, Shakem Welcome, Simeon Moore, Clive Nobrega, Vincent Childera, Kvist Paul, Ricardo Halley, Dexroy Adams, Matrim Martin, Samuel Garnett, Neron Barrow, Delon Lanferman and Deon Alfred are the players on the squad.

Apart from capturing the first edition of the GFF Elite League, Slingerz FC won the Bank Cup (2013-2014), West Side Mashramani Knockout tournament (2013 & 2014), WDFA League (2013 & 2014), Mayor’s Cup (2015) and the Kashif and Shanghai tournament (2015).