By Calvin Chapman
THE inter-association Tiger Rentals Under-13 Development football league concluded yesterday at the National Training CentRE (NTC), Providence, where East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) thumped East Berbice 6-1 to emerge champions of this inaugural and significant competition that kicked off last December.

The diminutive but skillful Isiah Williams was on fire for the champions, netting four times in the rout while Shakeil Callendar and Mark Glasgow both beat the keeper once. Rayon Captain netted the consolation goal for East Berbice.

East Coast and Georgetown entered the final matchday tied on points with East Coast boasting a much superior goal difference but Vurlon Mills’ Georgetown side that needed to win, didn’t do themselves any favours during their 3-1 loss to Devnon Winter’s East Bank side.

Jason Williams, Michael Correia and Nyul George all netted once for East Bank while Enzo Matte scored the consolation for Georgetown that eventually finished in second place.

Head coach of East Coast, Anthony Benfield, posited during the presentation that he was “extremely proud” of his team and the coaching staff. “We believed that we could’ve won and we put in the hard work that is needed and we are grateful to have triumphed in this important tournament, which not only helps develop the youths but the coaches’ capacity.”

Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Bryan Joseph, expressed during the simple but significant presentation ceremony, his heartfelt thanks to everyone that helped made the tournament a success, especially the sponsors, Tiger Rentals Guyana, that invested over $10m. He made special mention of the referees, players, parents, coaches and coaching mentor, Sampson Gilbert.

Joseph further revealed the exciting news that there will be a three-day festival next week beginning on the 14th. The festival will feature the top teams of the inter-association playing alongside Regions 1, 2 & 9 in a group round-robin format to determine the Tiger Rentals under-13 football initiative National champions.