President Wainwright Bethune

PRESIDENT of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), Wainwright Bethune, has called for inclusiveness as the association continues to push for the promotion of the sport, despite the many challenges it faces due to a lack of football grounds in Linden.

Speaking at the recent presentation of the monetary awards for the year-end futsal tournament held at the Watooka Club, Bethune said “I hope that this year we will see a lot more progress and production in the UDFA that we can play football at all levels.”

The occasion was also used to give recognition to the association’s Under 17 team which won the national tournament.

Milerock received its $1M prize while Capital FC collected $500,000 for placing second and Haynes and Lewis Winners Connection got $200,000 for placing third and Botafago collected $100,000 for getting fourth.

Bethune recalled: “We all know the issues that we have in the UDFA. We are faced with many challenges; nevertheless we were able to pull off a successful year-end tournament. As you know, at the end of 2022, we could not have finished the League. In the entire 2023 we faced so many challenges that we could not have played regular football,” he added.

“I would also like to commend the UDFA Executive, namely Sean Adams, Olston Thorman, Patrick Dey, James Trotman and Kellon Josiah, because these guys sat less than a month ago and put this tournament together and we were able to get sponsorship. Thanks to Banks DIH for coming on board, Jai Signs, Jermain and Son, Triple L Bakery, Bernard’s Variety Store, Bolo’s Variety Store. [We were able to] put this tournament together and it was a huge success.”

The lead UDFA football official said: “We did not want to just hand you the money at the end of the final but, more-so, to incorporate the winning UDFA Under 17 team, which, regardless of the circumstances, because of lack of playing facilities, had a very good showing and came out victorious in the recently concluded NAMILCO National Under 17 championship.”

In the presence of those gathered, Bethune offered: “Amidst those challenges too, we put our heads together and we reached out to sponsors and they responded in kind, and we were able to pull this tournament together in just three weeks’ time, if we date it back from today.  As we look forward in 2024, I look forward to your support. This game needs inclusiveness.”

Irrespective of what is happening, I want us to take some time and sit and reason and understand each other, because while we might hear so many things outside happening in the football arena, we need to sit and be part of the solution. Far too often we sit and talk about the problems and we criticise, but if we come and have the solution-oriented discussions, I think we can go a far way.”

He added that the UDFA is aiming to work with their executives and the teams, as well as the young players, to hone the talent of the mining town.

The UDFA boss also noted that the team’s spot in the National setup has been falling away and urged the U17 players to continue working hard.

Let us keep Linden football together. We have many challenges, and we need your support,” he ended by saying.