Alpha United prize giving ceremony

Oct 11, 2008 Sports

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Footballers urged to be good AIDS/Obesity

advocates

By Michael Benjamin
Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Dr Frank Anthony urged footballers to adapt healthy lifestyles and sound moral practices to contain the rising obesity problems and the dreaded AIDS virus.

Dr Anthony made these remarks at the Water Chris Hotel and Bar, Waterloo Street, when the Alpha United Football Club held the presentation of awards ceremony for the recently concluded Alpha United Football Festival, Thursday last.

Alpha United players led by Most Valuable Player, Leon Grumble, carted off the lions share of the prestigious awards at stake including; Best Goalkeeper, Ronson Williams, Best Defensive Player – Kelvin Smith, and Best Offensive – Player Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams.

Alpha United also won the one million dollars first prize put up by several corporate entities including Digicel and Polar Ice among others.

The second place went to Camptown, while Santos occupied the third place slot. Pele Football Club came in fourth.

The tournament coincided with the just concluded Carifesta celebrations and Minister Anthony noted that such an occurrence was a first for the event.

He pointed out that his Ministry had decided to place greater emphasis on football as part of its aim of concentrating on community-oriented activities. He said that football had the ability of uniting communities even as it provides clean entertainment.

The Minister further disclosed that his Ministry will soon collaborate with their Brazilian counterparts to initiate a vibrant coaching programme for footballers. Also on the cards is the installation of a resource centre to store data relevant to football.

Anthony said that this project should get underway by the end of the year. “Development of sports is a total, all inclusive effort and we have to work as a team to attain this goal,” the Minister emphasized.

The Minister of Sports lauded the work of the National Aids Programme Secretariat highlighting the nexus between the work of this entity and sports.

He said that young people’s involvement in sports keeps them occupied in wholesome activities to the extent that they adopt healthy living practices.

As such, he intends to initiate collaborative efforts with the AIDS Secretariat to contain the high incidences of AIDS.

Subsequently, the Minister announced that a one-week activity will get underway starting on November 25 that focuses on free testing for the dreaded virus, HIV.

He urged the footballers to demonstrate the type of leadership to influence their supporters as well as other individuals, to get tested and further, inculcate healthy social practices to minimize the spread of the disease.

“It is indeed shocking that 1.5 of the Guyanese population is HIV positive. All of us must work together to control this,” the Minister exhorted. He also urged the footballers to be strong advocates at the club level to implement the necessary changes.

Dr Anthony next took a swipe at high incidence of obesity, which he described as chronic in the Guyanese society.

“The problem of obesity is creeping up on us and has highlighted a necessity to practice good eating habits and a daily exercise programme as a counteracting element,” Anthony implored.” In the end, not only football, but the nation as a whole will benefit,” he concluded.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds echoed the Sport Minister’s sentiments noting that participation in sports is a good thing. He also said that he hoped that soccer was an integral part of the school programme.

President of Alpha United, Odinga Lumumba was vociferous in praise of the corporate entities that responded to his call for support.

These included Digicel, Polar Ice, an entity that donated half a million dollars without hesitation, and Courtney Benn Contracting Services Ltd, among others.

Lumumba also heaped praise on President Bharrat Jagdeo for his unstinted support to football. “When football needed an injection it was President Jagdeo who rose to the challenge and poured millions into the sport,” he said.

He also pointed out that to date football has been the only discipline to fill the stadium to capacity. Dr Balwant Singh was also singled out for the corporate assistant rendered.

Lumumba disclosed that the doctor had pledged free medical care for footballers who may have sustained injuries during the tournament.

Meanwhile, Alpha United coach, Wayne Dover feels that the just concluded tournament has provided the type of activity needed for the footballers’ development.

He said that the one million dollars first prize can be the catalyst for an improved level of football since the players will feel that they are being adequately rewarded and aspire for greater accomplishments.

During the 6 weeks tournament, Alpha had registered wins over Mocha (1-nil), Rosignol United (7-1), Santos (3-1) and Camptown (2-nil).

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