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Guyana Beverage Inc. takes Fruta Skills Football to Ancient County
$500,000 invested, competition to be played under lights
By Franklin Wilson
Guyana Beverage Inc. (GBI) and the Berbice Football Association (BFA) have teams up to bring the Fruta Skills football competition to the Ancient County set to kick off on November 15 at the Rosignol Community ground.
Managing Director of GBI Robert Selman at the official launch of the competition which took place at the company’s headquarters Great Diamond, East Bank Demerara, said it’s the first time such a tournament would be contested in Berbice and he is more than happy his company is a pioneer yet gain.
Selman noted that this style of competition was played in the Bauxite Mining town of Linden for two to three years but because of ground problems they had to discontinue it.
“And when approached by the Berbice Football Association although it was a last minute effort because it wasn’t in our budget for this year, we took the opportunity to something for football in Berbice.”
GBI has pumped $500,000 into the competition which would involve between ten and sixteen teams from across Berbice.
Selman reminded that his company does a lot for sports and its development since it’s a serious responsibility of his company to the Guyanese population. He challenged the executive of the BFA to ensure that the tournament is run at a high level of discipline and in good spirits since they would be monitoring what goes on with a view to sponsoring it again next year and even taking it to a higher level.
BFA President Keith O’Jeer thanked GBI for the confidence they have shown in his organisation and the sport pointing out that this is a unique opportunity to further develop the skills of the teams. “Its quite pleasing to see a company like Guyana Beverage taking the time and effort needed not only to sponsor a tournament like this but to actually come full force into it to help develop the game financially.”
O’Jeer also noted that the standard of the game has been on the up in the Ancient County in the last two years and to have a tournament of this nature at this time can only add to what has already begun to happen.
The competition will be contested using the knock-out format and apart fro the team prizes, the best goalkeeper, most valuable player and the highest goal scorer will all be rewarded. All games will be contested at the Rosignol Community Centre ground under lights with the aim of increasing the support base for the sport.
Selman made a call for other companies to take the challenge of giving back to the development of sports in Guyana.
“By sponsoring this competition, this one way we at Guyana Beverage give back to the people of Guyana in the field of sports so we can keep the youths off the streets, so we can keep the youths off of drugs. Idle hands touch idle things and idle things get you into trouble.
“We are very proud to be associated with the football of Berbice and well work alongside the BFA to give them what advice they need to ensure that this competition is successful.”
Customer Service Representative of GBI Shameeza Yadram hands over the main trophy to BFA President Keith O’Jeer. Others in photo from right are, GBI Berbice Area Manager Eion Smithet, Managing Director Robert Selman, BFA Secretary Joseph Simon and Vice President Hemchand Karamchand
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