Fruta EBFA under 13 league launched

Nov 22, 2008 Sports

13 clubs to vie for top spot

Managing Director Guyana Beverage Company Robert Selman (3rd right) handing over the main trophy to EBFA President Wayne Francois in the presence of from right, Vice President Clive Matthews, GBC Customer Representative Shameeza Yadram, Franklin Wilson (GFF V.P in charge of the EBFA) and Treasurer, Noel Harry.

By Michael Benjamin
Following a two year hiatus, and under a newly elected executive committee, football returns to the East Bank Demerara after the timely corporate intervention of Managing Director of the Guyana Beverage Company, Robert Selman and the strenuous efforts of football enthusiasts in that area.

At a press conference held at the Guyana Beverage Company’s Diamond headquarters, Selman revealed that his company will plough approximately $300.000 in cash and kind towards the successful staging of the Fruta / East Bank Football Association (EBFA) U13 league.

The Beverage Company boss also promised to invest a larger sum into next year’s tournament but warned that the realization of this promise hinges on the successful staging of the current tournament.

Over 13 teams from the East Bank communities and the Linden Soesdyke Highway will compete for championship honours starting from November 29.

The organisers have revealed that the tournament will continue after school recesses for the Christmas holidays with four matches daily.

Touching on other issues Selman reminded media operatives that his Company has been in the forefront in offering corporate assistance to sports associations and clubs right across Guyana. He mentioned the Tucville Ground that houses the Fruta Conquerors football club.

“That ground was nothing but a cow dam before our intervention,” he disclosed. “If you take a look at it now you will be surprised at the strides that have been made towards the development of the ground,” he boasted.

Indeed the ground is a far cry from its initial shabby state and now has two small stands and several rows of floodlights. It also sports a sturdy concrete fence complete with steel gates.

The executive of the Fruta Conquerors Football Club are presently engaged in the construction of their clubhouse.

Selman also boasted of the assistance offered to other sports disciplines and Associations. “The Guyana Beverage Company has been a key sponsor of many tournaments among them the Fruta skills tournament in Linden as well as cricket matches. “We are now in Berbice where we are involved in cricket sponsorship,” he reiterated.

In keeping with its corporate mandate the Guyana Beverage Company would be initiating another community oriented project in Diamond where the Company owns some 20 acres of land.

He said that plans are in train to develop three acres of this land into a playing field where East Bank residents can spend their leisure time engaged in wholesome sports activities.

However, he remained adamant that he could not do the job all alone. “I am prepared to do what is necessary towards the development of football and young people but the input of the entire community is vitally necessary,” Selman reiterated.

The Beverage Company executive also urged the decision makers of the EBFA to prepare viable plans whenever they approach him for corporate assistance.

“I must not come to you! You should approach me with solid proposals in order to entice affirmative action,” he advised the executives.

The Guyana Beverage Company has recently commenced operations in the Diamond EBD community and Selman intimated that he wanted to integrate into the community in a meaningful way.

Selman also bemoaned the absence of professional league football in Guyana. He opined that with solid corporate input, the dream could become a reality. “I am hoping that Guyanese footballers remain in Guyana and compete instead of traveling to Trinidad and other countries and strengthening those teams.

Meanwhile, President of the EBFA, Wayne Francois thanked Selman for the corporate intervention rendered by his company. “This competition will accelerate the development of football on the East Bank,” he assured Selman.

The press conference was also graced by the presence of Customer Representative of the Guyana Beverage Company, Ms Shameeza Yadram and Franklin Wilson, in the capacity of Guyana Football Federation Vice President with responsibility for the EBFA.

Wilson was instrumental in securing the sponsorship and has promised to work closely with the Executive to ensure that all age group competitions as well as senior and female competitions are contested.

Trophies are at stake for the first to fourth placed teams as well as the player to score the most goals, MVP and best goal keeper. Members of the winning team will each receive one chubby book bag with exercise books.

The EBFA is also expressing thanks to the IMC of the Eccles Ramsburg NDC for making the Providence ground available for the tournament which gets underway on November 29 with two Group A and two Group B matches.

In Group A, Grove will take on Timerhi while Kuru Kuru and Meadow Bank battle each other. And in Group B, Yarrowkabra and Agricola match skills while Kuru Kururu opposes Soesdyke. Kick off time is 09:00hrs.