This is the best possible Mayor's Cup final Arthur

This is the best possible Mayor’s Cup final Arthur

Mar 14, 2009 Sports

– Arthur sees improvement in tournament

Lennox Arthur

Organiser of the Mayor’s Cup football tournament, former national player and coach Lennox Arthur, is of the view that tomorrow’s Grand Finale between Alpha and Pele to bring the curtains down on the Mayor’s Cup football tournament, is the best possible final on offer and what the fans wanted.

Speaking to Kaieteur Sport, Arthur stated that from the inception the fans were talking about a Pele/Alpha clash as being the desired and fitting final for the event, which is in honour of Mayor Hamilton Green.
Arthur revealed that this would be a fitting test for Alpha as they seek further glory this month in the CONCACAF Club championship. He said that this match will indicate if Alpha are ready for their impending home and away tie against the Haitian club Tempete.

Quizzed on the level of the tournament, the former player/coach noted that their have been a noticeable improvement in the level of discipline among the players and teams. This year so far, 38 yellow and 9 red cards were shown, way fewer than previous years.
Arthur informed that the teams have been more competitive and training harder, crediting the discipline of the players.

He opined that with increased prize money in football and the opportunity for higher things, players are more motivated and striving for improvement. He cited the recent achievement of Gregory Richardson as an example of the heights players can climb.
Looking at other aspects of the tournament, Arthur said there has been an improvement in the level of sponsorship he has received, but noted that there is still room for improvement in this and other regards.
For future tournaments, Arthur would like to see teams continue to improve and a higher level of soccer displayed, while he would want more sponsors to come on board and in a timely fashion as he would hope for better remuneration for the top performers.

A total 46 goals have been scored to date with Devon Millington heading the list with five. His team, BK Western Tigers is out of the reckoning. He could be caught by several players representing the teams battling in the final and third place playoff, including Travis Grant (4), Dwayne Jacobs, Telson McKinnon, Dwight Peters (3), Marvin Joseph and Elton Brown (2).

The top goalscorer will take home a three piece suite compliments of AH&L Kissoon, while the best goalkeeper gets a food processer courtesy of Keishar’s.
Favourites Alpha and Pele will battle to collect the $500,000 first prize and Keith Niles trophy, while the loser of that contest gets $200,000 and trophy; the third and fourth place teams walk away with $100,000 and $50,000 respectively.