Pele FC collects winning accolade at Mayor’s Cup prize giving ceremony

Mar 20, 2009 Sports

By Michael Benjamin

Members of the triumphant Pele pose for a photo with Mayor Hamilton Green (centre with glasses) and organiser Lennox Arthur (right) after the presentation of prizes of the Mayor’s Cup tournament.

“Despite the many challenges, precipitated by the global downturn, the organizers of the just concluded Mayor’s Cup Football tournament have done a commendable job and must be complimented.” So said Mayor Hamilton Green in a short speech when the successful teams collected their prizes at a ceremony held at his City Hall office, yesterday morning.
Mr Green also acknowledged the corporate intervention of Digicel, AH&L Kissoon Ltd and Gafoor and Keith Niles, a former player of Pele, who had donated a beautiful trophy for the first place winners. Green complimented Niles and said that gestures of this nature have been responsible for the footballers continued development. He urged other sponsors to emulate such generosity.
Green said that he is a mite disappointed that the Government did not see the need to contribute to the sustenance of the tournament. “The non-support of the government is very unfortunate,” Green said. “There must be a combined effort of all stakeholders if sports are to move forward,” he continued. Green subsequently voiced optimism that next year’s edition of the Mayor’s Cup would be played in a more economic friendly environment. “It is my hope that the global situation experiences positive changes soon and those changes impact on the level of corporate support,” he said.
He also suggested that the organizers of the tournament seriously consider venturing into the schools as a means of promoting a high level of interest in the sport. “The changing circumstances suggest that organizers move in a different direction and the schools are good starting point. Football would not move to a higher level unless we broaden the net,” Green asserted
The Mayor also noted that Pele had once held the distinction of being the local power team but had lost some of its vigor. He noted that there has been a new resurgence of the team. “Pele seems to be recapturing the spirit of the great footballer it was named after,” he said.
Meanwhile, Pele custodian, Shemroy Arthur, resumed where he had left off in the Kashif and Shanghai tournament and once again captured the Most Valuable Player’s prize. He also pocketed the prize for the most proficient goalie. He received a 3-piece suite, compliments of furniture giants, AH&L Kissoon Ltd plus an additional prize put up by Keishar’s Ltd.
Pele coach Denzil ‘Hunky Brains’ Thompson acknowledged the support rendered by the sponsors. He also acknowledged Alpha’s efforts in the finals saying that they were worthy opponents. He urged football affiliates to work assiduously towards the good of the game. “We must come together so that the game retains its good image,” Thompson concluded.
Pele FC defeated Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United 4-2 on penalty kicks to cart off the $500,000 first prize and add the prestigious Mayor’s Cup Trophy to their cabinet while the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) defeated Sunburst Camptown 2-1 to occupy the third place slot.

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