Latest update February 4th, 2025 9:06 AM
Historic female football team unveiled
Face French Guiana this
afternoon @ GDF ground
By Franklin Wilson
The first ever Inter Guiana Games (IGG) female football team was unveiled yesterday at the National Gymnasium by the Honorable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony.
The historic moment was also shared by Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Chairman of the National Sports Commission Conrad Plummer along wit the Technical Staff of the team and players.
Members of the Suriname contingent pose for Kaieteur Sport. (Franklin Wilson Photo)
Kumar informed the gathering that this initiative was pushed by Dr. Anthony and he was happy that he could have worked to make it reality and he is confident the team will do well against Suriname and French Guiana.
Dr. Anthony hailed the project as significant not from a football stand point but the participation of more females in sport. “I think by being part of this team you’ll be able to influence other young women in schools to do better.”
All the players on the team are currently attending schools in Berbice, Vrymen’s Erven, Berbice High, Tutorial Academy, Berbice Educational Institute and New Amsterdam Multilateral.
The historic IGG female football team pose with Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (3rd left) and Chairman of the NSC Conrad Plummer (2nd right). Captain Tiffany Sancho is to Dr. Anthony
The young lasses were encouraged by the Minister to aim high since the sky is the limit for them in this sport. “You can go on to play in the region and the world. We have such a person in Dianne Ferreira James she’s a referee but not only a local referee who officiated at the women’s World Cup in China so we have living examples of people from Guyana from very humble backgrounds that were able to raise to world prominence.”
Dr. Anthony noted that there is no reason why the current team cannot attain the heights of reaching the top. “I am confident that once you put your best foot forward, once you are able to do the right things and once you maintain discipline and the right attitude you will be able to get there.”
The process he reminded will be long but patience and commitment are necessary ingredients to succeed. Sports he said was not just about being physical, going out there and just pushing your weight around, “It is both a physical and mental game and people who are able to combine these two elements would be able to do better than others.”
He encouraged the technical staff headed by Coach Neil Humphrey to be at their best during the tournament, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents.
“So we expect noting but the best from you, we expect you to be winners. Do the best you can for us and at the end of the games you will have even more glowing tributes and congratulations coming your way but remember you must work hard.”
Chairman of the NSC Conrad Plummer encouraged the players to aim to be the best they can be. “You are there to make a mark for others to follow, how well you do not just on the field, will set the standard for the others to follow.”
Plummer, reminded the team that Guyana had other female teams in other disciplines who excelled among them hockey, netball and cricket, athletics, table tennis and there was no reason why the IGG footballers should not succeed.
“There will be bumps along the way but I’m hoping that your camaraderie, attitude and discipline will allow you to overcome all of that and set the example for others to follow.”
Captain of the team is Tiffany Sancho. Assistant coaches are Colin Bowry and Nigel Felix, Chaperone Onefa George and manager, Zahir Moakan.
The Guyanese male and female teams will be in action this afternoon at the Guyana Defence Force ground taking on French Guiana. The female game will kick off at 14:00hrs.
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