BV Inter-Block Football winners receive prizes

May 19, 2009 Sports

Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony (right) hands over the winning trophy to Side Line Dam

Defending champions Side Line Dam who retained the title in this year’s Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport BV/Triumph Inter-Block Football Competition was presented with the winning trophy and cash, during a simple ceremony, which was held yesterday, in the office of Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony.
The occasion also saw in attendance, Organiser and Parliamentary Secretary Steve Ninvalle, representatives of the respective teams, Triumph’s Linden Dennis, Housing Scheme’s Shawn Daniels and former National Coach Joseph ‘Bill’ Wilson.

Collecting on behalf of the winning team was Captain Colin Jones, who in an invited comment called for more support for the Ministry’s initiative.
Jones said that the whole objective in terms of the community rivalry is to get the youths involved in an organised event and commended the organisers for creating a very good idea.

“Events of this nature can help to keep the youths away from negative distractions and we encourage them not to waste their individual talents, but instead come and put it to good use,” Jones revealed.
He added that the tournament, which coincidentally since its birth last year have seen BV /Triumph being used as the first community to get things started, is an event that is eagerly looked forward to by not only the participants, but the community as a whole.

Dr. Anthony in his remarks said that he was very impressed with the growth in popularity of the initiative, adding that at first it was met with some degree of scepticism, but now they are flooded with requests from many persons who would like to see such projects planned for their respective communities.
He mentioned that very shortly, the Ministry will be adding disciplines such as softball cricket, volleyball and basketball to the programme.

“It will have to be a collaborative effort between the Ministry and the communities, they will have to locate the area where the games will be played, prepare it and them we will provide the equipment to ensure its success,” Dr. Anthony informed.
He said that he was optimistic that the programme will expand, but reminded that they have a finite number that they can accommodate.

He called on the Private Sector to help in that regard, that is to assist in the expansion of the plan to involve more communities.
Ninvalle said that the vision is to have the initiative held in at least 25 communities across Guyana, disclosing that areas such as Buxton, Lethem and Mahdia are among those earmarked.
Wilson in his pronouncement spoke of the sport’s impact globally, referring to it as possessing the power to unite humans.
“To have a community-based competition could only work wonders for the various areas and to see parents and supporters come out and attend the matches augurs well for the future of the programme.