Youth footballers tutored as celebratory activities wind down

Apr 28, 2011 Sports

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As activities to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Pele FC continue at the Georgetown Football Club Ground Bourda, more than sixty (60) Under-15 footballers, under the tutelage of fifteen (15) coaches were tutored in the intricacies of basic soccer skills and discipline meant to foster their mental and physical growth in preparation for the rigors of participation in the sport. Yesterday’s activities were the climax of a weeklong sessions that included football related activities and acknowledgement gestures for past and present stalwarts of the club.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport shortly after the youngsters broke for lunch, two of the founder members of the club, Ivor ‘Brazilian’ Jones and Ivor Carrington head of the coaching seminar and co-chairman of the Pele Alumni Corporation (PAC) respectively, informed that other than the celebratory spirit, the thrust of the activities was to provide training and guidance for the aspiring footballers so as to foster the necessary habits and attitudes towards their physical and mental socialization. He further explained that a prerequisite for qualification into the programme was the children’s attendance at school.
The former footballer further emphasized that the American based group would chaperone the selected participants onto tertiary education and provide additional support in the form of books and other educational apparel needed throughout their tenure at the tertiary institution. “One of our major concerns is the great number of juveniles that are school dropouts with no one to institute advice and guidance,” said Mr. Carrington. Such concerns resulted in the conceptualization of the overseas based institution.
The two administrators are a part of a group of forty past members of the Pele FC, scattered all across the United States of America with a common aim of retaining the proud historical heritage of the club.
Mr. Carrington intimated that the PAC is a nonprofit, charitable organization aimed at promoting soccer in the schools with a strong emphasis on the acquisition of a sound education.
He explained that the idea to render support to the local club was conceptualized in 2007 during a reunion of past members in Atlanta, Georgia.
The solidification of the organization was further facilitated through a networking process where the group engaged in teleconference activities for approximately two hours every Sunday.
The process also entailed fund raising activities to offset the local programme and Mr. Carrington’s colleague, Ivor Jones stated that the group was able to raise more than US$20,000, funds now being utilized towards the anniversary activities.
Meanwhile, the current activities got underway on Tuesday April 24 last with a fun day at the GFC ground and culminate with an award ceremony, banquet and dance at the Umana Yana tomorrow evening.
In between, the organizers staged several football matches where the veterans rekindled the memories of yesteryear. On Tuesday, a Pele U-17 squad opposed their counterparts from the GFC and the former team prevailed 1-0. Also on Tuesday, the overseas veterans and their counterparts from Santos FC battled to a 3 all stalemate while Pele triumphed 4-2 against Santos FC. Two other games are scheduled for today when the overseas veterans tackle the Pele veterans.
The current Pele squad would engage Alpha United in the final game. Further, the overseas based group will honour the hard work and dedication of 16 persons whose contribution towards the promotion and advancement of the club served as a catalyst to its many achievements over the years.
Those names will be released at an appreciation ceremony scheduled for tomorrow at the Umana Yana.
The names of the awardees are still to be released but this publication understands that three females are among the group. The organisers also envisages an attendance of more than 350 persons at the function which is sponsored by OMG – Sheriff Street, Campbellville and Banks DIH Ltd.
Former national coach, Lennox Arthur and Clyde ‘Farmer’ Brown also featured in the activities and will each receive gold rings with the club’s emblem for their sterling contribution to the development of the club.
Earlier, the two stalwarts were guests of honour at a specially arranged Luncheon.
Among some of the names in the overseas based organizing committee are former president of the club, Billy Braithwaite, Keith ‘Bumpy’ Layne, Eric ‘Riggy’ Smith and Linden ‘Colt’ Carter.
Those coaches in charge of yesterday’s activities are Dennis ‘Chow’ Hunte, Vibert Butts, Herbert Pellew, Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite and the lone female, Roxanne ‘Pukin’ Keith, mother of National players Kanata and Mandela Mannings.
The organisers are optimistic that at the end of the sessions, when the overseas team would have left the country, the local team would use the template towards the continuity of development of the local players.
Activities were coordinated by President (Carey Jacques) and Executives of the Pele FC.

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