FastBall will help to unearth hidden talent – Dr. Anthony

May 22, 2011 Sports

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Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony is of the view that the GT&T FastBall / It’s Not Just Football. It’s FastBall football tournament will unearth lots of hidden talent to the benefit of the sports development.
Those remarks were made at the official unveiling of the tournament at the Princess Hotel on Friday evening.
Dr. Anthony strongly believes that the structure of current tournaments around Guyana will never allow many talented players to come to the fore.
“By having a tournament like this, not only going to the communities across the country but the Regions is a tremendous achievement and for that alone GT&T must be commended. The concept is fantastic; using all the principles of football in a more exciting way is wonderful.”
The tournament which is anticipated to take Guyana by storm will kick off on July 2 and the organisers are aiming to register over 1000 teams which will battle for over Two Million dollars in prizes.
Dr. Anthony who has always been in the forefront of promoting healthy lifestyles through sports also sought to explain the benefits of FastBall from a health perspective.
“We know that were being plagued with what is now termed chronic non communicable diseases and that is because as societies becomes more affluent people are staying at home and don’t exercise as much so people are becoming more obese which leads to all kinds of medical problems.
We feel that with tournaments like this and the GT&T Ten10 which was also a success story, the players are able to exercise and remain healthy. Because of this kind of competition, people will want to play year round. Once you start to feel that vigor and vitality that comes with exercising and sport, you want to stay fit and remain that way and look good.”
FastBall he said would allow players to go out there, play competitively, and do something that will make their communities proud with players also being able to become role models within their various communities.
“So when you add all these different potentials I think it’s really a win, win; not only for GT&T, not only for the other sponsors and partners, but for everyone in Guyana.” The involvement of women in the tournament was also highly commended by the Minister.
GFF President Colin Klass also was in high praise for GT&T for their brave initiative and investment along with Banks DIH for a tournament of this magnitude.
He said he was thrilled with the fact that the tournament would be played throughout the length and breadth of Guyana which is in keeping with the mandate of the Federation.
“FIFA’s contribution is as it says a contribution which is for development, but FIFA expects that both corporate Guyana and the Government and all other entities join with the Federation to develop the game here. Independently, we will never be able to do it alone regardless of who say how much we get, Guyana is ours and we need to do it together. So to GT&T and Banks DIH my sincere thanks and appreciation on behalf of all Guyana and the fraternity of football.”
Klass informed the gathering that the GFF has all the necessary tools to ensure that FastBall is successful and in Guyana to stay.
CEO of GT&T Yog Mahadeo in giving a brief on FastBall said that the intention of the company is to make it an annual affair and it is not being done for any financial gains.
He noted that two years ago, the Ten10 softball cricket concept was born and ever since over 20,000 players have been attracted to the tournament from across Guyana which is an amazing feat. Many he said, never expected to be on the national stage but was given that opportunity.
“It is GT&T’s aim as we have done for 20 years; continue to contribute significantly to the development of our beautiful country. It is with these good and noble intents in mind that we have thought of this new concept of FastBall.”
Mahadeo pointed out that like softball, this new competition is not being run with an intention of it being a revenue earner.
“It is being run with the intention of it galvanizing the villages, galvanizing our people and putting the things that we see as very important and that is bringing people from the villages and giving them the chance to play on the national stage; a full infusion of energy that would see our nation rise as a whole.”
With the matches expected to be played at a fast pace, a blue ball will be used in the game after 12 minutes in each half. If a team scores during this period, the scoring team will be awarded double goals.
Games will be played at all the recognised grounds across Guyana with registration commencing on June 23. GT&T teams will be visiting the Regions to enlighten and encourage teams to sign up for the tournament.

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