Latest update November 22nd, 2024 1:00 AM
Jun 22, 2011 Sports
It started right here in French Guiana four years ago with the same four clubs and the only nation not to have won the trophy is Guyana. This time around however, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United is seeking to take their first championship.
The top Guyanese side, Suriname Club champions Inter Moengotapoe, French Guiana champions US Matoury and Runner-up Gelder De Kourou are the clubs that participated in the inaugural championship which was the brainchild of the Presidents of the three countries – Colin Klass, Louis Guskus and Marcel BAFAU- aimed at fostering development of the game between the nations.
Gelder De Kourou was the first club to win and they were French champions at the time they have now been overtaken as local champs by US Matoury. Suriname’s Inter Moengotapoe won in their backyard in 2009 and then successfully defended the trophy last year in Guyana.
Alpha, despite being the dominant club in Guyana over the past five years have failed to transfer their dominance at this level and are aiming to make it all the way this time around. They opened their quest in this regard last evening in Remire-Montjoly against French Guiana top side US Matoury, Inter Moengotapoe played the first match against Gelder De Kourou.
Head Coach Wayne Dover said that he was confident that Alpha will take this year’s championship to ensure that the drought since the start of the competition is stopped.
“We have a very capable group of players here who can deliver the goods. We have come very close in the past to winning but did not have the focus to go all the way and we are aiming to change that this time around.
We are not underestimating any of the other clubs since they have had to be playing a high level to be representing their country but we are confident that we have what it takes to beat them. It is up to the players to go out there and execute the plan in a positive way.”
Leading Alpha will be seasoned campaigner Anthony ‘Awo’ Abrams, Shawn Bishop and veteran Goalie Richard Reynolds.
Andrew Murray, Leon Grumble, Kelvin McKenzie and Quincy Madramootoo are the only players in this team that would have participated in the first tournament.
The Guyana champions arrived in French Guiana around 22:00hrs on Monday evening following two days on the road via Suriname. Visas for French Guiana had to be issued in Suriname on Monday after the team left Guyana on Sunday. With the assistance of the French FA, French Consulates in Suriname and Guyana, GFF and the Suriname FA, the Guyanese were able to procure the visas.
Yesterday morning, the Mayor of Remire-Montjoly hosted Alpha and Inter Moengotapoe where he welcomed them to the country and wished them every success in the tournament while encouraging the teams to play the games in an atmosphere of Fair Play.
President of the French Guiana FA Marcel BAFAU in his remarks said that sport has become one of the social phenomena and the most important of modern times. He noted that football in particular, breaks down borders, differences and helps bring people together.
“Our league wants to be a full player in this regional cooperation. Regional cooperation cannot stop only with the economy and that is why we decided to sign this agreement with our neighbours Suriname and Guyana that gave birth in 2007 to the ‘Coupe Guyana’.”
GFF Vice President Franklin Wilson thanked the Mayor for hosting the teams and also commended the President’s of the three countries for starting what has become a flagship tournament.
Wilson pointed out that the tournament not only brings together the best clubs from the three countries but it has been contributing to the national grid also.
“This is vital for the continued development of the game in this region and moreso among our nations. It maintains a rich tradition of sports rivalry between the three Guianas and can only get better from this juncture.”
Wilson also noted that it was now time for youth and women to be involved, informing that the Presidents have already been discussing this.
The champion club will be crowned on Saturday when US Matoury face Inter Moengotapoe and Alpha United oppose Gelder De Kourou in the final game from 20:00hrs.
Competition will continue tomorrow (Thursday) with Alpha opening against Inter and the two French Guiana clubs facing off.
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