Latest update April 4th, 2025 6:13 AM
Sunburst Camptown, Beacons advance
-PM Hinds applauds organisers, sponsors
It is anybody’s guess, but quite a few football fans posed the questions among
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds meets a member of the Northern Rangers team shortly before their clash with Beacons on Sunday.
themselves and to the media as to whether the emphatic statement made on Jan1 during the staging of the Banks Beer Knockout Cup finals or the new dispensation that characterised the 10th Parliament was responsible for the presence and subsequent resoluteness of Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.
Prime Minister Hinds arrived at the Tucville ground to witness the commencement of the NaMilCo Football Festival on Sunday and even though the opening game started beyond the scheduled time, the top official from the Government waited patiently, before taking time to inspect the club’s facilities and interact with sponsor’s representatives and executives of the host club Fruta Conquerors.
The PM shortly before kicking off the ball to signal the start of competition in an invited speech disclosed that the occasion was the second time he had visited the facility, recalling his first several years ago and commended those responsible for developing the ground to what it is today.
“I would like to commend all those who’re responsible for the development of football here, but also those who’ve contributed to the development of sports all over this country,” Hinds said.
He reflected on the sport in the 50’s and 60’s when according to the PM there was stiff competition among the clubs and called for a return of those days where spectators could be filled with the satisfaction of knowing that they will enjoy exciting and competitive games.
He closed by commending the major sponsors NaMilCo and Banks DIH Ltd as well as all the others that has contributed to the tournament.
Also in attendance was Managing Director of NaMilCo Bert Sukhai, Georgetown Football Association President Lt. Commander Vernon Burnett among others and they too made remarks.
Sukhai in his comments first acknowledged the presence of the PM, adding that he was extremely happy to see a senior official from the Government grace the Festival for the first time and that he look forward for more interactions in the future.
The main sponsor’s representative, who has repeatedly given the Company’s support over the past five years called on the club’s executive to continue to improve the facilities for the benefit of the youths, informing that he is optimistic that that will be done.
He urged the participating teams to exhibit competitiveness and discipline on the field of play and challenged the fans also to be on their best behavior throughout the tournament.
Sukhai said that even though the Festival at this point in time cannot rival tournaments such as the Kashif &Shanghai yearend spectacle, he is hoping that someday it reaches to that stature.
Burnett in his presentation spoke of his entity’s association with the Festival which he said is a healthy and supportive one that dates back overtime.
He congratulated the club for adding another year to the tournament which he said has always been organized in a very professional manner, while opining that this year should be no different.
Meanwhile, in the opening game, Sunburst Camptown led by a brace from Devon Forde, who netted in 20th and 90th minutes and a single strike from Peter Parks, who added his in the 31st eliminated the University of Guyana by a 3-1 margin.
Colin Bowry’s 24th minute response had leveled the game momentarily.
In the feature clash, Beacons routed Northern Rangers by a 4-0 margin.
Tory Lambert (45th), Sebastian Williams (62nd), Mikhail Stewart (70th) and Lionel Grimes (78th), all combined for the win.
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