Pele FC launches Frank Watson/‘PT Stewart’ Thorne memorial football tournaments

Jan 20, 2015 Sports

President of Pele FC John Yates (right) and Club Secretary Mark Archer pose with the trophies and medals up for grabs during the two tournaments.

– Kick off set for Feb 7 at GFC

Regarded as being amongst the best to ever play the game locally, Pele FC launched the Third Edition of the Frank Watson and Gregory ‘PT Stewart’ Thorne Memorial Under15 and 17 tournaments, during a simple ceremony which was conducted at the Office of the Opposition Leader on Hadfield Street yesterday.
The tournaments which will run side by side are anticipated to kick off on February 7 and conclude on February 22 at the Georgetown Football Club ground and are being played in memory of the two deceased Pele FC stalwarts, who both represented the club at the player and administrative levels.
Matches will be played on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) and involve Western Tigers, Riddim Squad, Santos, Camptown, Black Water, GFC, Fruta Conquerors, Beacons, Houston Stars, Black Pearl, Renaissance and host Pele.
The top two finishers will receive trophies and medals and the tournament’s best goalkeeper, Best Defender and Most Valuable Player (MVP) will also receive prizes.
Each participating team will be outfitted by the organiser and there will be text books and uniform vouchers for the top two teams.
President of Pele FC John Yates told the media that special prizes will be given to players who exhibit high levels of academic performance in the 2014 school year.
“It’s important to note that great emphasis will be placed on the academic performance of the players who will participate in this tournament. The guiding principles of the Pele FC Alumni Corporation are to empower children in Guyana through sports, to help them to overcome their abject poverty by building their confidence, self-esteem, and ambition through the power of sports” Club Secretary Mark Archer said.
Watson was Pele’s first President who died when he was 23 years-old in a plane crash on December 33, 1973.
The former Thomas United youth player and later Pele FC smart, would often times be the subject of many discussions whenever an example to refer to a player who balances academia and sports and excelled on the football field.
The former striker’s legacy on the pitch would live through one of two sons; Clyde ‘Oiler’ Watson, who also played the forward position with distinction whilst representing Guyana.
Thorne, or as most persons would popularly remember him as, ‘PT Stewart’, was a first choice on Guyana’s Senior National team that played its first World Cup game at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground in 1976.
As a member of Pele FC during the club’s golden era, Thorne’s contribution to the team and football in Guyana was unequalled.