Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Pele Alumni makes donation to clubs, schools following Watson memorial tourney
Pele Alumni Corporation, a non-profitable organization which is based in New York and has satellite locations in Atlanta and California, recently made a contribution to several local clubs and schools following the conclusion of the inaugural Frank Watson Memorial tournament on Saturday night last at GFC ground.
Johnny Barnwell (center) of Queens College receives the balls from and Patrick Barton.
The entity was founded in 2012 in memory of Frank Watson, the first president of Pele FC who died tragically on December 3, 1973 at the age of 23. He was also a co-pilot with the Guyana Airways.
The organization successfully hosted a U-15 and U-17 tournament in which 26 teams from 13 clubs participated. Fruta Conquerors overcame Western Tigers to take the U-15 title while Santos claimed the U-17 crown after defeating Pele on penalties. Prior to the finals, Little Divas went down to Foxy ladies FC in a female exhibition game. Members of the finalists were presented with medals.
Additionally the organization donated 80 $5,000 school vouchers to students that took part in the competitions. Lap tops were given to the MVPs as well as Stephen King of Queens College and Thomas Diarra of Marion Academy.
Each participating teams received complete sets of uniforms, two balls and a pair of goalkeeping gloves.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport yesterday, president of Pele Alumni Corporation overseas based Guyanese Denis Ivor Carrington said the body was formed exclusively for assisting the youths in Guyana while enjoying the beautiful game.
“Our main is to improve education here through football by utilizing non-cash donations,” he added.
Carrington explained that during Pele FC 40th anniversary celebrations in 2011, over 50 former players as well as Coaches, fans and former executive visited and it was at this forum the idea of forming this body was born. “In order to develop our by-laws in education we decided to host these tournaments,” he said. Treasurer of the entity, former Pele captain Patrick Barton, who also captained Guyana at the U-17 and U-23 levels, stated that they are pleased to facilitate the development of the youths.
Barton who led Guyana to the Inter Guiana Games U-17 title in 1973, was also part the victorious Pele team that won the Demico league and Father Niles trophy.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Bureaucracy gone bananas!
…Peeping Tom kaieteur News- Every morning, the government wakes up, stretches its arms, and spends one billion dollars... more
Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News – There is an alarming surge in gun-related violence, particularly among younger... more
Weekend Cartoon
