Latest update February 20th, 2025 12:39 PM
GFF Stag Beer Elite Leauge launched at 704 Sports Bar
Members of the eight elite clubs with representatives of the sponsors and GFF NC.
By Rawle Welch
In attendance were members of the most important stakeholders related to the staging of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Stag Beer Elite League which was launched last evening, at the 704 Sports Bar on Albert and Lamaha Streets.
Members of the audience included Chairman of the Normalisation Committee Clinton Urling, GFF General Secretary Richard Groden, Technical Director Claude Bolton, Ansa McAl’s PRO Dharshanie Yusuf, Courts PRO Pernell Cummings, representatives of the eight selected clubs and general members of the football fraternity.
Chairman Urling, who gave the feature remarks, first extended thanks to the major stakeholders, the clubs for accepting the invitation to be part of the inaugural Elite League, before offering similar sentiments to the major sponsor Ansa McAl through its Stag Beer brand for being one of the biggest sponsors of the GFF programnmes including the League.
Urling also recognised the involvement of Courts (Guyana Inc.) and E-Networks, two entities that has come on board through the infusion of substantial sponsorship to ensure that the League is a success.
In relation to the discussions that were held with the respective entities, Urling disclosed that the Courts engagement was an easy trade off, informing that the Company had requested that the GFF get involved in social activities which they did.
That he said they had engaged in much to the appreciation of the sponsor, while E-Networks involvement is crucial to the development of the sport. According to the NC Chairman, “E-Networks might eventually play a seminal role in helping to develop the sport through the televising of the matches on its channels,” Urling stated.
He added that television and media must get on board to make the League a success. However, Urling was quick to note the importance and significance of the world governing body (FIFA’s) role in helping to develop football in Guyana, while at the same time underlining the value of the Government’s involvement in the process.
He referred to the league as the defining moment and the litmus test for football in Guyana, adding that it is important that it is sustained. “All the stakeholders are watching and it is imperative that the League is sustained,” Urling mentioned.
Bolton gave an overview of the manner in which the League will be run; informing that such an event has been a long time coming. “It is not the cheese (money) that counts, the national league will allow for a better national team and a better youth system,” Bolton emphasised.
The teams that will be participating include Alpha United, Buxton FC, Pele, Slingerz FC, Fruta Conquerors, Monnedderlust FC, Georgetown Football Club and the Guyana Defence Force. The teams will play home and away matches over two rounds in what Bolton described as the most lucrative tournament to date.
Yusuf in her remarks spoke of the benefits of the League which according to her is supposed to augment the country’s standing in the sport. She said it was the thought of such that prompted her Company’s involvement in the first place, while also mentioning that it is new ground for football locally and hopefully it can take football to the next level.
Yusuf said they are looking forward to an exciting League. Cummings in his response said Courts was pleased to be associated with the League and thanked the GFF for staging such a League in Guyana.
He spoke of his Company’s long association with the sport, pointing to the Pee Wee Competition as testimony to their support for the sport which starts at the junior level. He urged the fans to come out and support the venture of the GFF which kicks off on September 18 and is expected to run until May, 2016.
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