Dawn of a new era in Guyana’s football as Stag Elite League kicks off today

Sep 18, 2015 Sports

---

Alpha play Slingerz, Pele oppose GFC

By Franklin Wilson

A new chapter in the development curve of local football will take shape from this evening when the new Stag Elite League organised by the Guyana Football Federation Normalisation Committee (NC) kicks off with four of the eight teams looking for a sound start.
Ever since coming into being, the NC has embarked on a mission to change the face and fortunes of local football with the full back of the GFF affiliates following a very stormy period the sport.
While it has not been all smooth sailing, there have been a number of encouraging moments and the Stag Elite League is one of the positives for the game; a tournament that will see eight of the nation’s leading clubs battle over the next eight months for supremacy with the biggest ever prize monies for a league at stake – ($15M) and two spots to the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship which is the precursor to the Scotiabank/CONCACAF Champions League.
Much has been reported on this league for the past few weeks including Ansa McAl being the marquee sponsor under their Stag Beer brand along with Courts (Guyana) and E-Networks also lending corporate support which is vital to the sustenance of the league. The GFF had also reported that FIFA will also play a major financial role.
Well, the time for all talking is over and it is now down to showcasing what would have been absorbed over the past two months or more during intense trainings sessions that have been ran by all the teams.
While a number of tested, tried and proven players would be featuring in the teams, it is highly anticipated that many young and exciting players will come to the fore during this league that will add depth and meaning to the national programme, the ultimate aim.
The feature game this evening between Guyana most successful club side, Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United and this nation’s youngest and most promising club, Slingerz based on the West Demerara will present a good test for both teams with fans being able to possibly see how the league will swing in the ensuing months.
Clubs have been shopping players from around the Caribbean for players to boost their local brigade so this in itself is a welcome strategy that can only lift the standard of the sport. Alpha United has been consistent in this regard having carried the national flag at many a regional and international competitions in the past.
They {Alpha}have maintained this necessary strategy and Head Coach Wayne ‘Wiggy’ Dover who has been very quiet in terms of prediction says that they will be featuring a mixture of seasoned and young players.
In what is anticipated to be a humdinger of a clash against Slingerz, Dover noted that it will be a big test for Alpha since they will be using a number of recently acquired Under-23 players the likes of William Europe, Delon Lanferman, Sherwin Skeete, Clive Matthews, goalkeeper Dorville Stewart and Stephan Ramsay.
Among the experienced players who will be suiting up for Alpga are Captain Daniel Wilson, Grenadian Kithson Baine, Jamaican Wayne Ellis, Quincy Madramootoo and Philbert Moffatt.
Exciting forward Domini Garnett is reported to be on loan with Slingerz from Caledonia AIA where he had signed a 2-year contract last year with the Trinidad and Tobago based Pro League side. It has also been reported that St. Vincent and the Grenadines national goalkeeper Winslow McDowall.
The opening game will set the tone for what is to come, as Georgetown Football Club (GFC) set to unveil a new brand of football will take on Pele FC, a club seeking to regain lost pride. Pele will be spearheaded by former national players Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson and Travis ‘Zorro’ Grant.
GFC’s General Manager, Faizal Khan is of the view that Richardson and his clan had their chance and it is time for a new breed of well coached, disciplined, young and quality players to be given a chance to shine.
Khan commented: “GFC this year will show case the most exciting young football players from all over Guyana, so be afraid of my GFC young squad, they are coming for you! They are tired of being talked down to and have a point to prove, they are going to play exciting football and turn heads this season.”
Khan shared that they have been investing in young players over the past two years and the majority of his players that played in the GFA league last year defeated Pele 2-0 when they were undefeated.
He said that they have now graduated into the Elite League squad and are eager to prove that they deserve the chance at this level. The likes of Curtis Kellman, Isiah Ready, David Coates, Keron Soloman, new acquisition Kelsey Benjamin a leading player from the Digicel Schools championship and Linden Dorway who are players that are well trained and well developed, according to Khan.
“We been able to add a little bit more steel through the middle with the likes of Golden Jaguar Derrick Carter, Linden Pickett, Gregory ‘Sugar’ Denny, forward Michael ‘Magic’ Henry and Kurt Johnson from Linden.”
Khan also informed that they have invested lots of money and would have brought in a professional physical trainer from Havana Cuba, Orlando Guirola Machado who worked previously with St. Vincent & the Grenadines national team as well as Cuba and he would have whipped the GFC team into, “fighting fit shape”, the General Manager stated.
“It’s a pleasure to be the general manager of an up and coming club, we have spent a lot of money on our surface, the club house is being renovated and onwards and upwards for GFC. We are looking to attract lots of fans and any person who hasn’t got a team in Guyana to follow at the moment, we are saying come and watch a GFC game, you are going to fall in love with these and exciting players.”
Another double header is set for tomorrow in Berbice at the #5 ground. Buxton United will open against Fruta Conquerors from 6pm with the home team, Monedderlust battling GDF in the feature clash.

---

---