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Stag Elite League March Past… SEL offers window of opportunity to transform football to next level – Minister Henry
Minister Henry (4th left) flanked by GFF NC Chairman Clinton Urling (4th right) and other dignitaries at the March Past of Stag Elite League teams on Friday night at Leonora.
By Franklin Wilson
“Even as government commits to increase funding in sport, it is important that we do not rely on government funding alone because the development of the sports eco system cannot be driven by just government, we need all partners; companies and society at large to do their part to help us take sports in Guyana to the higher level.”
Underscoring government’s support for sports development during her feature remarks was Minister within the Ministry of Education with responsibility for Sport Ms. Nicolette Henryfollowing a colorful march past of the eight competing teams of the Stag Elite League which kicked off on Friday evening last at the Leonora Track and Field Facility Football Field.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee, sponsors and clubs were complimented for combining efforts towards realizing the Stag Elite League.
Taking the salute at the march past along with Minister Henry were GFF NC Chairman Clinton Urling, Imran Khan, Director of Public Information – Prime Minister’s Office, Director of Sport Christopher Jones and other officials.
Minister Henry said that the league offers a window of opportunity to transform the sport in Guyana to the next level while noting that athletes do not become champions on their own pointing out that it takes a holistic approach and team effort to earn athletic success.
“It also takes collaboration with different stakeholders. One important partner is the media, they help to promote and support local sport through their coverage in the print, broadcast and online media. They help to profile our local sporting heroes and they enable Guyanese to better understand the challenges which our athletes go through to pursue their sporting dreams.”
While thanking the media, Minister Henry challenged them to offer even more coverage to local sports going forward. The efforts of those who work behind the scenes to support athletes including parents were recognized the Minister.
“There are a few things in life that rally the emotion and fire up the true Guyanese spirit like sport. It is a language that everyone can understand; at its very best sports can bring people together no matter our background or race. It bonds our communities and it fosters national pride.”
Corporate Guyana was encouraged to step up its support and involvement in sports and to use it as a platform to build camaraderie.
Khan, who represented Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, who was on official duty at the Berbice Expo, conveyed best wishes to the GFF, sponsors and players for a successful tournament.
“I would like to support the comments of Mr. Urling that this is the start of something very historic. This is the start of seeing the Golden Jaguars in the World Cup. It is something that is in the infancy stages and phase, we wish you the very best and we ask you to acknowledge and recognize the historic importance of this particular event.”
Khan told the players that they are collectively taking football in Guyana to the next level whilst wishing the team’s success.
GFF’s Urling, while acknowledging the partnership of main sponsor Ansa McAl, also praised Courts Guyana Inc., E-Networks and the others that have made the league possible.
He described the tournament as a monumental one for Guyana’s football. “The elite league is the most important element in our entire football calendar over the next year and going forward over the next decade and beyond. Without consistent football being played we cannot develop our next generation of footballers, tonight this is the beginning of Guyana’s football future.”
Twined with infrastructural development that is on the cards with a state of the art facility at Providence, East Bank Demerara, Urling shared that it represents the pinnacle of the nation’s football.
Ms. DarshanieYussuf, Ansa McAl’s Public Relations Officer said that it is amazing to see the eight teams lined up as they embark on a historic journey, one that will define the future of the sport in the Land of many Waters.
She also reminded that Ansa McAl has been fulfilling its role in the developmental landscape of sports in Guyana and not just football.
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