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Third annual CCCSFC underway in Guyana
Tri nation youth football tourney creating Unity and Building Friendships
By Sean Devers
The third Annual Caribbean Children’s Charity Shield Football Classic for Under-15 and 17 teams from ‘troubled’ communities in Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Guyana got off to an auspicious start on Wednesday at the Guyana Defense Force (GDF) ground with the feature address being done by Guyana’s President, His Excellency David Granger.
Players from Pele (yellow) and Fruta Conquerors battle for possession at the GDF ground yesterday.
This tri-nation tournament concludes on August 30 at the same venue with the semi finals of the age group competitions in the morning; finals of the U-15s from 15:00hrs and the U-17 from 16:30 hrs.
The event is organised by the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation (HLHDF) and was inaugurated in 2014 in Barbados. It was contested in Trinidad last year and is a Sporting and Social Development initiative conceptualized in Trinidad by Barbadian Lashley whose name is affixed to the Foundation.
This year’s competition includes 12 clubs from the host Country, six from Barbados and four from T&T. Next year’s tournament, scheduled for St Vincent & the Grenadines could include girl’s teams for the first time while the ultimate goal is to involve as many Caribbean nations as possible.
This event is sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) whose President, Wayne Forde along with a representative from the NSC and the Ministry of Tourism also spoke at the opening ceremony.
Tricia Browne – Tournament Secretary
Barbadian Tricia Browne is the tournament’s Secretary and told Kaieteur Sport that President Granger (then Guyana’s opposition Leader) witnessed the 2014 event and was impressed by the concept of the tournament.
“President Granger wanted the tournament to come to Guyana and when we approached him he was very supportive and the Government has been very accommodating. I am totally satisfied with everything so far” Browne said.
Lashley was also high in praise for President Granger’s effort in supporting this event in a major way. “President Granger ensured the use of the GDF ground and we would like to thank the GDF for facilitating us here” Lashley stated.
Browne, who is also the Manager of defending U-17 champs ‘Pride of Gall Hill’ in Barbados, explained that the tournament is not all about football only.
Football is a powerful tool we use for strengthening unity, friendships and social ties, encouraging individual and economic development, promoting the ideal of peace and stopping discrimination against ‘at risk’ communities” stated Browne, who has been with the programme from its inception.
She said a special presentation to President Granger by a representative of Barbados and T&T and a cultural showpiece is planned. Browne said the only challenge is funding and informed that this year there has been a ‘slight drop’ in numbers from the last two years because of higher airfares.
Hamilton Lashley – HLHDF Head
“Most of these youths have never travelled before and were so excited to get passports, fly in a plane and compete not only against players from other communities but from other countries” Browne disclosed.
It was also mentioned that each club is responsible for their airfare and accommodation and they do that by getting donations, sponsorship and holding fund raisers.
Yesterday, the different team-uniforms produced a kaleidoscope of color with music and commentary, done by 1990 T&T Strike Squad member Nevick Denoon, blasting from the sound system all day long.
The national flags of the three nations on show fluttered merrily in a strong breeze blowing from the Atlantic Ocean. Today, the action shifts to the GFC ground where the U-15s will be involved in four matches while the U-17s will play four matches at the Tucville ground. The opening game is set to kick off at 09:00hrs while the last match of the day starts at 15:00hrs.
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