Bert Sukhai, Chief Executive Officer of the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) said that his company was pleased with the organisation of the just concluded NAMILCO knockout football Festival.
Speaking at yesterday’s presentation ceremony, Sukhai, who admitted that he witnessed football live for the first time during the tournament, said that he was very impressed by the high standard displayed and his company was pleased to be associated with the Festival staged from November 23 to December 9 at the Tucville Playfield.
He urged football fans and the public at large to support the local Milling Company as it fights to stave off stiff competition from the Trinidad and Tobago Milling Company.
“NAMILCO is going through some tough times from unfair competition and I urge you to be loyal to NAMILCO,” Sukhai disclosed.
He expressed appreciation to the media for their support during the tournament and offered special congratulations to Guyana Defence Force (GDF) goalkeeper Keith Fraser for his outstanding performance during the penalty shootout in the final.
GDF squeezed past Alpha United 6-5 in a sudden death penalty shootout to win the championship.
The Army side carted off the NAMILCO Trophy plus $400,000 for their effort.
Tournament coordinator Marlon Cole said that 75 per cent of the gate proceeds will go towards the development of the Tucville Playfield which would include improved lighting. “We will be making aggressive moves to upgrade the facility,” he added.
According to Cole the tournament was flawless with the only interruption being rain and he expressed thanks to the spectators for showing discipline throughout the event.
President of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Colin Klass commended NAMILCO for supporting football and disclosed that the GFF will be working closely with the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) and Fruta Conquerors Football Club to upgrade the facility.
“We may not be able to contribute much but we will work together with the GFA and Conquerors to develop the Tucville ground,” Klass said.
Fruta Conquerors Presid-ent Colin Howard said that he hoped the sponsors received returns on their sponsorship and he called on football fans to support the company.
Lieutenant Kirk Marlock received the Championship Trophy plus a cheque for $400,000 dollars on behalf of the GDF the 2007 winners.
Alpha took home $200,000 plus a trophy for claiming the runner-up spot, while BV/Triumph United carted off $100,000 for third place and Pouderoyen $50,000 for finishing fourth.
The army’s lethal striker Stellon David who was voted the Most Valuable player (MVP) received a trophy from the sponsor plus $25,000 donated by 2Js General Store, while his teammate Fraser received a trophy and a cellular phone compliments of Swansea telecommunications for being adjudged the best goalkeeper.
The highest goal scorer prize sponsored by Junior Jewellery went to Delroy Deen of BV and Clement Brown of Pouderoyen, who both recorded five goals apiece in the competition while 17-year-old Kenson Lindley of Berbice side Monedderlust and 19-year-old Akel Clark of Fruta Conquerors have both received computer scholarships from Global Technology – prizes to two promising players.
Monedderlust was voted the most disciplined team.
Also present at yesterday’s presentation were Ralf Hemsing, Operations Manager and Auto Lakeram Finance Controller of NAMILCO and Afeeze Khan, President of the Guyana Amateur Boxing Association (GABA) who chaired the proceedings.
NAMILCO sponsored the tournament, now in its fourth year to the tune of $1.5 million.
