– Courts to sponsor tourney
By Kizan Brumell
A `blast from the past’ has returned in the form of the once annual Peewee football competition.
At a press conference held at furniture giants Courts Guyana Incorporated Main Street building, it was announced that Peewee football will once again be placed on the Georgetown Football Association’s (GFA) calendar of events.
The return of Peewee football in Georgetown is mainly because of the sponsorship by Courts and will be contested under the theme…”Adding Value Every Day.”
The launching of the competition took place on Wednesday at the boardroom of the sponsors and a sponsorship cheque to the tune of G$509,000.00 was presented to the GFA.
Chairperson Zeya Ramnauth (PRO) introduced secretary of the GFA, Marlon Cole who said some 16 teams to be divided into groups of four, would participate in the competition.
Five rule changes have been made for the competition and, according to Cole, “As with junior football, rules must be changed and this is part of development in football.”
The match duration is 40 minutes (20 minutes per half).
A team will consist of 12 players and the list can change during the week and for substitution, one does not have to wait on the referee’s call to be substituted but an indication of a substitution must be made clear to the referee.
All matches will be played on the Banks DIH., Thirst Park ground, which will be divided into two playing arenas (30x60m dimension).
A size three ball will be the official competition ball.
Each team will play three matches in its group and the top two finishers will advance to the knockout stage.
The teams are: New Amsterdam United Football Club (FC), BV/ Triumph United FC, Fruta Conquerors, Santos FC, Green Acres Primary, Marian Academy, Plaisance, Strike Again, Mocha Champs, Beacons, Monedderlust, Crane, Sunburst Camptown, Ann’s Grove, Buxton United and Pouderoyen FC.
Prizes will be awarded to the top four finishing teams, Most Valuable Player, Best Goal Keeper, Most Goals and the Best Supporting Parent.
Molly Hassan, Marketing Executive of Courts Inc. in brief remarks said: “Courts is more than thrilled to be the official sponsor of the Courts Peewee Football Tournament 2008.”
She added that the U–11 stars are the football heroes of tomorrow and could not imagine that youths at such a susceptible age, full of zest, energy and bursting with talent not being properly groomed.
Hassan commended the GFA for including the Peewee Tournament in this year’s football season and urged all teams to stay focused and maintain discipline throughout the competition.
The competition begins tomorrow at 1pm and matches will be played only on Saturdays after noon.
