By Calvin Roberts
“The Berbice Football Association (BFA) needs to be more proactive in working with clubs affiliated to the association towards not only the development of the game, but the attraction of sponsorship for the game in the county.”
These were the words of Community Relations Officer within the Office of the President for Region 6 Faizal Jafferally who addressed the gathering prior to the presentation of prizes won for the Cheddi Jagan Memorial competition at the Annual awards ceremony for the BFA.
“The BFA has to be more visible and has to employ strong marketing strategies so as to attract sponsorship towards the development of the game in our county.”
“Sports have and will continue to play a major role in the development of Guyana and the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic government recognizes the importance of sport.
“Berbice is on the verge of an economic take off as over the last decade or so, we have seen a surge of businesses coming to Berbice whether it is commercial, agricultural or industrial, they are coming to Berbice.”
“To date we have the National Stadium where the Guyana/Suriname World Cup qualifier will be played and very soon, Berbice will be having a mini sports complex right on the outskirts of New Amsterdam.
The land has already been identified in Palmyra area and the construction of that sports complex, the development of football in Berbice should be on the rise,” said Jafferally.
“The completion of the Berbice River bridge would see more businesses coming to Berbice, hence the BFA should be able to secure more sponsorship for their football, thus allowing football fans in Berbice the opportunity to see more football games being played” Jafferally stated.
Disappointed Jafferally expressed his disappointment at the present condition of the Burnham Park ground which was the mecca of football in Berbice.
“I am disappointed at the state of this venue. I recalled as a youngster growing up in New Amsterdam, the days of Keith Humphrey and others who would go to the Burnham Park to showcase their talent. Today this venue is an eyesore. I view this as an insult to that great leader of our country.”
He added:”I recall efforts being made by a number of stakeholders including the regional administration to have discussions with the municipality of New Amsterdam to form a management committee for the resuscitation of Burnham Park and bring it back to its days of glory.”
“Unfortunately for reasons best known to them they are yet to come on board so that the regional administration, municipality, BFA and the business community can work together towards the rehabilitation of Burnham Park. Such would enable our young people to go there and showcase their talent in front of more spectators just like the stalwarts of yesteryear.”
Jafferally urged the BFA to continue working with the young footballers and schools and assured the body that once it became proactive, made itself visible and displayed strong marketing strategies, they would be able to attract better sponsorship towards the development of football in Berbice.
Earlier president of the BFA, Keith Ojeer, outlined the achievements of the BFA for the year 2007.
“Berbice football is on the rise and we are here to ensure that it happens in an orderly manner. Over the past few years, we have encountered some stumbling blocks in our efforts to get Berbice‘s football to the level it is now and beyond. “
”We have not had a single player represent Guyana at the senior level but the level of football displayed in the past season indicates that in the not too distant future such would be a reality.
“We at the BFA would like to thank our sponsors for partnering with us over the past year and look forward to a continued relationship with them as we seek to take Berbice football forward to another level.
“On behalf of the executives of the BFA, congrats to the clubs for their impressive showing and discipline displayed in our competitions and to the winners I extend heartfelt congratulations.”
According to chairman of the night’s proceedings Mark Bradford, this presentation awards ceremony can be view as one with a difference in the history of Berbice football.
“Not only are the winners receiving a trophy and cash prizes, but all members of the first, second and third place teams will be presented with replicas to show for their efforts in participating in the respective competitions” Bradford stated.
Teams and individuals receiving prizes in various categories were:
2007 BFA League
Winners: Monnederlust Football Club
Runners-up: Rosignol Football Club
3rd Place: Real Union Football Club
Most Goal scorer: Adrian Adams New Amsterdam United (16 goals in 11 matches)
Fair Play trophy: Arsenal Football Club
2008 Cheddi Jagan Memorial
Winners: New Amsterdam United. Trophy, replicas, medals and $100,000.00
Runners-up: Paradise Invaders Football Club. Replicas and $75,000.00
3rd: Real Union Football Club. Replicas and $50,000.00
Most Valuable Player (MVP) Olvis Mitchell (Paradise Invaders) trophy and pair of boots
Most goal scorer: Kevin Joseph (New Amsterdam United)
Best Goalkeeper: Dillon Young (Paradise United)
Members of the third place BFA under-17 team that participated in the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Pepsi sponsored Under-17 Inter-association competition were also presented with a certificate and a medal.
