By Calvin Roberts
World Cup football and rain played havoc when the Georgetown Football Assoc-iation (GFA) made attempts to kick off their first division season a few weeks ago.
The competition which will be played under the Banks Beer banner was launched in the boardroom of Banks DIH Thirst Park a few weeks ago.
At the launch Communications Officer of Banks DIH Limited Troy Peters expressed his Company’s satisfaction with the work being done by the GFA.
“We are in the height of the football season where Guyana played Suriname in a World Cup qualifier and lost. Then there is the European Championships along with other major tournaments currently taking place around the world.”
The competition will attract eight teams and is being sponsored by Banks DIH Limited, which according to Peters has an “excellent working relationship with the GFA.”
The competition is expected to encourage football fans to support matches in their respective areas and will add to the Premium Beer knockout and the Coca Cola Under-15 tournaments that were held during 2007 and climaxed in 2008.
”Banks DIH is committed to the development of sports in Guyana and we have enjoyed the success of the two recent tournaments organized by the GFA and at present, we are sponsoring first division competitions organized by the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) and the Berbice Football Association (BFA) respectively,” Peters said.
The eight-team tournament will be played during Carifesta and, according to Peters, it will not only allow visitors to have a look at the football stars on show, but also give them the opportunity to taste the flagship beer of Guyana.
“Our Gold Medal winning Banks Beer made a distinctive mark during the inaugural Carifesta hosted by Guyana back in 1972 and this time around, 36 years later, Banks Beer our flagship beer, will once again give visitors to these shores that distinct taste of Guyana’s best beer even as our stars display their talent on the football field.
“We would like to wish the GFA all the best in this endeavour and look forward to seeing the tournament run in a professional way, whilst the key word to the players and officials must be …Fair Play,” he added.
President of the GFA Troy Mendonca thanked the sponsors for their timely sponsorship of the competition which was won last year by Uprising Football Club with Georgetown football Club finishing as the runners up.
“This gesture by Banks DIH who partnered with us last year in the Coca Cola under-15 and Premium Beer Knock Out competitions, clearly shows their commitment towards the development of football in Guyana.
They have been partnering with us before and even at present during the playing of the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GT&T) Cellink Plus sponsored Premier League competition where they assist with the supplying of logistics support (e.g tents, toilets and beverages).
“On behalf of the GFA, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to Banks DIH Limited for this timely sponsorship and look forward to continue working with them in the future as they have committed themselves towards the sponsorship of the Coca Cola and Premium beer Knock Out competitions” Mendonca said.
The competition will be played on a round robin basis with the first game kicking off today at the Camptown Football Club and Farnum grounds respectively.
The second round of games in this competition will be a knock out affair and teams will definitely be looking to play to their full potential as places in the GT&T Cellink Plus Premier League are up for grabs.
Last year’s winner and runners-up Uprising and Georgetown Football Club are now contesting the Cellink Plus Premier League, whilst two of the Premier League teams B.K International Western Tigers and Police Sports Club have been relegated from that level of competition to first division.
However, Police are no longer contesting any level of competition with the GFA, leaving seven other teams to contest for the first prize of $150,000.00 and trophy, along with the top two positions with B K International Western Tigers for a place in the Premier League next year.
These are Huston Stars, Beacon United, Thomas United, Flamingo, Northern Rangers, Black Pearl and University of Guyana Football Clubs respectively.
The second-placed team will receive $75,000.00 and a trophy whilst third and fourth -placed finishers will receive $50,000.00 and $25,000.00 respectively.
Games will also be played at the Banks DIH Thirst Park ground on Wednesdays from 1700hrs and will be a double header affair with the latter being played under the lights.
