The fifth Fruta Conquerors Football Club’s NAMILCO Football Festival was officially launched on Thursday with Managing Director of the company Bert Sukhai heaping praise on the executive of the club for the continued growth and expansion of the tournament, while representing the good name of the company.
Sukhai observed that while the company has always been prudent in its spending, it recognised also the work that the club was doing to develop the game and the community so it was easy to plug $4M into this year’s tourney.
When the tournament first started in 2007 the first place team received $400,000 while this year’s tournament will see the winner taking home $1M, “more than a 100 percent increase from the inception,” Sukhai noted.
The managing director promised that the increase is an indication of things to come and he is hoping that there will be support from all stakeholders who have a vested interest in the development of the game and the players.
Secretary of the club Lavern Fraser-Thomas noted that NAILCO has always demonstrated a willingness to give back to sport, especially football. She indicated that the club is pleased to be in partnership with the company and reminded the gathering at the company’s headquarters at Agricola that the club has been able to start a reading programme and also rehabilitated its clubhouse at the Tucville ground.
She described NAMILCO’s input as important andsaid that with their help the club will continue to push the envelope of development.
President of Fruta Conquerors, Marlan Cole, observed that when the tournament started the Tucville ground had one set of bleachers for patrons and today there are two sets.
In addition, Cole said the lighting at the venue will be continuously improved but these developments could not have been possible without the assistance of the NAMILCO company and the festival.
Meanwhile, Cole gave an outline of the tournament, disclosing that 15 teams are scheduled to participate with Banks
All Stars playing an invitational game. The competition which was scheduled to kick off today with a double header at the Tucville ground has been postponed to a later date because of the inclement weather, said Cole.
Captain of the club Eon Alleyne also thanked NAMILCO for their support over the years during his vote of thanks.
