The West Side Mashramani football tournament will kick off today at the Den Amstel Ground with a double header from 6pm.
In the first match Eagles will tackle Uitvlugt followed by Slingerz against Beavers at 8pm.
The tournament is being promoted by the newly formed Slingerz Football Organisation.
At the launch of the tournament, Bilall Nantambu, who chaired the proceedings said: “I am very pleased that the possibilities exist for the development of football in the West Coast of Demerara which is the primary objective.”
He added that the tournament was a welcome project for West Demerara where there is a shortage of football competitions.
Gordon ‘Ultimate Warrior’ Braithwaite, coach of Slingerz Football Club, in his address said the tournament was organized to set Slingerz FC on the road to playing football.
“Our mandate on the West Side is to develop football to such a level that in the years to come the best football will be played on the West side as it once was.”
According to Braithwaite, he is not known for being a part of projects that are short term, but long term. “We hope that by the time this tournament is over, our mandate would be fully established to play good football and develop football and make sure that West side is number one.”
He, however, said that Slingerz was on the road to self-development and it was his hope that other clubs will follow, because for Slingerz to reach the top they must be able to compete with clubs that are at their level.
(left to right sitting) John Maikoo, Bilaal Nantambu, Frankie Wilson, Jevon Rodrigues, Gavin Hope, Gordon Braithwaite and Lyndon Boston
Acting president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Frankie Wilson, said he was happy that Slingerz will be playing a more meaningful role in the development of football.
“I don’t think this is the first time that Slingerz is partnering with football because when I was over there as president they sponsored our senior tournament under the Two Brothers brand. So I think this is just a step further in their commitment by now putt together a team that we have been told by coach Braithwaite that will set a higher standard on the West side.”
Wilson said the GFF has endorsed that club.
“We have been in contact with the West Demerara Football Association, to ensure that they followed the criteria based on the constitution to have themselves legitimately recognised as a registered club on the West side, which is good for football as a whole. We would like to see competition level rising in all the association which ultimately would be a benefit for Guyana’s football as a whole,” he added.
Acting President of the West Demerara Football Association Jevon Rodrigues said the West Demerara has always produced competitive teams and a high calibre of players some of whom have played at the national level.
“I think also it is just the beginning of a busy schedule which we have planned and as an executive of the West Demerara Association, I would like to caution clubs and prepare them not only a knock tournament of this nature, but also from the youth level we are looking to get started from under 13, what we would call the west Demerara little league. So we are asking clubs if you don’t have under-13 players to start getting them in line it’s because it’s going to promote sportsmanship at an early age and team work”.
Sponsors AnsaMcAl under its Stag Brand, Cell phone giant Digicel and Hopkinson Mining all said that they were pleased to be a part of the tournament. Stag’s Brand Manager, John Maikoo said: “Stag is always happy to participate and team up with football locally. Since this is one part of the brand’s platform and it is within the DNA of the brand Stag.”
According to Maikoo, the company only recently completed the senior league which was a success.
“Because most of these teams were able to transfer their skills onto the field which will enable them to go on to major tournaments. Stag will always be there to sponsor these tournaments especially teaming up with Slingerz.”
Event and Sponsorship Manager for Digicel, Gavin Hope said while the company is happy to be on board with the tournament, he is more pleased with the players’ involvement in assisting at the school level. This he said will better prepare the schools for the upcoming football championship.
“With their help we will definitely see a higher level of football coming from schools on the West Side. The players he said will take the place of coaches in some schools that are without coaches”.
He said too that getting involved in this tournament was in important step, “We know that football or the residents on the Westside are passionate about football and I have seen that over the years. We have seen the growth of football teams from a school level in our national school competition. We thought it fit because of the growth and passion for football on the Westside that we should be a part of this project”.
Lyndon Boston, representing Hopkinson Mining said the company was happy to be a part of the tournament. According to him, it is the company’s believe that sport brings people together despite their background. The eight clubs participating in the tournament are: host Slingerz, Eagles, Utivlugt, Beavers, Seawall, Stewartville, Den Amstel and Young Achievers football clubs.
The first place team walks away with $500,000 while second to fourth place will receive $300, 000, $150,000 and $50,000 respectively.
