The third season of the ‘Elite League’ faces an uncertain recommencement as the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is yet to confirm a resumption date.
According to GFF Communications Director Debra Francis, “The date has not been confirmed as yet. I don’t have a reason to give, I have been advised, by Mr. [Ian] Alves [Director of Competitions] that a date has not been confirmed.”
The 10-team tournament was initially set to resume Friday. Asked if financial constraints were the reason for the league’s inability to restart on the initially scheduled date, Francis, said, “I will not be able to comment on that.”
From the inception, the much hyped tournament, has hemorrhaged millions of dollars in its opening two seasons. The league was halted in December for the commencement of the annual year-end football classic.
According to sources close to the federation, “The league will definitely not start this week and we have no idea when. It should have restarted on time but I don’t think logistically they are ready to start.”
Presently the federation is currently indebted to the tune of millions of dollars to several clubs.
“Nothing, no word has come from the GFF on the outstanding monies. January is already done and there is no word from them yet,” the sources said.
The GFF is yet to pay the prize monies for the ‘Big Four’ Championship which ended on November 12th 2017 as well as their Year-end Championship, which concluded on January 1st 2018.
Several clubs are also owed transportation fees, ground rentals and insurance matters, while match day stipends for the opening two rounds of the Elite League are also unsettled to the players.
Tucville giant Fruta Conquerors is owed $1,500,000 for winning the ‘Big Four’ Championship, while ‘Elite League’ champion, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) is awaiting the second place package of $700,000.
On the other hand, East Coast Demerara giants Buxton United and Victoria Kings are owed $500,000 and $300,000 each for finishing third and fourth respectively.
Meanwhile, GDF is owed $2,000,000 after defeating Grove Hi-Tech by a 2-0 scoreline to secure the Yearend Championship. The East Bank Demerara unit is owed $1,000,000 for finishing as the runner-up.
Similarly, Fruta Conquerors and Milerock are owed $500,000 and $250,000 apiece for finishing in the third and fourth positions respectively.
