![GFF Technical Director Ian Greenwood [centre] is flanked by members of the launch party for the Frank Watson Memorial National U-15 Intra-Association Football Playoff. Also in the photo are Pele Alumni member and former President John Yates [right] and GFF Youth Development Officer [2nd from left], Santos FC executive Frank Parris [3rd from right] and Timehri Panthers President Adrian Gonsalves [left]](https://s1.stabroeknews.com/images/2019/01/pele31.jpg)
The Frank Watson Memorial National U-15 Intra-Association Football Playoff was officially launched yesterday at the Guyana Football Federation [GFF] Boardroom, Section-K Campbellville.
The event, which will kick-off on Saturday at the National Training Centre, Providence, will feature 10 teams from each Regional Member Association [RMA]. The finale of the four-day tournament is billed for February 16th.
The competing teams are Corriverton Lynx [Berbice FA], BV/Triumph [East Demerara FA], Santos [Georgetown FA], Timehri Panthers [East Bank FA], FC Eagles [West Demerara FA], Milerock [Upper Demerara FA], Dartmouth Dominators [Essequibo/Pomeroon FA], Rising Stars [Bartica FA], Atkinson Brothers [Region #1] and Tabatinga FC [Rupununi FA].
On the opening day, Cluster-1 will contest matches. The competing teams are Corriverton Lynx, BV/Triumph and Santos FC.
Cluster-2, which commences at the same venue on February 3rd, will feature Timehri Panthers, Eagles and Milerock. Meanwhile Cluster-3 will be staged on February 9th at the Anna Regina Community Center and contains Dartmouth Dominators, Rising Stars and Atkinson Brothers.
The winner of each cluster will advance to the final playoff. Tabatinga FC has been afforded a bye to the final playoffs.
John Yates, Former President of Pele FC and member of the Pele Alumni stated that the tournament was conceptualized by the group which consists of 60-odd former players and officials of the club, to develop football in the country at the youth level. According to Yates, Watson was the first president of the club and built its foundation on discipline and education, which transformed the club into the leading sporting entity locally.
GFF Technical Development Officer Ian Greenwood declared that the event provides the platform and aligns with the mantra and objective of the federation in creating quality players.
According to Greenwood while facilitating the event at the respective association levels have featured several struggles, the tournament forms a major part of the federation’s development plan for youth football, alongside the Grassroots Programme and Academy Training Centers.
He revealed that the competition will be utilized to identify and scout talent in the respective associations ahead of Guyana’s participation in CONCACAF tournaments at the U15 level later in the year.
Meanwhile, GFF Youth Development Officer Bryan Joseph, stated that the federation is proud of the partnership with the Alumni, adding that the collaboration has afforded the entity the ability to execute a tournament of this magnitude.
