With the timeline for the start of their Yearend Super 16 Tournament quickly shrinking, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has tentatively requested that the regional member associations construct ‘All-Star’ teams to participate in the competition.
This was disclosed following an official correspondence by the GFF General Secretary Ian Alves to the respective member associations’ presidents and secretaries.
The email which was sent on Tuesday November 9 states, “As you might be aware, our plans for the GFF-Kashif & Shanghai Super 16 Yearend Tournament are progressing steadily. Initially, it was intended for the Regional Associations (RAs) to conduct their play-off tournaments in an effort to arrive at their entrants for the yearend tournament. However, it is recognized that it would be extremely difficult for some RAs, because of their number of member clubs and the level of inactivity imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic situation, to be able to conduct such play-offs in reasonable time to arrive at their top clubs.”
The correspondence further informed, “It is therefore being currently contemplated, to have the RAs field Regional Associations ‘All Stars’ Teams in the tournament. These teams, together with the Elite League Clubs, will comprise the participating teams of the tournament once this decision is formalized. It is therefore strongly recommended that the RAs get busy preparing their ‘All Stars’ teams, bearing in mind that ONLY VACCINATED players and staff will be allowed participation in the tournament.”
At the launch of the event on November 2, which is in partnership with the Kashif and Shanghai (K&S) organization, it was announced that the Elite League teams will migrate back to their respective associations to facilitate a playoff process. However, that initiative has seemingly been scrapped by the federation. Initially amongst the associations, Georgetown would have fielded 5 teams, while Linden and East Coast Demerara being represented by two teams. Bartica, Berbice, East Bank Demerara, Essequibo and West Demerara were allocated one participant respectively.
Rupununi’s initial involvement was rooted in the form of an All-Star or combined team. Similarly, an Indigenous All-Star setup from the other hinterland communities is also slated to be featured in the tournament. However each of the nine member associations is now expected to compete with an All-Star team, alongside the Elite League clubs.
According to the federation, nine of the 10 elite clubs have previously signalled a positive interest in participating, which translates to more than 16 teams competing in the tournament once every member association confirms its participation.
The tournament will last for the duration of eight days in December. These are: Sunday12 (GFC), Friday 17 (Buxton Ground), Sunday 19 (National Track and Field Centre, Leonora), Wednesday 22 (MSC ground, Linden), Saturday 25 (Buxton Ground), Sunday 26 (MSC ground, Linden), Wednesday 29 (GFC), and Saturday January 1 (National Track and Field Centre, Leonora).
The correspondence further disclosed, “The GFF Competitions Department will be in constant contact with you to get updates on the numbers and vaccination status of your ‘All Stars’ players and staff in order to confirm that you can be ready for the Registration deadline, which will be shared with you soonest. Only RAs satisfying the requirements will be accepted into the tournament.”
According to the missive, cash and material incentives inclusive of team preparation grants, will be made available to the teams and respective category winners. It also advised that all queries and clarifications should be directed to the federation’s competitions department.
