Following a period of dormancy of approximately six years, former national football championship club Slingerz FC of Vergenoegen, was officially relaunched yesterday at the Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue.
Javed Ali, President of Slingerz FC said, “Slingerz is back and it feels good to be back”, adding that the club aims to foster a professional environment, as every player will be financially compensated for their services.
Ali further disclosed that the club will also focus on academic and technical training to improve the educational faculties of the players, advising that more corporate sponsors should come on board with the club, as they aim to become a mainstay regionally in tournaments such as the Concacaf Club Shield and Champions League.
The club became inactive, and remained dormant when FIFA recommended their indefinite suspension along with Alpha United, after filing an injunction against Guyana Football Federation (GFF) following an impasse with the local authority in 2016. The two teams along with Georgetown Football Club and Pele, had pulled out of Elite League. The major contention was the decision of the GFF to increase the Elite League composition from eight to 10 teams [adding Victoria Kings and Topp XX].
Meanwhile, West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) President Trevor Williams, welcomed back the club to competitive football, adding “This is a huge step in the development of local football. I like the fact that the word investment is being used at the forum, and that development can’t happen without investment.”
He further stated that the club alongside Alpha United, had raised the quality of the sport locally, as resources were channelled into players, which was essential in improving the overall standard of the game.
Also, head-coach Vurlon Mills, said the clubs initial success was not dependent on the quality of their players but the preparation that was undertaken via the resources that were made available to the training staff.
The team will which also features Assistant Coaches, O’Neil Heywood and Dwain Jacobs, consists of Shawn Adonis, Prince Forde, Kevin Dundas (captain) Quincy Adams, Jerome Harrigon, Shakem Welcome, Simeon Moore, Clive Nobrega, Vincent Childera, Kvist Paul, Ricardo Halley, Dexroy Adams, Matrim Martin, Samuel Garnett, Neron Barrow, Delon Lanferman and Deon Alfred.
Among their major national honours during their first competitive run include the Banks Beer, GFF Elite League and Mayors Cup.
