National football season open at MSC ground
By Isaiah Chappelle
Guyana Chronicle
November 21, 2006
THE national football season opened on Sunday at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, as the senior National team prepared for the Digicel Caribbean Cup second round qualifiers at the GCC ground, Bourda, from Friday.
Member of the Local Organising Committee, Kashif Mohammed, remarked that Guyana now could go into the round with the expectations of winning.
He pointed out that in past years the spectators went to see the senior National team in international matches, hoping for a draw or a loss by a small margin.
“This time round, we know Guyana can win,” he said.
Acting president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Franklin Wilson in the feature address said that everyone was aware of the recent exploits of the National team.
“The process will continue at the GCC ground.”
Wilson said the present players registered a historic feat by winning the group outright, never done before.
“Ultimately, we’re looking to qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.”
GFF vice-president Wilson, deputising for president Colin Klass who was out of the country on official football business, also highlighted the re-start of women’s football with a workshop on Saturday in Linden, involving players from all the associations.
“Women’s football momentum can only be maintained with the overall support of the associations.”
He urged associations to have training form part of their football programmes as he declared open the 2006/2007 season.
President of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) Brian Joseph also lauded the launch of women’s football.
He too highlighted the recent good performance of the senior National team in the Digicel Caribbean Cup.
“They’re now real role models for our young footballers.”
Chairperson of the proceedings, GFF treasurer Aubrey Henry, was high in praise for the women’s participation in the opening.
“It shows that women’s football is back to stay.”
He said associations must ensure that they were well-organised to have football played consistently at the highest level.
Henry disclosed that associations would have to start their tournaments in February in each year, so that the federation’s season could start earlier.
Associations from even Rupununi and Essequibo Coast were represented at the opening, with Bartica being the only one not fielding representatives.
However, Rupununi and Essequibo, along with Berbice, were at the venue early for a 12:00 h start but had to wait for three hours before the opening got under way.
The grand participation by the Guyana Football Referees Council (GFRC) fizzled, with just two referees joining the march past, claiming they had no uniforms. The seemingly uncontrollable GFRC was created by the GFF.
There were several novelty events pitting associations against each other before the two matches, in which a Georgetown women’s side came up against the counterparts from the Rupununi and the Senior National team clashed with the National Under-23 squad.
The GT girls edged out their hinterland opponents 2-1 while the Under-23s held their seniors to a 0-0 draw.