Vice President of the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA), Gregory Wickham in delivering the feature address to the competing teams in the EDFA leg of the GFF/NAMILCO Flour Power National U-17 on Saturday last, urged the players to strive for excellence in what is anticipated to be a competitive league.
Wickham, deputizing for President Alfred King who was unavoidably absent, told the players that they were afforded a great opportunity to not only represent their team but to ensure their collective efforts transform into the top side, while individual players will be under the radar of Guyana Football Federation appointed scouts as the federation seeks to build a national unit for regional competition, next month.
“Fair Play and Sportsmanship are very important and so I would want to encourage all of us to ensure these are always practiced. There will be a winner in every event and there is always going to be a team that will lose. For those of you who may find yourselves in a losing position, you are to accept that in good faith and let’s be good sportsmen and women.”
Wickham also reminded the players that they are representatives and ambassadors of their respective villages. Commenting on the GFF team, Wickham challenged the players to dream of wearing national colours one day but they must put in the hard work in order to reach such heights.
“So I want to wish you well on behalf of the sponsor NAMILCO, I want to say thanks to them also and we are looking forward to seeing you play very competitive but in an atmosphere of good sportsmanship.”
Ten teams are competing for championship honours including three from the village of Buxton – Buxton Stars, Buxton Youth Developers and Buxton United. The other teams are Plaisance Panthers, Golden Stars, Victoria Kings, Ann’s Grove United, Mahaica Determinators, BV Triumph United and Bachelor’s Adventure/Paradise Sports Club.
The latest match on Sunday produced a 0-0 stalemate between Victoria Kings and Buxton Youth Developers at the Golden Grove ground. On Saturday, Mahaica Determinators beat BV Triumph United 4-0 with the association’s lone Elite League representative, Buxton United romping to a big 8-0 win over Plaisance.
The first goal of the competition was celebrated in fine style by the player to score, Kevon John, with a skillful summersault which drew the applause of his fellow peers and the fans on hand including EDFA VP Wickham. Matches will continue this weekend.
Source: KNEWS by Franklin Wilson