Dear Editor,
On Thursday last the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) concluded its PEE WEE Under 11 Tournament at the Banks DIH ground. As a parent there are a number of suggestions and comments that I would like to share with both the sponsors and the organisers of the tournament.
1. The stipulated age for the competition required that the players be 11 years old and under, however, after interacting and several investigations it was revealed that several players from different clubs were over age. I heard comments from several persons that the practice of fielding over-age players for tournaments was the norm. I would suggest that prior to the commencement of the tournament all coaches be allowed to view the birth certificates of the participating players.
2. It is often trumpeted that football should be nurtured from the earliest age, but yet when such tournaments are held, either the first or second-placed teams receive the bulk of the incentives. I beg to differ on these practices as several clubs often struggle to get donations. I suggest that the corporate sponsors of these tournaments ensure that each club receives some token, either in the form of balls, cones or a water pitcher. It would have been great to see the chief organiser of the tournament, Marlon Cole, meeting each club individually and making such a small gesture and offering words of encouragement.
3. And lastly, in Guyana football is a ‘poor youths’ pastime; simple checks would reveal that many a talented youth lives in these depressed communities and they simply cannot afford the game’s equipment. I think that all football associations (GFF/GFA) need to work with those coaches who volunteer their time and often times financial resources in working with junior players. A very simple action plan could be drafted and implemented; all it requires is a little cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Daniel Thomas
Parent
