Kingston’s Grassroots Soccer Academy will kick off its second annual under 13 Little League Soccer Youth Championship (LLSYC) today at the Banks DIH Thirst Park ground.
Matches will get underway at 9am sharp.
President and the chief organizer of the championships, US-based Junior Forrester, said that this year’s tournament will be bigger and better since more teams are involved in the tournament with some 12 teams participating this year as opposed to nine teams which took part last year.
“I am very happy about the response I have been getting towards the tournament,” said Forrester.
“It seems as though a lot of emphasis is being placed on football in Guyana and that is why we (Grassroots Soccer Academy) are trying to expand football tournaments around the country so that it could meet youths all across the country,” Forrester added.
He said that that he had received tremendous support from Banks DIH, Digicel, Guinness Bar, Humphries Bakery, Capital News, Trophy Stall, Toucan Industries, LG Fashions, Donna’s Shop and Proper Attire Store. Forrester, who arrived in the country last Friday, said he was excited about providing an outlet for the young football talent to showcase their skills once again.
“Most of the time we have national players coming out of these same little tournaments,” he opined.
The winning team will walk away with the championship trophy and gold medals while the runners-up will receive a trophy and silver medals and the third placed side will get bronze Medals and a trophy.
All the trophies and medals were provided by Banks DIH, Digicel and Trophy Stall. Forrester mentioned that other individual prizes will be given to the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, the best goalkeeper, the best defender and the top goal-scorer. He also said that defending champions Santos and runners-up Pele will once again be the top teams among the contenders.
Other teams include Conquerors, Campton, GFC, Western Tigers and last year’s third placed finisher and hosts Grassroots Soccer Academy.
While Forrester feels that the event has the potential to expand and reach more areas he is emphasising his commitment to making the annual tournament a continued success.
The coordinator for this year’s football tournament is Dennis ‘Chow’ Hunte. (Yonalla Dalrymple)
