Courts and Digicel have demonstrated what can be achieved in football with proper planning and management of resources

Dear Editor,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the corporate business entity – Courts Guyana – for successfully sponsoring yet another Pee Wee Football Competition.  Unlike previous years due to no fault of the sponsors or the organizing committee the competition was done through the primary schools in the Georgetown area.  This turned out to be a blessing in disguise and with improved planning this tournament could eventually be on par at the junior level with the Digicel’s Secondary Schools tournament that is run countrywide.

Congratulations are also in order for the organizing committee – Petra who performed quite an admirable task in ensuring that the competition was successfully managed; while thanks should go to the management and staff of Banks DIH; the Ministry of Education for giving their blessing to the schools to participate; the staff from Davis Memorial Hospital who provided medical services; the junior referees who ensured that the games were all played in a friendly spirit, as many of the kids were not familiar with all of the rules governing the game; the media fraternity which covered the event; and not forgetting the parents and teachers and even a few headmistresses who took time off from their busy Saturday schedules to accompany the students and to perform cheerleading roles.  Also, to those business enterprises which have so far made commitments to outfit those schools which were without gear – a big thanks.

Finally, to the two finalists, Tucville Primary and Marian Academy, who played out of their skins to ensure that we had an enthralling final worth watching, congratulations to both for a job well done.

As I now reflect on the current continuing impasse between the two major football associations in Guyana, it really leaves a bitter taste in one’s mouth. Courts and Digicel have now demonstrated what can be achieved with proper planning and management of resources.  It is the kids who benefit and football is the winner.

In closing I would like to make a public appeal to the Minister of Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, to please assist the residents and community in having their stands repaired at the Tucville Playfield.  The stands are in dire need of repairs; at the moment they present a hazard to both life and limb.  I plead with him to please render some assistance.

Yours faithfully,
Daniel Thomas