The year of 2018 for many fans of the beautiful game, can be described as dramatic for the football fraternity both on and off the field. Below features a timeline of the major highlights of the aforementioned year
January 2018
Botofago was crowned the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA)/GT Beer Football Champion, routing tournament favourite Net-rockers 4-1 in the finale on the 1st at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) ground, Linden.
Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was crowned the inaugural Guyana Football Federation (GFF) ‘Super 16 Year-end Classic’ champion, dismissing Grove Hi-Tech 2-0 on the 1st at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
A 58th minute free-kick conversion from custodian Roncy Caleb, propelled Georgetown (GT) Police to the inaugural GT Beer Berbice 8-a-side Football Championship, defeating Beacons 2-1 on the 5th at the Scott’s School ground, New Amsterdam (NA).
A double from Most Promising Player Seon Grant, propelled Agricola Red Triangle to their second consecutive Ralph Green u11 Football title, overcoming Grove Hi-Tech 2-1 on the 7th at the Grove Community ground.
The 6th edition of the Milo U18 Secondary Schools Football Championship, was officially launched on the 18th at the Beepat’s Headquarters in Dennis Street.
Due to the recent inclement weather, Netherlands based entity Greenfields, the company responsible for the laying of the synthetic turf at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) ‘Training and Development Centre’, has shifted the deadline from the end of the project from January to April.
The East Bank Demerara zone of the Frank Watson Memorial u15 Football League commenced on the 20th, months after the tournament was officially launched by the GFF in March 2017.
The 4th edition of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara zone, was officially launched on the 24th at the Thirst Park Sports Club.
The inaugural Magnum Mash Futsal Championship was officially launched on the 31st at the Windjammer International Hotel and Cuisine, Kitty.
February
Seventeen referees signed a letter on February 2nd 2018 calling for the removal of Stanley Lancaster, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Head of Referees Department, alleging unprofessionalism and incompetence among other issues. Amongst the criticisms levelled against Lancaster in the letter were victimization, withholding of information and a general dereliction of his duties.
The 3rd annual Petra Organization Futsal Tournament was officially launched yesterday at the Top Brandz Distributors Headquarters, Broad Street.
The West Demerara zone of the Frank Watson Memorial u15 Football League commenced on the 3rd, months after the tournament was officially launched by the GFF in March 2017.
History was created as Showstoppers secured the third consecutive Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara zone title, humbling ESPN 3-0 on the 16th at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF), staged a two-day training program for 47 coaches and referees in the Moruca Sub-District of Region #1 on the 17th-18th.
Bent Street was crowned the inaugural Magnum Mash Futsal Champion, defeating Sparta Boss 3-2 on penalty kicks, at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue on the 18th.
GFF President Wayne Forde, participated in the 2nd edition of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Executive Summit in Lagos, Nigeria on the 20th.
The Guyana Beverage Incorporated (GBI) under its Fruta Juice Brand, inked its 20th year of sponsorship with Tucville giant Conquerors FC, during a simple but significant ceremony on the 20th at the Red Cross Headquarters, Eve Leary.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), has entered into a four year Contract of Agreed Objectives (COA) agreement. The contract which was entered on February 20th 2018, was signed by the GFF President Wayne Forde and General Secretary Renella Bourne.
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde on the 22nd, admitted that the entity was aware of the signed letter by 17 referees, demanding the removal of Head of Referees Department Stanley Lancaster.
Newly appointed International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Regional Director Marlon Glean, arrived on local shores on the 23rd. During his visit, Glean met with the President and Executive Committee, visited the GFF’s National Training Centre and participate in the youth development programmes – visited to two GFF-Scotiabank Academy Training Centers (ATCs) and one GFF-Pele Alumni Frank Watson U15 Intra Association Tournament. He also visited a GFF Elite League Match.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) in partnership with the Guyana Beverage Incorporated (GBI), launched GFF/Kool Kidz Grassroots Programme on the 24th at the former’s Section-K Campbellville headquarters.
Months after the launch of the event in March 2017, Beterverwagting (BV)/Triumph defeated Golden Stars 5-0, in the opening match of the East Coast Demerara zone in the Frank Watson Memorial u15 Tournament.
The Berbice leg in the Frank Watson Memorial U15 Tournament, officially commenced on the 25th, months after the launch of the event in March 2017.
March
Guyana has been paired against Barbados, Turks and Caicos Islands, French Guiana and Belize, following the official draw of the 2018-2019 Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) League of Nations qualifiers. The Golden Jaguars will commence their campaign against Barbados in September 2018 at the National Stadium.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on the 13th, appointed Golden Jaguars International Vurlon Mills as a Technical Development Officer (TDO), assigned to the Scotiabank Academy Training Centre (ATC). The attacking midfielder will be responsible for ensuring the national philosophy is instilled in players of the Georgetown ATC.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) kicked-off a four-day D-License programme on the 15th for coaches in Guyana in an effort to build capacity among technical personnel.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on the 20th, shortlisted 21 locally-based players for preparation for impending Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Challenge Series Tournament, scheduled for April, 2017.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the sexual harassment of female referees by match officials and administrators, got off to a slow start on the 25th at the Olympic House, Liliendaal.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) staged its First Quarterly Referees Fitness Test on Saturday 24th at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
April
Sir Leon Lessons was crowned the Milo Secondary School U18 Football Champion, humbling Buxton United 5-1 on the 1st at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) appointed Dr. Ivan Joseph on the 3rd to serve in the immediate capacity of Head Coach for the Senior Women’s Team for the period of one year.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on the 3rd, sanctioned Ann’s Grove United for their no-show in the Elite League on Saturday March 31st against Milerock at the No. #5 ground, Berbice.
Uprising rose to the occasion to clinch the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ East Coast Demerara championship, dismantling Paradise-A 3-0 on the 7th at the Haslington Tarmac.
Following months of uncertainty regarding the direction of the Men’s Senior Program, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has finally advertised for the Head-Coach post, a position recently held by Wayne Dover on an interim basis.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) secured a 30 year lease of the Vryman’s Erven Municipal ground, New Amsterdam on the 10th, with the intention of developing the site as a training facility.
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League champion, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on the 10th was unable to participate in the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield due to financial constraints.
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Trevor Porter, officiated in the Dominican Republic leg of the impending CONCACAF Caribbean Club Shield Tournament scheduled for April 12th-21st.
Pandemonium and fright forced the abandonment of the Petra Organization/Corona Futsal Championship match between Sparta Boss and Bent Street, due several gunshots being discharged inside the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue on the 14th.
The Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Championship, officially commenced on Sunday 14th at the Mackenzie Bus Park Tarmac.
Keith O’Jeer, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Executive Committee Member and Berbice Football Association (GFA) President, was suspended by the federation for inappropriate behavior.
The Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Compliance Status was fully reinstated by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA), paving the way for the restoration of their annual subsidy.
Defending champion Christianburg/Wismar Secondary successfully retained the Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond U18 Football title, defeating New Silvercity 1-0 on the 20th at the Wisburg Secondary School ground.
Guyana’s lone International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) female referee, officiated in the CONCACAF Women’s U17 Championship, scheduled for Nicaragua from the 19th-24th.
The Lady Jaguars ended their CFU Women’s Challenge Series on the 29th on a negative note, losing to hosts Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Trinidad and Tobago. Guyanese finished the event in third place on two points, with draws against Grenada and Suriname respectively.
May
International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) representatives Véron Mosengo-Omba and Marlon Glean, visited Guyana from May 1st-4th to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Uitvlugt Warriors was crowned the inaugural the inaugural Big Yard Auto Sale ‘West Side Super 4’ Knockout Champion, edging fierce rival Eagles FC of Stewartville 1-0 on Saturday at the Vergenoegen Sports Club.
Silver Bullets was crowned the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Linden Champion, dethroning titlist Dave and Celina’s All-Stars 3-1 on the 5th at the Mackenzie Bus Park Tarmac.
Ian Greenwood, Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), participated in a one week FIFA Technical Director Program, hosted at the Hilton Conference Centre, Trinidad and Tobago from the 1st-7th.
The GFF staged its Football Awards Gala on the 11th at the SleepIn Hotel and Casino, with GDF’s Sherwin Caesar and Tiandi Smith of Foxy Ladies winning the Male and Female Player of the Year Awards respectively. Also, Orville Daniels and Jalade Trim copped the Junior Male and Female Player of the Year titles apiece
The inaugural ExxonMobil U14 Boys and Girls Football Championship was officially launched on the 17th at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Quamina Street.
The Lady Jaguars were dumped out of group-E in the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers on the 27th, battling to a scoreless with Barbados in their must win final fixture at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) officially presented and adopted a national insurance policy, when the entity quietly staged its Ordinary Congress on the 28th at the SleepIn International Hotel.
June
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has appointed former Jamaica international and Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Pro-License holder Michael Johnson as the head coach of the men’s national football side on the 4th and has given him performance targets.
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde on the 6th, declared that Guyana will support the joint North American bid from Canada, Mexico and the United States for the 2026 World Cup.
The East Bank Football Association (EBFA) in partnership with Sureia Manufacturing, launched the Juicy Juice U13 Football League on the 7th at the latter’s Industrial Site headquarters in Eccles.
Guyana is participating in the Gazprom International Social Children’s Program, ‘Football for Friendship, which commenced on the 8th at the Spartak Football Academy, Moscow, Russia.
Trafalgar was crowned the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Berbice Champion, mauling Litchfield 4-0 in a West Coast Berbice derby on the 25th at the New Amsterdam (NA) Stelling Tarmac.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially dissolved the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) on the 30th, paving the way for the installation of an Interim Management Committee (IMC).
July
Following Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde’s maiden visit to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from July 6 – 8, the Elite League is expected to benefit significantly from several capacity building partnerships. In the three day trip, Forde met the Presidents of notable teams Vasco da Gama and Botafogo, to discuss several partnerships and initiatives.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on the ninth, appointed the three member committee of Chairman Trevor Williams, Major Shen Fung and Nolan Lancaster, to serve as the Interim Management Committee of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA).
Disconnection Crew was crowned the new Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’, Bartica Champion, edging Goal-Raiders 1-0 on the 15th at the Bartica Community Center Tarmac.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) on the 21st became the first member association of the CONCACAF region in adopt the Domestic Transfer Matching System (DTMS), says FIFA’s DTMS Project Coordinator Semira Jawdat.
Following months of inactivity, the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) under the recently appointed IMC, launched the Stag Beer Revival Cup on the 31st at the SleepIn International Hotel, Brickdam.
August
The Guyana u14 Boys team departed local shores on the 1st for Curacao to compete in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) 2018 Boys’ U14 Challenge Series.
It was an historic night for Georgetown champion Gold is Money on the 4th, as they dismantled fierce rival Sparta Boss 4-0 to clinch the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ National Championship on Sunday.
Guyana ended their CONCACAF Girls U15 Football Championship on a positive note, mauling Curacao 6-0 on the 10th at the IMG Academy, Florida, USA. It was the second win for the Guyanese in four matches, following their 3-2 victory over Bahamas on Thursday. Guyana suffered defeats to St. Lucia and Cayman Islands respectively.
Guyana departed local shores on the 11th for South American giant Brazil for their ‘Train and Play’ squad for the two week trip. The tour which ran from August 12th-26th, witnessed Guyana playing four matches against their Brazilian counterparts.
Sparta Boss once again solidified their status as kings of indoor football, crushing Tiger Bay 7-3 in a lopsided finale to secure the GT-Beer ‘Keep Ya Five Alive’ Futsal Championship on the 11th at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
Despite being launched in March 2017, the Georgetown leg of the Frank Watson Memorial U15 Football League finally commenced, with Santos mauling Beacons 4-0 on the 18th.
Debutants Figgy Green Jags was crowned the Mohammed Enterprise/ExxonMobil Futsal Champion, edging Germans 8-7 on the 18th at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Hard-Court, Linden The Petra Organization in partnership with Kentucky Fried Chicken [KFC], launched the Goodwill U18 Secondary School Football Tournament on the 23rd at the latter’s Vlissingen Road location. The three day tournament runs, from December 16th-23rd and will feature four teams, one of which will be 2017 Trinidad and Tobago South Zone champion Shiva Boys Hindu College.
In what can be considered a national embarrassment, the Golden Jaguar internationals refused to play their final practice match on their Brazilian Tour against Bangu Atletico in protest of unpaid stipends by the Guyana Football Federation [GFF]. This was confirmed on the 24th by GFF President Wayne Forde yesterday during a press conference held at the entity’s Campbellville headquarters.
The Petra Organization officially launched the 3rd Annual Limacol Football Championship on the 24th at the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation [GPC] headquarters.
