Dramatic year for football fraternity

Scenes from the opening CONCACAF Nations League clash between Guyana and Barbados [blue] at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora which initially ended 2-2. However, Guyana was awarded the match after it was deemed that the Barbadians fielded ineligible players.
Scenes from the opening CONCACAF Nations League clash between Guyana and Barbados [blue] at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora which initially ended 2-2. However, Guyana was awarded the match after it was deemed that the Barbadians fielded ineligible players.

Continued from last Thursday

August

The Guyana Football Federation [GFF] and the Guyana Beverage Incorporated, officially signed a two year Memorandum of Understanding [MOU] to roll-out the ‘Fruta Kool Kidz’ National Grassroots Program on the 24th.

The Guyana Football Federation [GFF] officially launched the International Federation of Association Football [FIFA] Refereeing Assistance Programme [RAP] on the 28th at the Critchlow Labour College, Woolford Avenue.

September

Timehri Panthers were crowned the East Bank Football Association [EBFA]/Juicy Juice U13 League champions, holding the rampant Agricola Red Triangle 1-1 on the 3rd at the Timehri ground.

A 78th minute strike from Neil Danns, rescued a vital point for Guyana as their opening CONCACAF Nations League clash with Barbados ended 2-2 on the 6th at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora.

Georgetown and national heavyweight, Sparta Boss secured their first ever Guinness ‘Cage’ Streetball championships, dismissing the youthful Uprising 3-1 on the 7th at the Haslington Market Tarmac. It was a clinical performance to conclude a splendid and exiting tournament as the North East La Penitence unit outclassed Golden Grove for the title that had previously evaded their grasp.

Lady Jaguars International goalkeeper Natalie Nedd secured a football scholarship with American institution Graceland University.

The Petra Organization in partnership with the Guyana Oil Company [GuyOil] and Tradewind Tankers, officially launched their inaugural U18 Secondary Schools Football League on the 13th. The launch was staged at the GuyOil Kitty Service Station. The event which ran from October 6th to December 9th featured 12 teams from Region #3, #4 and #10, and was staged to the tune of $3,520,000.

Golden Jaguars International Kai-McKenzie Lyle signed for the youth team of English Premier League giant Liverpool FC on the 14th.

The 3rd Annual Ralph Green sponsored East Bank Football Association [EBFA] Under-11 League was officially launched at the Timehri Red Ground.

Wayne Dover, former head-coach of the Golden Jaguars Senior squad, was appointed Guyana U20 coach for the CONCACAF Men’s U20 Championship in Florida, USA from November 1st-22nd.

Despite failing to qualify from the CFU Women’s Challenge Series and the CONCACAF Women’s Qualifiers, the Lady Jaguars Senior Squad climbed 35 places to achieve a FIFA ranking of 83rd. This positive movement resulted in the team being ranked within the top eight nations in the CONCACAF region, and among the top four in the CFU sub-confederation.

Fruta Conquerors were crowned the Guyana Football Federation [GFF] Elite League winners, battling to a 1-1 draw with defending champions the Guyana Defence Force [GDF] at the Georgetown Football Club [GFC] ground, Bourda. The Tucville giant secured the championships following a series of results on what was their penultimate fixture of the tournament.

The Petra Organization officially launched the 2018 Courts Pee Wee U11 Football Championship on the 18th at the National Library.

October

The Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association (EPFA) 2018 Senior League commenced on the 7th at the Anna Regina Community Centre Ground.

Following an absence of more than 15 months, the Guyana Football Federation [GFF] in partnership with Ansa McAl under its Always brand, officially launched the National Women’s Football Development League on Friday 11th. The event which is programmed to feature 216 games, was played across the 10 administrative regions from October 27th-March 2019.

The Golden Jaguars secured their first win in the CONCACAF Nations League qualifiers, dismantling lowly Turks and Caicos 8-0 on the 13th at the TCIFA National Academy, Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. It was the second consecutive heavy defeat for Turks and Caicos, a nation of less than 75,000 and the lowest ranked member of FIFA alongside Bahamas at 210th, following their 11-0 mauling to Cuba in the opening match.

The inaugural ‘Bragging Rights’ Beach Football Championship was officially launched on the 17th in the Boardroom of the National Sports Commission [NSC], Homestretch Avenue. The event which took place at the Marriott Beach Front, featured 16 teams from various administrative regions, battling for over $600,000 in prizes.

The 5th edition of the Smalta Girls Pee Wee Primary Schools Football Championship was officially launched on the 19th at the National Library. The event which was played in an initial round-robin format, commenced on November 17th at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue with 16 teams divided into four groups of four.

Leopold Street was crowned the inaugural ‘Bragging Rights’ Beach Football champions, upsetting highly favoured Gold is Money 2-0 on the 21st at the Marriott Beach Front.

Ryan Hackett, Kevin Dundas and Kevin Layne represented Guyana at the Major League Soccer (MLS) Caribbean Combined in Bridgetown, Barbados from October 22nd-25th.

The Petra Organization in collaboration with the Guyana Beverage Incorporated, launched the 2nd Annual Turbo Knockout Football Championship on the 24th at the former’s Diamond Headquarters

Guyana Football Federation [GFF] Director of Competitions Ian Alves and Coach Education Officer Lyndon France, participated in the FIFA Connect Workshop in Bridgetown Barbados from October 25th-26th.

November

The second annual GT-Beer 8-a-side Football Championship was officially launched on the 2nd at the New Amsterdam Town Council Chambers.

St. Pius Primary mauled fierce rival and defending champions West Ruimveldt 4-0 to capture the Courts Pee Wee Football Champions on the 9th at the Ministry of Education ground. It was the second title for the Middle Road-based institution.

Guyana’s disastrous campaign in the CONCACAF U20 Championship ended on the 10th on a historic note, upsetting group winner and undefeated El Salvador 2-0 at the IMG Academy, Florida, USA. Guyana ended the event with a 1-3 record, following losses to Guatemala [0-4], Cayman Islands [2-3] and Curacao [3-4].

Undefeated Eagles FC was crowned the Upper Demerara Football Association 2017/2018 League Champion, battling to a 1-1 stalemate with fellow unbeaten side Net-Rockers on the 18th.

Soesdyke Falcons overcame a one goal deficit to defeat Grove Hi-Tech 3-2 to clinch the East Bank Football Association Year-end Qualifier Tournament on the 18th at the Diamond ground.

Guyana’s attempt to secure their maiden qualification to the CONCACAF Gold Cup suffered a huge setback, going down to host French Guiana 2-1 in the Nations League at the Dr. Edmard Lama Municipal Stadium, Cayenne.

Den Amstel was crowned the inaugural Brian Tiwari Birthday Anniversary Inter-Village Football Champions, making light work of Timehri on the 23rd at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground.

The installation of the artificial turf at the Guyana Football Federation [GFF] National Training Center at the Providence, officially commenced on the 23rd.

The Guyana Football Federation [GFF] received a recommendation to remove Head of Referees Department Stanley Lancaster and Referee Assessor Roy MacArthur from their respective posts, following the submission of the report into the allegations of sexual harassment of female referees.

It was the return of the Kashif and Shanghai Organization, which coordinated the inaugural ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival, following the official launch at the GFF’s Boardroom.

December

Guyana’s hopes of qualifying for their maiden CONCACAF Gold Cup received a timely boost as the regional confederation sanctioned the Barbados FA for fielding ineligible players during the team’s matchup in the Nations League. The two teams played to a 2-2 draw at the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora on September 6th. Following the conclusion of the match, the Golden Jaguars lodged a protest against the Barbadians over the eligibility of England-born duo Hallam Hope and Krystian Pearce.

Aided by a gritty Christianburg/Wismar victory over Lodge Secondary, East Coast Demerara institution Annandale Secondary was crowned the inaugural GuyOil/Tradewind Tankers U18 Secondary School Football Champion on the 9th.

Northern Rangers was crowned the Turbo Knockout Football Champion, upsetting highly favoured Georgetown Football Club [GFC] 2-1 on the 12th at the Ministry of Education ground.

After months of uncertainty, the Guyana Football Federation [GFF] presented the FIFA approved Disciplinary Code to the members of the federation’s Disciplinary Committee.

Alden Marslowe was elected president of the Bartica Football Association [BFA], when the entity staged its electoral congress on Monday 17th.

Emerging giant Timehri Panthers, were crowned the East Bank Football Association [EBFA]/Ralph Green U11 League Champion, dismantling Friendship All-Stars 2-0 on the 22nd at the Diamond Community Centre ground.

Trinidad and Tobago institution Shiva Boys Hindu School, were crowned the inaugural KFC Goodwill Football Champion, squeaking past Christianburg/Wismar 2-1 on the 22nd at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.

Roraima Galacticos were crowned the Inaugural ExxonMobil International Futsal Festival Champions, defeating Caledonia AIA of Trinidad and Tobago 4-1 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.

January 2019

Den Amstel was crowned the Guyana Football Federation [GFF] ‘Stag Beer’ Super-16 Champions, defeating home side Buxton United 2-0 at the Buxton Community Centre ground.

Eagles United clinched their maiden Upper Demerara Football Association [UDFA] ‘GT-Beer’ Championship, downing Net-Rockers 2-1 at the Mackenzie Sports Club [MSC] ground, Linden.