By Avenash Ramzan
Member Associations (MA’s) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) who are down to compete in the inaugural National Milling Company (Namilco) Under-17 Thunderbolt Flour Power tournament were given a major boost, compliments of the sponsor.
Chief Executive Officer of Namilco, Bert Sukhai; the company’s Financial Controller, Fitzroy McLoed, and Marketing Consultant, Affeeze Khan, journeyed to the GFF office to meet with representatives of the associations and present them with financial assistance and gear.
Each association has been assured of $300,000, to be paid in two installments.
Addressing the representatives, Sukhai said the tournament is geared to create opportunities for the country’s budding talents. He further revealed that the investment by the company is a significant one.
“Our contribution to this would be over a period of five years. It is a substantial amount of money we would be spending over those five years- probably in excess of $30 to $35 million, catering for inflation during that period,” Sukhai mentioned.
The CEO insinuated that the partnership will result in a win-win situation for both the company and the sport of football.
“We think the objective of having a league is worth the investment that we’re making, and I’m sure the company will also benefit from the sort of publicity you guys [the media] would be giving us over time,” Sukhai posited.
Sukhai wants the players to view themselves as ambassadors of the game, as well as the Namilco, both on and off the field.
GFF president Wayne Forde has high expectations of the tournament, noting that the Federation is also working to have similar competitions at the Under-13, Under-15 and Under-19 levels.
“This is the development football that Guyana has been lacking for many, many years, and I’m very pleased to hear Mr Sukhai saying that the conduct of the tournament is very important, because the players will be there as ambassadors for the National Milling Company, the Guyana Football Federation and the fraternity. So too would be the administrators of the tournament,” Forde explained.
He continued, “I want to implore on the administrators to do every within their powers to ensure that fair play prevails; that the rules are followed; [and] we don’t have players that are outside of the age category that have been authorised to play in this tournament.”
The tournament will officially kick off on later this month.
(lead photo caption: Representatives of some of the associations display their cheques and the gear in the presence of GFF and Namilco officials – Avenash Ramzan photo)
