Tabatinga FC crowned GBTI Lethem U-13 football champs

GBTI’s Lethem Branch recently hosted its annual football competition and Tabatinga Football Club emerged victorious over Massara Strikers at the St. Ignatius Sports Ground.

The Under-13 tournament emerged out of discussions with the Rupununi Football Association that saw the need for the younger level players to be involved in such a tournament.

The event attracted eight male teams from Central Lethem and other outlying areas.  After round-robin play, the top two teams from each group advanced to the semi-finals.

Group A teams were Gladiators Football Club of Culvert City, Lethem; Massara Strikers of North Rupununi; Titans Football Club of South Rupununi and Snatchers Football club of Lethem, while Group B comprised Tabatinga Football Club; Rush Saints Football Club of Saint Ignatius Village; Sandcreek Football Club of South Central Rupununi and Shiriri Football Club of South Central Rupununi.

Tabatinga and Massara battled for the title, but it was Tabatinga’s attacking skills that gave them a break through after an even first half game played under floodlights.

Kamai Marco of Sand Creek Football Club was awarded Most Valuable Player, while Samuel Andre of Tabatinga Football Club was recognised as the Best Goal Keeper.

President of the Rupununi Football Association, Ryan Farias, and Sharon King, GBTI Lethem Branch Manager, applauded GBTI’s commitment to meeting the needs of not just its customers, but also the communities it serves.

Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, graced the event with his presence and made some brief and encouraging remarks before declaring the tournament open.

The Lethem Tournament is the signature community activity for GBTI’s Lethem Branch and has been receiving positive response from the community and the local sports fraternity, given its focus on developing youth football in the Region Nine communities.