GFF/Stag Super 16 football kicks off Friday

“All systems are in place for an exciting GFF-Stag Super 16 year-end tournament beginning tomorrow (December 14) at the GFC Ground, Bourda, when we’ll see two newcomers take on two seasoned campaigners to stamp their mark on the tournament,” said Ian Alves, Competitions Director of the Guyana Football Federation.

This remark was made on the eve of what promises to be two weeks of intense football, beginning with a double-header featuring Buxton United and Rivers View and GDF FC and Essequibo Football Association at 18:00h and 20:00h respectively.

First-timers Bartica representative, Rivers View, said they see this as an opportunity to showcase the talent of the young players who comprise their squad, according to Head Coach Kenneth Edward.

“We’re happy to be a part of the year-end competition. Itis a great way to showcase our talent and we are optimistic of progressing past the first round. We have been preparing for about a month now. Our team consists of a number of youth players and one of the players to watch is Handel Norton who has been a national player for the U-17 and U-20 national team some years ago.”

Buxton United have other plans as their intention is to remain competitive and progress to the final.

Head Coach Herbert McPherson said: “We have been actively training for the past month and we believe in ourselves to give a good representation throughout the tournament. This is a knockout tournament so the players have this in mind as they face Rivers View. While this team is a first-timer, no team is to be taken lightly and I know they will come prepared for a good game.”

Meanwhile, the feature match promises to be keenly contested as the GDF FC comes up against another first-timer, an Essequibo Coast/Pomeroon Football Association Select Team. The Essequibians are upbeat about their participation as the team has been in training and look to make a mark.

“There is a lot of talent available in the Essequibo/Pomeroon FA where football is the dominant sport. We have selected a competitive team and look to not only give a spirited display, but also provide a ground for more exposure for our players to a high-quality team such as the GDF FC. Win or lose tomorrow, we hope to win in the long-term,” according to Essequibo Coast /Pomeroon FA’s Technical Director, Travis Bowen.

The tournament winner will walk away with two million dollars, a trophy and equipment, the second-placed team will receive one million, trophy and equipment, third place will get five hundred thousand dollars, trophy and equipment, while the fourth-placed team will receive a trophy and equipment.

The tournament will conclude with the grand final on January 1 at a venue to be announced. Admission to all matches is as follows: $500 (to end of the quarter-final stage), $1,000 (semi-finals) and $1,500 for the final.