Guyana Football Federation President Wayne Forde on Saturday announced that Kentucky Fried Chicken Guyana (KFC Guyana) is now the title sponsor of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Season Five, which kicks off on Sunday, May 14, at the Police Sports Club ground, Eve Leary, Georgetown.
The company acquired the naming rights of the league for $10 million dollars, which will go towards the smooth flow of the premier local Men’s football competition.
The KFC Elite League will feature 10 of Guyana’s best football clubs, namely reigning champions Fruta Conquerors Football Club, Guyana Police Force Football Club, Guyana Defence Force Football Club, Den Amstel Football Club, Victoria Kings Football Club, Buxton United Sports Club, Milerock Football Club, Ann’s Grove Football Club, Guyana Police Force Football Club and Santos Football Club.
At a ceremony on Saturday at the Movie Towne Parking Lot, Rupert Craig Highway, Georgetown, President Forde said KFC Guyana has answered President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s recent appeal to corporate Guyana to support the advancement of football.
“The partnership that we have brokered with KFC can be captured in a post that President Dr. Irfaan Ali made about four days ago where he appealed to corporate Guyana to work with the football fraternity to help grow and develop the game. Both the President and I have shared publicly our long-term vision for football and some of the goals that we have set for ourselves. KFC has essentially answered that call,” Forde shared.
The KFC Elite League is a key part of President Forde’s strategic plan to grow the football audience in Guyana and create a culture of professional football, while giving players a competitive platform to showcase their talent.
He thanked KFC for their continued commitment to the GFF’s football vision of developing and showcasing local talent through high level training programmes and competitions.
“KFC has been a long-standing partner of the GFF and to see them come on board and support this very important competition is something that I have every reason to believe the entire fraternity is more than grateful for. We are giving our best players a chance to play consistently at the highest level available locally,” President Forde added.
More than four million dollars will be awarded to clubs and players. Clubs will play several rounds of football with the two clubs scoring the most points advancing to the two-million dollars championship match.
KFC Marketing Manager Pamella Manasseh congratulated President Forde on yet another momentous achievement in football and noted that her company is proud to be associated with the Elite League.
“With football currently being the most popular sport in Guyana, we are elated to be a part of this momentous occasion and to be a part of the excitement we are sure it will generate. KFC Guyana vows our continued support as a partner of GFF. We are on board with GFF’s vision for the Elite League and its objectives to create a national culture of professional football and football management in Guyana,” Manasseh shared.
She added: “We have been partnering with the Guyana Football Federation for some time now. We have always been in support of athletes in any arena. We are just inclined to help youths and further their education in whatever they may choose.”
Manasseh also urged players to “give 100 percent” throughout the tournament.
In a double-header, current champion Fruta Conquerors Football Club will kick off Season Five in a much anticipated match against Guyana Police Force Football Club from 18:00h.
The second match will see Western Tigers Football Club coming up against Milerock Football Club from 20:00h.
In a first for football in Guyana, all League matches will be broadcast on the FIFA+ platform, giving players tremendous global exposure. The champions will automatically qualify for the Concacaf Caribbean Shield Championship.
