The Elite League Promotional Playoff starts on December 10, with the nine victorious teams from the Member Associations’ Leagues clashing for coveted positions in the Elite League Season Six in 2024.
Competitions Director Troy Peters confirmed that preparations for the playoff’s launch are advancing according to plan and emphasised that the tournament serves as a highly competitive platform for senior men’s club players across the country to show their skills.
“Over the past few weeks, preparations have been going smoothly. The playoff provides a competitive platform for senior men’s club players across Guyana to showcase their skills. We are poised to deliver an electrifying year-end programme to thrill players and fans,” Peters shared.
From June to November, the GFF’s nine Member Associations hosted thrilling Senior Men’s Leagues, featuring exciting matches for top clubs to earn their shot at participating in the Elite League Promotional Playoff.
The playoff will ultimately decide promotions and relegations for the upcoming Elite League Season Six, scheduled to commence in February 2024.
Peters explained that an open draw, scheduled for Wednesday, November 22, at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank Demerara, will unveil the preliminary round pathways for the participating teams.
The drawing starts at 6 p.m. and will be witnessed by representatives of the football clubs Beacon (Bartica Football Association), Beacon (Georgetown Football Association),
Buxton Stars (East Coast Demerara Football Association), Dartmouth(Essequibo/Pomeroon Football Association), Herstelling Raiders (East Bank Demerara Football Association), Monnederlust (Berbice Football Association), Slingerz (West Demerara Football Association), Tabatinga (Rupununi Football Association), Winners Connection (Upper Demerara Football Association)
The competing teams will be segmented into three groups of three, engaging in a round-robin format where each team plays against the others within their group.
Following the round-robin phase, the stakes will escalate as the group champions and the top-performing second-place teams from the three groups will advance to the knockout stage.
The semi-final matchups will be drawn randomly from a pot containing the names of the group winners and the best second-place team, intensifying the suspense and drama.
Matches are planned for Saturdays, offering fans across the country an opportunity to witness sensational clashes at Eve Leary, Rosignol Ground, Bartica Community Center, Buxton Ground, Wisburg Secondary School Ground, Tuschen Ground, Anna Regina Multi School Ground, and Wadapna Ground.
Following the final on January 6, the GFF will award a preparation grant of one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) to the club or clubs promoted to the Elite League.
However, Peters noted, “The promotion hinges on the club(s) meeting the GFF/Concacaf Club Licensing prerequisites. We’ve been collaborating with clubs nationwide to ensure their documentation meets the requirements for Elite League qualification.”
GFF President Wayne Forde’s administration has allocated millions of dollars to Member Associations through the Members Financial Assistance Programme (M-FAP) to ensure the continuous progression of club football, which serves as the pathway for senior players to earn selection into the national team programme. (GFF)
