Senior men’s football league kicks off in Berbice

A new era for football in Berbice has officially begun with the launch of the Senior Men’s Football League, backed by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

The competition, which signals the return of structured, high-level senior football to the region after a long absence, was inaugurated at the All Saints Ground in New Amsterdam on Saturday.

Seven teams will compete in the inaugural season for a total prize fund of G$1 million.

Key figures, including National Sports Commission Chairman Kashif Muhammad and Assistant Director of Sport Franklin Wilson, attended the launch.

Speaking at the launch, Berbice Football Association (BFA) Vice President Phillip Carrington expressed gratitude to the football community, highlighting that Berbice had often been “neglected” in national football development before this government intervention.

Franklin Wilson acknowledged the league’s modest start but stressed its potential for growth.

“What we are starting here today is just the beginning of a great journey for football,” Wilson commented, confirming that planning for the league had been underway for over eight months.

The league’s prize structure is set: the winners will receive $500,000, the runners-up $300,000, and third and fourth place $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.

Wilson offered assurance regarding timely payments, a historic pain point for local players.

“In previous tournaments, you have played and are still to receive your cash prizes. But not this time,” Wilson promised the players.

“On the final day of the league, the winners, the top four teams, will be receiving their cash. All the bills are going to be taken care of.”

The government’s support, which extends to the East Demerara and Georgetown Senior Men’s Leagues, is not limited to the senior game.

The Ministry also plans to implement development structures from the Under-11 to Under-20 levels to create a pipeline feeding into the national teams.

Wilson concluded by urging fair play as the competition got underway: “Play fair, respect the referees, and may the best team emerge as champions.”