Wilson, NDC Chair meet with teams ahead of East Bank Inter-Village football

Declaring it a good meeting, Sports Extra’s Franklin Wilson, organiser of the upcoming East Bank Inter-Village Football Competition, met with representatives of the invited teams, during a simple ceremony that was held at the Eccles/Ramsburg BB ground.

Wilson, himself was a former top administrator of the sport, met the gathering, which included Chairman (ag) of the Eccles/Ramsburg NDC Ramesh Persaud, to discuss the staging of the tournament and to ventilate all pertinent information related to teams’ eligibility and expectations.

According to the organiser, among the teams represented at the occasion were Agricola, Grove, Herstelling, Farm, Circuitville, Samantha Point/ Kaneville, Mocha and Timehri.

Several teams were excused for their absence including Kuru Kururu, Soesdyke and Swan, who all provided acceptable reasons for their no-show.

The NDC Chairman, in his remarks, applauded the organiser for the initiative, adding that it was indeed timely and pointed to the benefits that will be derived during the staging of the tournament.

“I can already see the benefits of such a tournament, which will afford young players the opportunity to play and showcase their skills and at the same time profit from the correct guidance in an organised setting,” Persaud pointed out.

Wilson, in his response, assured the chairman that Sports Extra will render assistance in the development of the young players.

He even disclosed that the Eccles/Ramsburg facility is high on the radar for the official opening ceremony, which is slated for mid-March.

He further highlighted that the meeting was called to commence registration of the invited teams, the rules that will govern the tournament and the disclosure of the prize monies that will be given out to the winners and outstanding individual performances.

Wilson also took the time to underscore the need for teams to allow all registered players equitable playing time, while reminding that there will be a zero-tolerance stance for any show of indiscipline.

The whole aim of the competition is to kick start the resuscitation of the sport on the East Bank of Demerara and Highway corridors, which according to him has been in a dormant state for some time.

A total of G$3million in prize monies will be up for grabs with the first prize set at G$1million, while second, third and fourth prizes are G$500,000, G$250,000 and G$150,000 respectively, along with individual accolades for Best Goalkeeper, Most Valuable Player and Highest Goalscorer.

Sixteen teams have been invited to battle for top honours.