Determined “Multi” seeking to reclaim coveted title

Digicel Schools Football Championships…

BY AKEEM GREENE

Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, commonly called “Multi”, held what some considered to be the most cherished trophy in school football – the Digicel School Championship title – for four consecutive years (2012-2015) in the seven-year existence of the gala tournament.

Their formidable reign all came to an end on July 31, 2016, at the National Stadium, Providence, East Bank Demerara, when Chase Academic Foundation’s Job Caesar scored a stupendous free-kick which returned the coveted title to Georgetown.

However, in the words of Marv Levy, “Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement” and under the guidance of Coach Delon Peters, they are passionate about returning as champions.

“We are anticipating finals again and in order to get there you have to work hard so preparations have been good. We almost have a fresh team we are working with so, it [preparation] has begun a bit earlier than usual”, Peters told Guyana Times Sport.

Despite an overwhelming presence of new recruits, Peters is adamant that the hunger and desire for success is still brewing within the team.

“The hunger is always there, the ones that are still there they want it because they might have missed it since we have some from last year. The ones that have now arrived are gelling with the older ones and they too want to have that feeling of winning.”

He added, “The core is gone but we still have players to help us come out champions such as Omar Brewley, a talented striker and Kevin Bear; one of the best mid-fielders, along with some others.

Meanwhile, responding to the defending champs, captain Jeremy Garrett’s comment about Annai Secondary being more feared than the Lindeners, Peters felt that he knows the full potential and potency his team holds.

The four-time champions are now determined to make a return to the podium

“I know “Multi” and I know what we can do. He [Jeremy Garrett] probably knows what he is saying, we have played them before and won’t say they outplayed us but they were successful in the final last year and also in an exhibition games”.

Head Coach Delon Peters

The successful coach went on to say, “fans can expect us to go and avenge last year and it means we cannot disappoint, we have to go out and represent for the fans, represent for the past players who have been with us”.

Last month they won the Edward “Screw” Richmond Linden Secondary Schools Under-18 tournament after they defeated New Silvercity Secondary 3-1. Though an laudable achievement, Peters felt that being a Digicel Champion is second to none.

“We won a tournament the other day but being a Digicel champion is what most persons are aspiring to become especially the ones that missed it last year cannot let it go and it is catching on with the ones that are coming on”.

Meanwhile, in his overall assessment of the championship, the coach is feels that it gives a lot of exposure to young talents but they there needs to be more focus on developing those talents.

This year the company has partnered with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) which will be offering more technical support.

The school’s first match in the straight knock-out under-18 tournament will be on June 21 against Linden Technical Institute at the Wisburg Ground, Linden.

Close to 160 schools are participating in this year’s championships. At stake is the prospect of gaining top honours and winning one million dollars which will go towards a school project of choice.

The second place finisher will play for $700,000, third $400,000, and fourth $350,000. All money won will go towards a school project of the winner’s choice.

The top regional winners of the straight knock-out tournament will be awarded $100,000 each.

The tournament will last for approximately six weeks, with the finals set for July 30 at the same Leonora venue.