Senior Women’s Football is set to return next weekend, when the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)- Guyana National Women’s Football Association (GNWFA) Women’s Developmental league will reconvene after some months.
The tournament will see the national playoffs being kicked off on Saturday, February 25, 2023 at several venues, and action is set to culminate on April 1, 2023 at a venue to be disclosed.
At a simple event on Wednesday morning, renowned sporting apparel store MVP Sports was announced as the primary sponsor for this stage of the tournament.
MVP Sports’ Proprietor Ian Ramdeo, at his store’s Giftland Mall location, shared that he is especially keen on assisting with women’s sport this year, hence his support for this event.
GNWFA’s President, Andrea Johnson
“We’ve had discussions with the GFF over the past few months, and this year MVP Sports is looking to focus our attention more on assisting where we can with the development of women’s sports, and it’s great for us to be here,” the MVP Sports owner shared.
Ramdeo added, “We have been a supporter of the GFF, football and sports in general over the years, and hopefully, this year, we can continue to do so in a bigger way and a different way.”
GNWFA President Andrea Johnson shared some details on the playoff stage of the tournament, teasing that it will be an exciting one.
Johnson related, “A total of 12 teams will compete over the coming weeks to determine a national champion. We believe this playoff format will bring an exciting conclusion to what has been a very tough tournament.
“It goes without saying that the GFF Women’s Football Development programme is making tremendous strides, both locally and internationally,” she added.
While commending MVP Sports for this generosity, Johnson made a call for more support as the GFF explores an extended women’s calendar this year. She explained, “The GFF’s 2023 national football calendar reflects a significant increase in female competitions, as compared with any previous year in our football history. However, for us to fully implement the 2023 season, we need the Government of Guyana and corporate Guyana to follow the example of MVP Sports, who is in fact a small company but yet making a huge investment in sports.”
Game day 1 will see the ladies of Bartica All Stars taking on Potaro Strikers in the mining town from 20:0hrs, while Milerock FC and Coomacka would clash at the Wisburg Ground, starting at 15:00hrs. the next game day will be on March 4, 2023, when Essequibo go head-to- head with Foxy Ladies from 15:00hrs, while Pakuri Jaguars and NA United lock horns from 14:00hrs in St. Cuthbert’s Mission (Pakuri).
Last year, the Women’s Development League was launched, and commenced with support from UEFA assist and the Danish Football Union. At that time, the tournament was part-funded with EUR 35,000 from the DBU, via the UEFA Assist programme, providing materials and apparel to 37 clubs around the country. (Jemima Holmes)
