Bartica FA Leagues: Rising Stars, Potaro Strike win on opening day
The Bartica Football League on Saturday last boldly launched its 2019 season with three leagues in different age categories at the Bartica Secondary School ground.
In attendance at the opening ceremony, president of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Wayne Forde, gave the assurance of his full support for the development of the game at Bartica.
President of the GFF, Wayne Ford, addressing the teams at the beginning of the tournament
He lauded the association’s efforts at putting the leagues together and setting the stage for capacity development among its clubs.
Bartica Mayor, Gifford Marshall, also delivered a message aimed at continuing the partnership with football stakeholders in the interest of youth and community development.
The launching marked the start of the GFF-BFA Senior League, the GFF-NAMILCO Under-17 League and the GFF-Pele Alumni “Frank Watson” Under-15 League. One female exhibition game was also played.
On the opening day, the female category got the ball rolling as Black Panthers duked it out with Falmouth. However, the match was a one-sided affair that ended 3-1 in favour of the Panthers.
In the under-15 category, the mighty Potaro Strikers wasted no time in asserting their dominance, as they defeated Beacons 3-1.
In the following match in the under-17 category, Lazio and Mil Ballers played to a stalemate that ended 1-1.
In the seniors’ category, Rivers View managed to cause an upset by defeating Rising Stars by one goal, winning the match 2-1.
Sixteen-year-old Cleavon Murray of Rising Stars FC scored the first goal of the Senior League 2019.
