BARTICA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION SEEKING CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP

ꟷ Much still in store for football in Bartica, says BFA President Alden Marslowe

By Timothy Jaikarran

Bartica Football Association (BFA) President Alden Marslowe has said that, despite the presence of the COVID-19 pandemic that has put a halt to all sporting disciplines in Guyana, the BFA is aiming to complete its goals for 2020, as there is a definite role for football in the community with the recent installation of lights at the Bartica Community Centre ground.

Under Marslowe’s leadership, the Bartica community has seen substantial increase in football activities, and the emergence of new talent among the ranks of the BFA in 2019.
The goal of the BFA had been to kick-start football activities in February 2020, but this was not possible because of the tension that gripped the nation following the 2020 General and Regional Elections, the results of which have not yet been declared; and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Speaking with Guyana Times Sport recently, Marslowe disclosed: “Our league was due to start in March, after the elections. In terms of what we still hope to accomplish, well, the dust has settled; well, we have access to the community ground now, with lights; so, we are expecting to play more football than last year.

“We have to run off our leagues; get the grassroots (programmes) up and running; and also promote as many matches against visiting teams as we could, to give maximum exposure to our players.”
He noted that, with the new facility in place, he is expecting much improved performances from the various clubs in the region.
“Well, with more playing time, everything should improve. Once we are up and running again, we have to look seriously at structure, and correct the functioning of clubs. The (Bartica) Football Association will promote capacity-building programmes to help (clubs) to function better on and off the field,” Marslowe said.
Marslowe is of the firm view that football in Bartica needs the input of corporate partners to be successful. He said the response of the corporate community has been really slow, but the BFA is looking forward to partnering with any business to boost the game in Bartica.
“For sponsors out there, who would be interested in coming on board, I’d like to say that the sport of football the world over is the best vehicle for business promotion, because the game attracts persons of every walk of live. Football is now a household sport because every player eventually takes it into the home, and that is where the benefit rests for our partners,” he declared.