With both the Men’s and Women’s Super-16 Tournaments done and dusted, the respective winners are the happiest bunch as the new year begins. And while there were many aspects of the events that differed, one thing that is certain is that both the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Men and the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Women are looking to better their squads in future.
GPF’s Colette Hope receives her award for best defender
This came to light during separate interviews with the teams’ representatives, following the final games.
GDF’s Sherwin Caesar
On Saturday night, following the Men’s final, Sherwin Caesar of the GDF noted that the team were in a euphoric mood, but still had a clear goal in sight.
Caesar told this publication, “I think it’s wonderful. I’m overwhelmed and my team is enjoying it, it’s a great pleasure that we could actually repeat this win and we’re hoping to get it three time, three time go back at it. We just got to get back, start training again, and work harder for the next tournament coming up.”
When probed about the tough challenge that Western Tigers put forward in the final, Caesar explained that their opponents’ tenacity only made the GDF’s win sweeter.
“What we know is that all victories don’t come sweet, so some victories you have to fight and you have to get the best of what your players can give. And like I said before yesterday (Friday), it’s the willpower, who want it more will win and GDF needed it, so we go and get it,” he explained.
He went on to touch on the future plans for the GDF team, sharing, “Training for the league, hoping that we have a league and we’ll continue training towards that”.
On the other hand, Colette Hope of the GPF Women is hoping to create a winning streak, after clinching the first-ever Women’s Super-16 Championship.
“First of all, I must give God praise and thanks for this victory, thanks for keeping us safe. It’s a very good feeling, I hope it continue every year’ cause we’ve been training for a little while now,” Hope said.
She went on to touch on Sunday night’s final against GT Panthers FC, disclosing: “At first, we start beating up a little on ourselves, but after the second half we went into the dressing room, we get ourselves together, went back to the drawing board and as usual, there is more room for improvement, so we went back and come out successfully.”
Hope was quizzed about the inclusion of several young players in the Police Force team, to which she replied that their contribution was appreciated.
“Their contribution was wonderful for them. As a senior player, I’m so grateful for having them around, teach them as much as I could, also from the Coach and staff and everybody,” the GPF Women’s Captain explained.
Similarly to the Men’s winners, Hope says that the GPF Women are looking to improve themselves and their game for future competition.
“As usual, there is more room for improvement and we’re going to keep doing that. If we have to go back to the drawing board every single day, we’re going to go back to the drawing board,” Hope concluded.
Both Super-16 finals were played over the weekend; GDF beat Western Tigers 5-4 on penalties and the GPF Women thumped GT Panthers 4-2. (Jemima Holmes)
