Following the anticipation built up among football fans over the past two weeks as they witnessed two teams fight for and secure their places in the upcoming season of the Elite League; Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde has confirmed that Season Six of the League will kick off on Sunday, February 25 at the Federation’s National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
Newly-promoted clubs Monedderlust Football Club and Slingerz FC, who recently fought for their spots, will join the top eight teams from last year’s Fifth Edition of the top-flight League.
Gearing up for an action-packed Season Six, the GFF has held comprehensive discussions with representatives from all 10 men’s Elite Clubs on proposed fixtures and potential amendments to the rules governing Season Six.
President Forde noted, “As anticipation mounts for the upcoming season, the collaborative efforts between the GFF and these prominent clubs underscore our commitment to ensuring all participating clubs are knowledgeable of the rules and regulations and contribute to the execution of the tournament by sharing their concerns and ideas.”
The Elite League will return next month with two teams who are no strangers to the League – Slingerz FC and Monedderlust FC
Season Six will feature defending champions Guyana Defence Force (GDF); Western Tigers; Guyana Police Force (GPF); Fruta Conquerors; Den Amstel; Buxton United; Ann’s Grove United; Santos; Monedderlust and Slingerz.
The last pair of clubs earned their promotion earlier this month through the GFF Elite League Promotion Playoff.
Similarly to Season Five, the champions of the upcoming season will be awarded a prize of $2,000,000, while the second, third, and fourth-place finishers will receive respective prizes of $1,200,000, $800,000, and $500,000.
Once again in preparation for the tournament, each participating team will receive a participation grant of $500,000 prior to the tournament’s commencement.
GFF Technical Director Bryan Joseph further shared that Club administrators would participate in several workshops focused on the club licensing requirements for participation in the league, media management and interaction, match-day management, laws of the game and technical related matters.
This initiative is designed to guarantee the seamless execution of matches during the upcoming season.
“We have built up our capacity over the past months and are prepared to implement measures to enhance the operations of the League. The series of workshops are designed to bring alignment to best practices in the Region, including the automation of the competition management systems and match-day structures. This is another step towards the professionalising of the League and its operations.”
Flashback! A look at last year’s edition of the Elite League
Joseph added, “Season Six is going to be massive. The partnership with FIFA+ and the availability of a quality surface at the National Training Centre, complete with international standard lighting, will surely enhance the quality of the experience for our top competition. I am super excited to experience the product and its potential.”
Season Six will span six months and 90 games at venues across the coastland. Match days, predominantly featuring double-headers, will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Clubs will engage in a two-round format with the club accumulating the most points crowned as the champions, securing an automatic qualifying spot at the CONCACAF/Caribbean Shield Championships.
The GFF Elite League, recognised as the apex of senior men’s competition in the nation, not only represents a prestigious stage for athletes, but also serves as a critical pathway for talent scouting by the national team, as well as regional and international clubs.
