The Bartica Football Association (BFA) will be hosting its general elections today at the Bartica Community Centre, in accordance with Article 27 of the Constitution of the BFA.
Marslowe and the BFA were able to run three leagues in different categories
These elections would see BFA President Alden Marslowe and his committee seeking another term in office. In an exclusive interview with Marslowe, he was asked what he thinks of his prospects on seeking another term in office, and he said, “The present Executive Committee of the BFA, with my leadership, started functioning in January 2019. That year, we managed to run three leagues in different categories: senior, under-17 and under-15, which is an accomplishment not realised at Bartica for many years prior.
“Along with the actual playing of the game, we managed to help the clubs to organise and maintain proper structure, and also to add to their membership by the promotion of youth tournaments. Today, most of the talents discovered at the youth level (are) already representing their clubs and the association in the senior matches. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 global pandemic robbed us of the two following years, and so our activities were minimal during 2020 and 2021.”
He noted that in terms of having a high point in his leadership, while it is not easy to single out one, some events come to mind: such as when the under-13 boys reached the semifinals of a national tournament, and drew that match against Georgetown. Marslowe also made mention of watching the players mature, such as the under-15 team in 2019, and the match skills against Elite League team Western Tigers in the 2021 GFF-Kashif & Shanghai Super-16 Tournament.
“Like rediscovering a great crop of female players at Bartica, who display great promise for the future. Like realising our own Academy Training Centre, which caters to teaching the game from grassroots to under-17; and also seeing our Technical Director, Coach Curtis, being recognised to be elected Vice-President of the National Coaches Association, and also called to be a part of the management of a national youth team which is expected to compete soon in Europe,” he posited.
As it relates to the prospect of being re-elected to the position of President of the BFA, he declared himself one hundred percent confident, as the member clubs are also confident in him and his administration.
The BFA boss relayed that when he got into office, he picked up a dormant association, and, against many challenges, transformed it into a very active one, an association that can be deemed one of the most active and visible associations in the country.
He explained that there are a lot of things that still need correcting now that the nod has been given for a return to play. Therefore, he posited that football at Bartica would revert to what football at Bartica used to be many years ago.
Marslowe divulged that the Executive Committee can lead the way in that direction, hence there is neither turning back nor moving sideways nor sitting down.
As it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marslowe has said, “Two years of the COVID-19 pandemic was pure agony for the sport and those who love it. Imagine, just when the long-awaited rehabilitation of the Community Centre Ground was completed, COVID shut us down. For me, leading in a situation like that is awkward, because it is hardest to lead when there is nowhere to go.”
Marslowe has showered much praise on the President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, and his staff. He explained that Forde’s vision and the programmes being implemented are all nothing short of ground-breaking for the sport in Guyana. He reiterated that for the time he has been leader in the Bartica jurisdiction, he and the BFA have enjoyed tremendous support from the GFF in many forms: financial, material, capacity-building, and in opportunity to serve at the national level, among other things.
Alden Marslowe, the BFA boss, has said, “At this time, we are collaborating to launch the official return to play with a series of mini leagues, which will culminate into national tournaments in the summer. Also, to mention plans for coaches’ education, leadership training, expansion of our Academy Training Centre, and the addition of more clubs to the association. All of a sudden, we are once again excited about the future.”
