“One Guyana” President’s Cup: Bartica Mayor, BFA President commend Reg. 7 for semi-final qualification

The historic “One Guyana” President’s Cup Football championship which continues to make an indelible mark in the football landscape is now down to the semi-finals, which would be contested at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora, WCD this evening.
Set to confront each other for a place in the final are New GPC Ferrol Demerara Mahaica Region 4 vs Mahaica Berbice Region 5, and Caribbean Airlines Essequibo Islands-West Demerara Region 3 vs Cuyuni-Mazaruni Region 7.
Cuyuni-Mazaruni have rallied to record their third win of four matches to advance to the semi-finals of this competition, after suffering a heavy 1-6 loss to Demerara- Mahaica in their first match of the round-robin phase of the Regional Playoffs.
Thereafter, the Cuyuni-Mazaruni lads have notched up three consecutive wins, respective 1-0 triumphs over East Berbice-Corentyne Region 6, and an upset against GTT Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, before their final group win over Potaro Siparuni Region 8 on Christmas Night 3-0 at the Bartica Community Centre Ground.
Scoring all three of their goals was Andrew ‘Somersault’ Simmons, who performed his trademark somersault after scoring each goal, much to the delight and cheers of the home fans, which numbered well over eight hundred; it was the largest attendance at any venue to date.
It was the perfect Christmas gift for the people of the Upper and Lower Mazaruni communities, the victory ensuring the Region’s passage into the final four, a territory they had neither seen nor experienced in many decades.
It was a performance witnessed by His Worship, Mayor Gifford Marshall; Deputy Mayor Arita Embleton; Bartica FA Secretary, Regional Chairman Kenneth Williams; Mr. Ewrin Ward, Prime Ministerial Representative in Region 7; former Regional Chairman Gordon Bradford; Bartica Football Association President Alden Marslow and his executive committee, and Former Guyana and FIFA Referee, now Instructor, Diane Ferreira-James, among others.
Mayor Marshall, speaking after the Region’s performance, expressed delight at their achievement in this historical competition, which is being played for the first time.
“As we celebrate this season of joy, peace, and goodwill, we have much to be thankful for and grateful for. Tonight we are thankful for the victory of the Region 7 team. It was a well-deserved victory, and I commend the management team and the hundreds of spectators that turned up at the venue to support the game.
“Further, I am grateful to His Excellency President Alli, and Football President Wayne Forde, for initiating this tournament. This timely investment in football, I believe, will go a far way in addressing many of the social ills we face daily, while at the same time positively impacting the sport in general.
“As a stakeholder, I reaffirm my office’s commitment and support for the good of the game and the success of our youths. I wish all the teams well, and trust that this tournament will be the foundation of greater things to come,” Mayor Marshall has said.
Also showering praise on the team was Bartica Football Association President Alden Marslow. “The entire region is extremely proud of the team’s performance in the game on Christmas Night, and its overall position in the tournament. We went into this match with high confidence, and it showed in the way the guys played and produced three goals.
“Going forward to the semi-finals, we know that we would need to lift the intensity against a highly talented team. Ours is a young squad, but the guys have adapted well to this tournament, and have consolidated their strategies. All (they) need now is to maintain that composure and give themselves an outside chance to reach the final…and possibly win it all.”
Region 7 will face off with Region 3 in tonight’s second semi-final, the first will feature Region 4 battling Region 5 from 18:00hrs.