Pele FC Alumni soccer games celebrating youth education: Wins for Buxton Stars-U18, St. Cuthbert’s Females, Santos Vets, Pele Seniors
Members of the Pele FC senior team with members of the Pele FC Alumni following the presentation of trophy and medals
The Youth Education Celebration activity of the Pele FC Alumni Corporation 2023 commenced successfully on Thursday evening last at the Georgetown Football Club Ground when the USA-based body, along with its local chapter, Pele Football Club, hosted a series of soccer matches under the theme ‘Celebrating Youth Education’.
It’s under this focus that the Alumni comes to these shores yearly to conduct what’s now become a tradition and much-anticipated event: The Youth Education Seminar, which will attract some 130 youths this year. This three-day activity commences on Tuesday, April 11, at the Police Sports Club at Eve Leary in Kingston, Georgetown.
Captain of the Female Team of the St. Cuthbert’s Mission receiving the winning trophy from Pele’s Dr. Colin Watson in the presence of her teammates
Thursday’s focus was all on a series of goodwill matches featuring a number of sister clubs from within and outside of Georgetown. The action commenced with Buxton Stars Under-18 taking on their counterparts from Pele FC. The visiting youths triumphed 4-1 on account of a brace from Antwone Layne and one each from Swade Edwards and Osafo Browne. This was after Pele had first scored, compliments of Shawn Murray.
In the female clash between Santos and St. Cuthbert’s Mission, after falling behind when Santos broke the deadlock, St Cuthbert’s eventually found the Santos rhythm, and were unstoppable thereafter in marching to a comfortable 6-1 triumph.
Fiona Benjamin blasted a hat trick, the only one in the four matches played. Teammate Britney Poonsammy hammered in a double, and the other goal was scored by Amelia Bangatt.
The veterans’ clash between Santos and Pele saw a number of former national players rolling back the years, including Omali Nassey, Terrence ‘Old Head’ Lewis, Sheik Kamal, Gregory ‘Jackie Chan’ Richardson, Travis Grant, Solomon Austin, National cricketer Christopher Barnwell, Justin Bentick, and Rawle ‘Overseas’ Jones for Pele.
The Santos line-up included Jermaine Fraser, Lennox Charles and Dwayne Ally, among others; and it was the vets in all white who triumphed by a 4-2 margin in the end.
In the final match of the evening, a senior clash between Pele and Black Pearl ended in a 1-0 victory for the host, thanks to Under-18 Captain Matthew Layne’s strike.
All the teams were presented with trophies, while each player also received a medal.
A number of former national and other Pele players who have come home for the programme were on hand to witness the matches. They have all expressed satisfaction with the rollout of the programme to date.
Those players, as well as the locally-based members, will be involved in a social event (meet-and-greet) to be held at the Herdmanston Lodge next Friday, April 14.
