Sports at grass-root level is important for development –Granger

…as President opens Caribbean Children’s Charity Shield Soccer Classic

By Akeem Greene

President David Granger, speaking at the launch of the Caribbean Children’s Charity Shield Soccer Classic on Wednesday at the Guyana Defence Force Ground (GDF), emphasise the importance of having sport mechanisms at the grass-root level, since it can be used as a catalyst for the development of Guyana and the Caribbean.

The President said, “I compare the Caribbean to a tree, at the top of tree you have the Caribbean heads of government from all the states of Caricom; then there is the trunk, the Caribbean Single Market and Economy which holds us together; but right at the bottom you have the grass-root and the tree cannot survive and grow without its grass-roots”.

Granger further stated, “I commend the Foundation for [strengthening regional integration] through its social work activism in grass-root communities. The Foundation is fostering the spirit of social solidarity among the region’s young people. It is promoting regionalism from the bottom up, it is working at community levels to build greater self-esteem and self-worth, particularly among the youth, and that is why we are all here this morning. This tournament has become a bridge among the three states,”

Over 500 children from Trinidad, Barbados and Guyana are partaking in the tournament, with participants from as far as Parishara Village, Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo (Region Nine).

Chairman of the Foundation, Hamilton Lashley, said that the organisation is delighted to be hosting the tournament in Guyana, even as the country is in its golden jubilee year of Independence. He noted that Guyanese and even Caribbean nationals can expect more coming out of the organisation in the days to come.

“We are delighted to be here in Guyana. We are thankful for the hospitality. This tri-nation relationship that we have developed certainly will continue,” he said.

President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, said that the organisation welcomes the initiative since it is in keeping with its goals.

“We at the Guyana Football Federation and the Executive Committee believe that this is the perfect opportunity to further our youth development programme. As you may have seen over the past couple of months, there have been tremendous emphasis on youth development football,” he said.

The Tournament, which features teams from the under-15 and under-17 age group, kicked-off after the ceremonial march pass, with some of the local sides recording victories.

In the under-17 matches, Fruta Conquerors defeated Trinidad side, Creek 2-0; Black Water lost to Morvant 6-1; Cosmos defeated Pele 4-1; Gall Hill downed Alpha 2-0 and Paradise edged Santos 2-1.

For the under-15 matches, Victoria Kings went down to Gall Hill 2-0; Empire trounced Compton 4-0; Gairy John Training Academy edged Paradise 1-0; Elcock hammered Grove Hi Tech 5-2; Paradise obliterated Guyanese side RP Warriors 15-0; while Morvant won via forfeited Hampstead.

Matches continue today at the same venue and will be played on a round-robin basis, after which the top two sides clash in the finals on Monday.