Timehri Panthers sink Mocha Champs as EBFA leg commences

GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League…

A brace each from Ishmael Pulsaram, Captain Shannon Samnauth and Tyrel Khan piloted Timehri Panthers to a comfortable 7-0 win over Mocha Champs when the East Bank Demerara Football Association’s (EBDFA’s) leg of the 2019 edition of the GFF/NAMILCO Thunderbolt Flour Power U-17 League kicked off in style yesterday at the GFF Facility at Providence, EBD.

Following a brief opening ceremony and official opening remarks from Finance Director Fitzroy McLeod of the National Milling Company of Guyana (NAMILCO), Timehri Panthers wasted little time in registering their first win.
Pulsaram netted the 1st goal in the 2nd minute of play, and from then the game belonged to the Panthers. Pulsaram was again on target in the 37th minute, whereas Captain Samnauth had rocked the nets in the 9th and 24th minutes, with Khan emulating him in the 58th and 63rd minutes.
The other goal came off the boot of Joseph De Freitas in the 17th minute.
Agricola was slated to play Swan in the other scheduled match, but failed to show up, and Swan was accorded three points without breaking a sweat.
The top two teams from this tournament would earn the right to contest the National Playoffs, which would also include participation of the top two clubs from each of the nine (9) regional member associations.
In remarks addressed to the players, McLeod challenged them to make use of the opportunities being afforded them, and to work towards becoming the best they can be.
“I encourage you to train hard (and to) follow the directions and directives of your coaches and the adults around you, not only in terms of your play, but in terms of your conduct, your deportment, and the life skills you need to be successful in whatever endeavour you pursue,” McLeod declared.
The football enthusiast identified sports as a good training ground to prepare them for both a sporting career and for academic excellence. He pointed out that the level of application that’s needed on the field, as well as the respect that is due to those who guide them, are tools that will serve them well in life.
“We encourage you to apply all that you learn here, because there are opportunities not just in playing football, but in other facets of life that you are being prepared for through this means. NAMILCO is investing in this activity because we see the potential in young people, but we want to see more than just potential,” he said.
He posited that it’s one thing to claim having potential, but another thing to see that potential developed and gradually coming in to bear fruit.
“We don’t want to hear, 20 years from now, that you had so much potential; we want to hear about your accomplishments. So, day in day out, as you go through the process, apply yourself and develop.
“NAMILCO is here to make sure you have this opportunity, this outlet, to test your development and to further develop; and we provide nutrition, which we expect you to make sure you consume as part of that development process. Your Wheat-up, your Thunderbolt flour, these are crucial ingredients in terms of your nutrition, to make sure that you are strong,” he advised.
Players were also encouraged to have fun while competing, and to display sportsmanship as a key pillar of their play.
Grove Hi Tech are the defending champions. Clubs participating in the march past were: Grove Hi Tech, Timehri Panthers, Mocha Champs, Diamond United, Herstelling Raiders, Friendship All Stars, Swan and Somatta Point Kaneville.