UDFA Youth Ensemble: YMCA U13, Dainty’s Academy U15 emerge winners in Linden

The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA)’s Under-13 team and Dainty’s Academy Under-15 team were, on Saturday last, recognised for their outstanding performances in the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF)/Upper Demerara Football Association’s (UDFA) Youth Ensemble programme, which saw the youngsters embroiled in weeks of avid age- group competition.

The successful teams were presented with their accolades at the Bayrock National Stadium on the Wismar shore in the mining town of Linden.
The two competitions kicked off simultaneously earlier this year on May 16, and concluded on July 25.
A two-round format was used for the two tournaments, and matches were played at two venues, the Bayrock National Stadium and New Silvercity Secondary School ground.
In both competitions, there were four teams which participated, namely, YMCA, Net Rockers Football Club (FC), Fearless FC, and Dainty’s Academy. Over 150 players participated in both age categories with notable team and individual efforts.
YMCA came out as winners of the U13 category with 15 points, and Net Rockers FC were runners-up with eight points.
Dainty’s Academy triumphed in the U15 category with 12 points, while YMCA finished as runners-up with 11 points.
For the Under 13 competition, YMCA’s John Pollard was named the Most Valuable Player, with club mate Eli Allicock as the Best Goalkeeper, while in the U15 competition, the Most Valuable Player was Renaldo Sampson of Dainty’s Academy, with Fearless FC’s Anaida Orgista as the Best Goalkeeper.
The top two teams in each category will now advance to the GFF Ensemble National Playoffs of these two tournaments, which start on Sunday at the GFF’s National Training Centre (NTC) in Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).