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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday September 18, 2015
Stag Elite League more than just a league – Shabazz By Rawle Toney TONIGHT, eight clubs will embark on a journey to revolutionise the way football is looked at in Guyana when the Stag Elite League gets on the way at the Leonora Track & Field and Football Facility. Alpha United, Slingerz FC, Monedderlust, Fruta Conquerors, Pele, Georgetown Football Cub (GFC), Buxton United and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) are the eight teams vying to cash-in on the league’s $15M prize. “Outside of facilities, this (Stag Elite League) is the most important step for Guyana’s football, especially as it relates to the National Team,” said head coach of Guyana’s senior nation men’s football team,
National men’s coach Jamaal Shabazz Jamaal Shabazz. Shabazz’s Golden Jaguars were sent packing by St
Vincent and the Grenadines from the FIFA 2016 World Cup Qualifiers and many are
of the view that the Trinidadian head coach should look at rebuilding the nation’s beloved football team. Bolton Wanderers’ midfield player Neil Danns, along with Matthew Briggs and several other overseas-based players turned out for the Golden Jaguars during their lead-up to and at the World Cup Qualifiers, sparking a call by many, after the team were knocked out of the competition, to have a strong locally based National Team. However, Shabazz while addressing the media recently, pointed out that the Stag Elite League now provides “an opportunity for the local players to do just what he foreign-based players are doing; training in the week, competing week in, week out and I think this is so
important” The always candid Shabazz further added that support for the league by fans “would demonstrate to us and the whole nation, the people who really, really love football, because it starts with the clubs and it starts with the local competition and it filters out to the National team”. “It’s important that we recognise this moment because everybody wants to see the final product, but this is the beginning of what they want to see, this is where we build the passion of the sport in the country,” said Shabazz. Shabazz, who also owns Trinidad and Tobago ProLeague side Caledonia AIA,
pointed that from a social standpoint, the Stag Elite League will generate economic activity and “all the spinoff of hosting an event will come with this league and I think we are going to have some exciting days the players are going to be competing at a high level and the excitement that brings.” The competition opens tonight with a double-header, starting from 18:00hrs with two of Guyana’s most storied clubs Pele and GFC going head-to-head. After the opening encounter, the gala opening ceremony will take place, followed by the clash between local foot-balling giants Alpha United and Slingerz FC.
Ten gyms for Blackmoore Cameron urges support for celebrity game for Dominica relief Intermediate
KINGSTON, Jamaica (CMC) – West Indies Cricket Board president Dave Cameron has urged support for the Twenty20 celebrity charity match which will be played in Barbados later this month, to raise funds for the Dominica Emergency Relief Fund. Legendary former West Indies batsman Brian Lara, ex-Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke along with Jamaican sprint star Yohan Blake, have all confirmed their participation in the game scheduled for Kensington Oval on September 26. The game is collaboration between the WICB and the University of the West Indies and will see a WICB President’s Invitational XI oppose the UWI Vice-Chancellor’s Invitational XI. “We are grateful for the support of the UWI and the celebrities that have graciously agreed to take part. Using
Brian Lara (left) and fellow Trinidadian Dwight Yorke ... have been confirmed for the Charity game. the power and contribution of cricket, so that the recovery efforts under way in Dominica can continue and life can steadily be restored to normalcy in the island, is very crucial,” Cameron said yesterday. “We hope West Indies fans will get behind the effort and help raise money for the Dominica Emergen-
cy Relief Fund to help the people and families who have lost their homes and, in some instances, their livelihoods.” Tropical Storm Erika ripped through Dominica last month, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and resulting in the deaths of over 30 people. Infrastructural damage in the tiny Caribbean nation has been estimated at US$227 million.
Recovery efforts have already begun with several Caribbean countries already pledging funds to help with rebuilding. Cameron said it was important that the WICB should play its role in contributing to Dominica’s relief efforts. “Like most people in the Caribbean, we’ve all seen the devastating effect of these weather systems on Dominica, and we got together and tried to determine what we could do to assist,” said Cameron. “West Indies cricket has brought the people of the Caribbean together like nothing else, so the WICB and our players are committed to doing our part to help in the face of disaster, as has occurred in Dominica.” The WICB will donate all proceeds from the game to the Dominica Emergency Relief Fund.
THE first-ever Lennox Blackmoore National Intermediate boxing tournament will punch off tomorrow evening at the East Ruimveldt Community Centre ground (California Square), with a number of gyms from across the country battling for honours. Over 65 pugilists representing 10 gyms would be involved in the two-night affair, which is expected to see defending champions Guyana Prison Service (Republican Gym) have a ding-dong tussle with the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force. The Republicans roughed up the Guyana Defence Force last year, pushing the once dominant army into second place. Also listed to participate are: Linden’s Carryl Boxing Gym and Pocket Rocket Gym, Rose Hall Jammers of Berbice, Essequibo Boxing Gym, Forgotten Youth Foundation, Harpy Eagles and New Opportunity Corps. NOC is being represented by a five-member team of boxers and arrived in Georgetown yesterday morning. The team later made a courtesy call on GABA president Steve Ninvalle. The tournament is named after Guyana’s first Commonwealth champion. Lennox Blackmoore won the Commonwealth lightweight title in October 1977.
Sprint king Bolt aids ailing alma mata
K I N G S TO N , J a m a i c a (CMC) – Sprint icon Usain Bolt has donated JAM$1.3 million (US$10 960) along with equipment, to bolster the ailing sports programme at his alma mater, William Knibb Memorial High. The Jamaica Gleaner newspaper said Bolt visited the school, based in the town of Falmouth on Jamaica’s north coast, in a response to
a plea from authorities there, after they ran into difficulties in funding the sports programme. Bolt, who still resides in Jamaica, said he had an obligation to help the school whenever there was a need. “William Knibb played an integral role in the athlete and the man that I am today,” the multiple-time World and Olympic sprint
champion said. “So anytime they call or if there is anything I can do to give back, I’m more than willing.” In keeping with his dynamic personality, Bolt posed for photos with students and also spent time talking with teaching staff. Bolt, who attended William Knibb between 1998 and 2003, shot to global
prominence during the 2008 Beijing Olympics when he won both the 100 and 200 metres in record time. He repeated the feat the following year at the Berlin World Championships, setting new records in both events. His 9.58 seconds in the 100 metres and 19.19 in the 200m, remain World records.
President of GABA Steve Ninvalle (right) poses with the team from New Opportunity Corps.