20/20 Football at Victoria

The Guinness National Inter League Competition and the National Lotteries Authority Marriaqua Football leagues are the latest to get going.

The Inter league version ushered in the much anticipated return of football to the refurbished Victoria Park.

An innovative 20/20 elimination competition among most of the teams in the three divisions, last Saturday, kicked off the proceedings.{{more}}

The excitement generated at the park, was an appetizer for the main course, as Calliaqua, Kingstown and Barrouallie walked away with bragging rights in the women’s Under-17 and senior divisions respectively.

But fans had their hopes quickly deflated as Chairman of the National Lotteries Authority (NLA) Murray Bullock forcefully stated at the opening ceremony that the park was not ready for competitive action.

And, Bullock’s assessment proved correct as there was evidence of loose sand on the surface on the field.

President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) St Clair Leacock admitted that he played “hard ball” with the NLA in getting the competition started, hoping that further negotiations would have firmed up things.

Leacock disclosed last Wednesday that the SVGFF and the NLA came to an agreement to schedule matches only on weekends for the next three weeks, to allow restorative work during weekdays.

He anticipates the resumption of optimum usage after the three weeks.

When the senior competition began in earnest last Sunday, Brighton and Stubbbs played to a 2-2 draw, while South Leeward beat Calliaqua 4-2.

While the senior competition of the inter-league was put on hold, the Under-17 segment went on uninterrupted at the Campden Park Playing Field.

In addition to these two venues, the SVGFF has secured the use of the Clive Tannis Playing Field in Bequia to host the competition.

But there is no uncertainty in the Marriaqua Valley, as Sunday’s colourful opening set the pace for the rest of the tournament.

A 3-3 tie between defending premier division champion Cane End and National Commercial Bank Richland Park Pride and Joy gave the large crowd much to feast on.

A record twenty-four teams are participating in this year’s tournament. Eight teams are registered in the Premier Division, with a similar number stacked in the First Division and six in the Under-17.

Cane End won all three divisions last year.