National football league reopens

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) will soon be focusing its attention on the local front.

Following this weekend’s return World Cup Qualifier against Mexico, and next Wednesday’s away match in St. Kitts, the new National League should get going. {{more}}

This League, born out of the National Club Championships held earlier this year, will see for the first time a National Premiership, and a First Division.

The Premiership consists of nine teams, which will play the full League system – home and away.

The First Division comprises eleven teams, who will however, meet each other once.

Originally intended to accommodate twenty-eight teams, the reduced participation resulted from some teams opting to play in other leagues.

National Club Champion, Universal Mufflers’ Samba heads the Premiership. Also seeking to be named inaugural winner are Prospect United, St. Vincent Motors System 3, Buccament Bay Warriors, NEMWIL Hope International, Hotspurs, Rose Place United, Stingers, and the National Under-20.

Chelsea, Rocksdale, Parkside Rollers, Cowdrey Village, English Spurs, Texeira Road, TRAC, Police, Sion Hill, Munich F.C. and BESCO Pastures battle for supremacy in the First Division. Preparations for the start of this League, a new era in football here, are at an advanced stage. The SVGFF, within the past week, engaged in discussions to secure the use of playing fields across the state. These fields earmarked are Brighton, Arnos Vale II, Sion Hill, Buccament, Campden Park and Victoria Park.

But some teams have registered their objection to Victoria Park, granted its condition.

The SVGFF will be forced to get this facility to acceptable levels, as the venue, with its lighting, can host multiple matches daily, as well as provide the custodians with gate receipts.

The League is expected to run into 2005.

Once again, the SVG Over 35’s have been mandated to organise the League.