EC$10,000 worth of sporting gear to be distributed to athletes

The 2015 Barrouallie Football League opened to a large crowd at the Keartons Playing Field last Sunday.

With 10 of the 16 registered teams participating in the march past, Youngster FC was adjudged the best dressed team on parade.{{more}}

The opening ceremony heard addresses from president of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) Venold Coombs; vice-president of the Barrouallie Sports Association Tresslon Mapp; parliamentary representative for Central Leeward Maxwell Charles; former representative Sir Louis Straker and former New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate Norell Hull.

Straker, who has re-entered the political ring and will again be contesting the Central Leeward seat for the ruling Unity Labour Party, said this year, he donated the uniforms for the under-13 players and by August 23, he would be receiving EC$10,000 worth of sporting gear to be distributed in Layou, Barrouallie and Keartons. He also promised to refurbish the Keartons hard court by resurfacing the court, repainting and renewing the seats.

Charles, the sponsor of the under-13 competition, said 2015 would be the last time he is sponsoring the competition, as going forward, he will not have the resources to maintain sponsorship. Charles, a minister in the ULP government, has been replaced by Straker.

In his address, the SVGFF president advised the players to be positive thinkers. He commended the Barrouallie Sports Association for their hard work in ensuring that sports are kept alive in Barrouallie and congratulated St Vincent and the Grenadines under-15 team on their victory in St Martin.

Mapp, who is the vice-president of the Barrouallie Sports Association, advised the players to display their talents throughout the competition. He thanked persons for coming out and showing their support to the teams.

Hull, the sponsor of the under-17 competition, wished all the teams the best.

The feature game saw last year’s national community league winner Youngster FC and Predators play to a nil-nil draw. Youngsters FC won last year’s senior league competition, as well as the knockout competition.(JF)