Women footballers across the country are being provided with a
platform to play and develop their skills through the Always National
Women’s Development League.
This league is a collaboration among the Guyana Football Federation
(GFF), ANSA McAL and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.
The tournament will feature 49 teams and see a total of 216 matches
being played countrywide, with teams from every administrative region.
Matches will be played in Berbice, Linden, Bartica, Essequibo, Moruca,
Mahdia and the Rupununi. It will run from October 27 to March 2019.
President of the GFF, Wayne Forde said it is a fact that the Women’s
National Team has achieved a lot more success on the international
stage when compared to the men. Forde noted that all women must be
given an equal opportunity to play the sport as this is a mandate of
the GFF.
“This league will create a social messaging platform that I hope will
allow us to speak to the issues that affect girls and women, but more
importantly, open up new and fresh dialogue that will lead to
solutions.”
The president said that $10.5M is being plugged into the tournament
and that due to the remoteness of some regions, if a meaningful
investment was not made, it would be impossible for some to
participate.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs and Patron
of women’s football in Guyana, Valerie Garrido-Lowe commended the
initiative. She said that together with the GFF, the aim is to develop
women’s football in the hinterland regions.
She pointed out that with the exception of Mahdia, women’s football in
Region Eight had been left behind. However, now that the tournament is
being kicked off everyone will have the opportunity to showcase their
talent.
Senior National Player, Lakeisha Pearson, who will also be
participating in the tournament, expressed her appreciation to the GFF
and others involved for giving women the same opportunity as the men
to participate in a major local tournament.
“When we speak about female football we hear development, so it is
comforting to see the progress women’s football has made in Guyana and
the length that we go to ensure that there is continued development.
The players are extremely grateful for the opportunity to showcase and
develop their talent in the wonderful sport. So, we look forward to a
great league and we welcome this with open arms” Pearson stated.
Head of the Business Unit of ANSA McAL, Padma Kunjbeharry said that
the company is always happy to be part of the development of sports in
Guyana. Acknowledging that International Day of the Girl Child was
observed on Thursday, Kunjbeharry said the launching comes at an
appropriate time when women are being increasingly recognised.
