Slingerz Football Club returns
Slingerz football club has officially been relaunched and is set to face off against Uitvlugt Warriors on Wednesday evening.
Slingerz Football Club was first formed in 2013 and for three years accomplished impressive feats in club football, even rising to the helm of the sport in Guyana when they dethroned Alpha United to take over as National Champions.
The club played unbeaten until losing 1-0 to the Guyana Defense Force in the NAMILCO Tournament in March 2014. In their short time, the Slingerz scored 183 goals and only conceded 29.
Club President Javid Ali noted they are eager to return for some time. Head Coach Vurlon Mills, who played for the club in the past, spoke on the values to which he attributed the club’s success.
“And I understand what is required of Slingerz to be the best team in Guyana. We train hard consistently, and I always say to my players that Slingerz success wasn’t dependent on the quality of players that we had. It’s depending on the work we did every morning when we go out to work. The passion of the players that we had.”
Mills named 19 players for the squad, though he stated that three slots remain open in the team, featuring a blend of experience and youth. Experienced player Kevin Dundas has been named captain of the squad.
Star players in the line-up include Quincy Adams, who is currently on defense for the Guyana National Team, the Golden Jaguars.
Shakeem Welcome, who captained Guyana’s U16 squad in the first appearance by a Guyanese football team in a European tournament, is also part of the squad alongside Matthew Martin, who also played for Guyana in Europe.
The Club President also voiced his opinion on actions needed to bring the team back to the helm of competitive football in Guyana, which is their ultimate goal.
Ali said, “I think the future of football in Guyana requires the GFF and each club to make its maximum contribution. This relaunch is a testimony to our commitment to doing our part.”
“We see the need for competition in development and preparation of Guyana’s national team as it allows for the professional players to always be ready for international games.”
Additionally, he called for all players to receive a monthly income that is enough to allow them to dedicate more of their time to football.
Ali announced that many players attend school in Georgetown, so for the current moment, training in the capital city is more convenient.
However, he aims to reclaim the team’s home base – the Vergenoegen Community Centre Ground.
He noted that the field has fallen into disarray from lack of use over the recent years but is in the process of being rehabilitated. The team also occasionally makes use of the Leonora Facility.
The team is set to play against the Uitvlugt Warriors in the West Demerara Football Association league at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on the evening of June 15.
Two players on the team, Shakeem Welcome and Matthew Martin, have also gained full scholarships to the Chase Academy through Head Master Henry Chase, who is known for his passion for developing youth in sports.
Ali hinted that similar opportunities for players in academics and part-time jobs would arise soon as he underscored the club’s commitment to driving community development and long-term opportunities for the players through the club.
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