The Pele Alumni Corporation, a non- profit North American charity of former players and executives of the club, in recognition of 1st Pele Football Club President, Frank Watson, have organised the Frank Watson Senior and Junior football tournament, which will commence on February 22.
The senior tournament has been sponsored by Dr. Colin Watson – an original Pele F.C. player and younger brother of Frank Watson. The tournament will see a senior along with an Under-14 and Under-16 segment.
Frank Watson
The youths will open the action on February 22 at the Tucville Ground with eight matches starting from 9:00am featuring Grove Hi Tech, Beacon, Western Tigers, Eagles, Conquerors, Black Pearl, Riddim Squad and Den Amstel in the Under-14 segment, while Grove Hi Tech, GFC, Eagles, Renaissance, Conquerors, Den Amstel, Pele and Riddim Squad will battle in the Under-16 department. The respective winners advance to the semis and respective finals. The finals are set for Wednesday February 26 at the GFC ground from 3:00pm.
Meanwhile, the senior 7-a-side tournament is set for the Den Amstel and GFC grounds starting Monday February 24 and concludes on Wednesday 26.
Sara Lodge, Wortmanville, Wales, North Sophia, Bagotville, South Sophia, Crane, Goed Fortuin, Pouderoyen, Mocha, Stewartville, North East La Penitence, Uitvlugt, Meadow Brook, Den Amstel and Grove are the teams contesting the senior tournament.
The seniors will receive awards ranging from 1st place -$100,000, 2nd place -$50,000 and 3rd place -$30,000.
All participating teams will be given balls, trophies for first place and runner-up in both senior and junior tournaments, medals for each player in first place and runner-up teams, trophy for each MVP’s at each level, trophy for each outstanding goalkeeper and trophy for most outstanding defender and for the ‘golden boot’ player.
The Youth Under-14 and 16 competition will see the outstanding performers receiving: Vouchers for school uniforms, school supplies or text books, Lap Top Computer – 2 and Apple I-Phones – 2.
Admission to the tournament is free.
The aim of the organisors is to, apart from promoting football and remembering the former President, Frank Watson, play their role in youth development.
They stated in a release that they aim to award prizes to foster continuing education among youths in Guyana. The guiding principles of the Alumni general purposes and activities are to empower children in Guyana to help them overcome their abject poverty by building their confidence, self-esteem, and ambition through the power of sports. Provide educational opportunities for youth soccer players (boys and girls) who are in need of non-cash support as they pursue their academic endeavors by assisting them in securing University scholarships at Alumni Universities.
Provide classes, seminars and workshops concerning sports and its application. Organize, hold and conduct meetings, discussions and forums on contemporary issues concerning sports and its link with continuing education. Foster, promote and increase access to the sport and Academic Scholarship. Solicit, collect and raise money and to expend such funds in the furtherance of the goals and activities of the organization. Aid, assist, cooperate, co-sponsor and engage in concerted actions with private, educational and governmental organizations and associations in Guyana on all issues and matters concerning youth sports.
Frank Watson, the former Pele F.C. President, died at age twenty three in a tragic aircraft crash in which he was the co-pilot, on December 3rd 1973.
A lover of soccer and very good youth player with Thomas United F.C., however, his studies did not permit him to pursue his dream to become a ‘national’ player at the senior level. His love for the game never waned and after returning as an airline pilot he threw all of his time, energy and even money into Pele F.C.; a club that has evolved and been around for over 40 years.