Garnett leads Grove to inaugural East Bank title
Grove’s Captain Domini Garnett receives the winner’s prize and trophy from Assistant Director of Sport, Franklin Wilson in the presence of his winning teammates.
The inaugural edition of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport / East Bank Inter Village Football Tournament ended on Saturday night at the Eccles EE Ground with Grove ending as the only undefeated village with a comfortable 3-0 win over Kuru Kururu to cart off the top prize of one million dollars and the Republic Bank trophy.
The evening and indeed the tournament belonged to the village of Grove which was Captained Domini Garnett who led from the front in every regard to seal another title for the former East Bank Football Association champions.
Garnett netted a double to end the tournament with a total of eight (8) goals, he was also named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. He netted in the 13th and 40th minute to compliment Lloyd Matthews’ 7th minute effort as Kuru Kururu could not counter in any effective way, the Grove backline.
Action between Grove (black) and Kuru Kururu during the final on Saturday evening
Kudos to the Kuru Kururu though, as they represented their village with determination and was rewarded with a prize of $500,000 for their efforts.
Garnett was rewarded for his MVP accolade with $100,000 compliments of Fitness Express whilst also receiving $80,000 as the tournaments highest goal scorer and a voucher worth $25,000 pledged by A & B Variety Shop aka Green Shop of Lot 526 EE Eccles.
The third-place match between Herstelling and Agricola saw the former, on account of a Malcolm Hendricks goal in the 44th minute, seal victory and claim the Bounty Farm Ltd. $250,000 cash prize, Agricola rewarded with $150,000 also sponsored by Bounty Farm Ltd.
Copping the Best Goalkeeper prize of $80,000 was Grove’s Ronel McLean who only concede twice in the five matches his village contested, including four (4) clean sheets.
Grove also copped another individual accolade as Most Promising Player prize went to 19 year-old Shaquan Joseph. He was presented with $25,000 compliments of Quincy ‘Presser’ Ashley, First Vice President of the West Demerara Football Association.
Organiser of the tournament, Sports Extra expressed gratitude to all for their combined efforts which resulted in a successful tournament which attracted twelve villages from the East Bank and the Soesdyke Linden Highway, namely Circuitville, Swan, Kuru Kururu, Timehri, Soesdyke, Friendship, Grove, Kaneville, Mocha, Herstelling and Agricola.
Gratitude was also extended to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Office of the Prime Minister, Ministry of Housing, Bounty Farm Ltd., Fitness Express, Star Rentals, Trophy Stall, NAMILCO and Republic Bank for their support.
Assisting with the presentation of prizes which followed the final were Mrs. Michelle Harinarine (Chairperson Lamaha/Yarrowkabra NDC), Mr. Kevin Ally of Bounty Farm Ltd., and Mr. Balgraj Budwa of the Grove/Diamond NDC.
