Blackheart/SLFA Football Tournament kicks off this Weekend

All systems are go for the 2019 Blackheart/SLFA Football Tournament following the press launch and tournament draw on Tuesday evening at the Bay Gardens Marina Haven Hotel. The tag line this year is “Uniting Communities Through Football”.

Following the opening prayer, Master of Ceremonies Shannon Labourne introduced various officials including Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estephane; President of the St Lucia Football Association Inc. (SLFA) Lyndon Cooper and his General Secretary Victor Reid; CEO of Blackheart, David Christopher; and sponsors associated with Flow St. Lucia, Turbo King (Windward & Leeward Brewery) and St. Lucia Distillers.

Tennyson Glasgow, better known as The Analyst, provided a preview of this year’s tournament, being the 17th edition. The winners last year were Vieux Fort South who made history by winning the tournament in three consecutive years.

Said Glasgow: “This time around seems to be more interesting because the tournament, under the auspices of the St Lucia Football Association, has taken a different format where every affiliate is going to be involved. In years gone by we had what we called qualifiers and some teams would not qualify for the tournament proper. This year, again the mandate of the SLFA is to ensure all affiliates get into playing football.”

He went on to say: “Last year’s two finalists, Vieux Fort South and Laborie, get a bye in the first round and will join the competition in the second round. So basically you have 16 teams added on that will dwindle down to eight; eight plus two will make it 10. Within that 10 they are going to compete and will come down to five. They will play a round robin within the five teams and the top four from the five teams will move on to semi-finals.”

After acknowledging the sponsors and media, Christopher said: “The tournament took a different turn this year because, first of all, we “got married”. We were engaged to the SLFA but we got married now. We are working together to reach the mandate of the SLFA which is the governing body for football in Saint Lucia.”

He mentioned that the SLFA, when having a tournament, has a mandate with FIFA to stage at least 90 games. With that in mind, Christopher said: “What we did this year is incorporate Blackheart into the SLFA National Lottery Island Cup and make it one family.”

In a rather lengthy address, Cooper focused his attention on the structure of football in Saint Lucia and emphasized that the SLFA needs to have 90 games in every competition in order to maintain its development programmes. He spoke of changes in the coming year, saying: “We may just decide, at the end of October, to announce a new format for district football; that you may see a division based on the principles of relegation and promotion.”

The president complimented the boys’ Under-15 football team but was not complimentary when it came to senior football. “The year 2019 is going to be, as part of the district competition and Blackheart, the turning point for senior football,” said Cooper. “We cannot continue on the myth of investing substantially in the development of senior football and the continuous reward is at the same pace as previous years.”

Before ending his lengthy speech, Cooper touched on the establishment of a school of excellence, Saint Lucia qualifying in one of the age groups for the World Cup and the construction of additional playing fields. Minister Estephane was pleased with the direction in which the SLFA is headed and said: “Mr President [Lyndon Cooper] is a very good listener. I think Mr President and the SLFA are interested in moving the sport in the right direction and so they have incorporated a lot of the plans that we are looking forward to them changing.”

The minister spoke about the economic activity derived from football and government’s willingness to partner with SLFA Inc to provide the necessary facilities in communities.

Following formal proceedings, the official tournament draw was conducted. The first round matches are: Saturday September 14, Mon Repos v. Dennery, 6:00 pm; Desruisseaux v. Anse La Raye, 8:00 pm. Sunday September 15, South Castries v. Mabouya Valley, 6:00 pm; Micoud v. Gros Islet, 8:00 pm. Wednesday September 18, Central Castries v.Roseau Valley, 6:00 pm; Vieux Fort North v. La Clery, 8:00 pm. Thursday September 19, Marchand v. Babonneau, 6:00 pm; Canaries v. Soufriere, 8;00 pm.

All games will take place at the Philip Marcellin Grounds in Vieux Fort.