The jingle introducing the 2011 Revival Veterans Tournament begins with “We Ain’t Finished Yet, Veterans do it Best.” While It may stand for a number of things, these vets look to perform at their best on the football field.
The press launch for the competition took place Tuesday evening at Sandals Grande, while the official launch takes place on Sunday at 1pm at the Beausejour Cricket Ground (BCG).
Head table guests at the press launch included Minister of Sports, Lenard Montoute; Permanent Secretary in the Department of Youth and Sports, Donovan Williams; President of the St Lucia Football Association (SLFA), Lyndon Cooper; Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Alvin Malaccan; Director Blackheart Productions, David “Shakes” Christopher. The MC was Claudius Francis.
While addressing the players whose glory days are behind them, Montoute jokingly told them: “A second chance perhaps to distinguish yourself as a veteran star, but I do not think you have much hope of making it to the World Cup. But at least there is effort on your part and if nothing else, it will show courage, determination and dedication on your part to be on the field.”
The minister went on to say: “I feel this tournament will go a long way in augmenting our sports development in St Lucia. Bringing back our former players to the playing field, will once again rekindle their love for sports in general, so that these individuals will not only participate in the veterans tournament but we shall see them return to other capacities like administrators, officials and even merely sports fans.”
Following speeches from sponsors, team representatives who displayed their team’s jerseys were introduced.
Here are 16 teams taking part. Group A: Behind the College All Stars, Nyabinghi, Micoud, Lancers FC. Group B: VSADC, Gros Islet, Laborie, Congorians. Group C: Dennery, Vieux Fort, Babonneau, Courts Spartans. Group D: Caricom Masters, Soufriere, Toughest/Ti Rocher, Shamrock.
All teams are required to be at the BCG by 12 noon for a prompt start for the march pass at Sunday’s launch. Following the march pass, there will be a short opening ceremony with addresses by tournament organizers, main sponsors and Minister Montoute who will officially declare the tournament open and take the first kickoff.
After the ceremony five matches will be played. At 2pm Nyah and VSADC Under-18 teams face each other. After that Spartans take on Shamrock followed by Caricom Masters against Gros Islet in a two 40 minute veteran encounter. Vieux Fort and VSADC veterans then play a 60 minute game. The feature match has veteran’s football champions Behind the College All-stars against 2011 Blackheart football champions
Anse La Raye in an 80 minute affair.
There is no entry fee to the BCG on Sunday. The day’s proceedings are being used to launch the 2011 Revival Veterans Football Tournament and build the hype for the first fixture matches taking place October 15.
