After an extended impasse of over two years, Football matches hosted by the local Football Association on Nevis are set to return to the ET Willet Park.
PRO for the Nevis Football Association, Delroy ‘RAS IROY’ Pinney on Wednesday 14th August, revealed that his Association will be hosting a tournament starting on Sunday 25th August.
Pinney pointed out that the complications that created the impasse in the first place, have been virtually ironed out: The major constitutional concerns have been rectified and the newly revised constitution for the Association has already been ratified. The previous Association which was directly involved in the stalemate has been changed and a new Association is now in place.
He is optimistic that once the upcoming tournament gets going that the Football fever will indeed return to the island, even though he admitted that his Association is currently cash-strapped.
He however praised the efforts of those entities which organized tournaments in an effort to keep the game alive in the interim. These include the CCC Bath United Club with its recent BASIL CHALLENGER Cup; By: Curtis Morton
The Stones United Club with its EYE SPY MEMORIAL KNOCKOUT and the Nevis Sports Department with its variety of tournaments and training programs. He also commended RAYBO Smith for his efforts as a member of the SKNFA and the fact that he continues to look out for the best interest of Nevis.
According to Pinney, there will be an opening ceremony on Sunday 25th August at the ET Willet Park preceded by a parade of teams. This will be followed by a knockout tournament between the teams and an exhibition game between a St.Kitts team and a Nevis team is also being planned.
The LEGEND’S CUP will commence the following Thursday -29th August and this tournament is expected to conclude towards the end of September.
The regular local tournament will commence in early October and will go right down to next year March, with a break in December for the Christmas season.
Pinney is promising that prices for the matches will be affordable for spectators and vendors alike and expects a high intensity level of play between the teams.
He confirmed that up to this point, some eight teams have already paid up their registration fees and other teams are indicating an interest in participating.