Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Keith Glasgow had glowing praise for President of the Nevis Football Association, Mr. George BRIGO Meade and his executive body for ensuring that local Football action returned to the ET Willet park after an absence of some tow and a half years.
Glasgow was the featured speaker at the opening ceremony of the local Football league, held at the ET Willet Park on Sunday 25th August.
Glasgow also urged the players to be disciplined and to stay away from illegal substances and to excel at the sport and to maintain a level of sportsmanship, while being competitive.
He was quick to point out that the Nevis Island Administration has continued to support the development of the game on the island and noted that his Ministry recently assisted one young Footballer in acquiring training in Canada and is in the process of sending another for a stint in the UK, after they were identified by visiting scouts.
Earlier in the ceremony, the invocation was delivered by Pastor Salome James who prior to delivering the prayer, did not mince words as she gave the players a pep talk based on the lack of discipline she saw displayed in terms of their late arrival in the majority to the function which was set to commence at 5pm but did not actually commence until 5:40 p.m.
She stressed on four D’s:
DILIGENCE
DISCIPLINE
DETERMINATION
DEDICATION
She beseeched the players to be guided by these principles in their lives generally.
PRO of the Association, Ras Iroy Pinney, revealed the name of the legend to be celebrated as patron of the legend’s cup. The individual to be honoured this year is Ferris Martin aka STOOL of the St.Thomas’ Parish. IROY noted that he had played for the Cotton Ground team alongside people of the caliber of Derrick Parry and his brother Hugh Martin. He was one of the more feared defensive players on the island. He later migrated to Tortola and represented that island at the highest level and also became a part of a competitive Nevis based team there. Later he moved over to St.Thomas and also represented that island’s top team. He is expected to be present at the closing exercises of the tournament.
The ceremony was ably chaired by Mr. Jamir Claxton, Ag. Director of Sports.
Immediately after the ceremony, the teams represented lined up on the field for an inspection conducted by Permanent Secretary Glasgow; President Meade and Ag. Sports Director Claxton.
The teams present were: SL Horsfords Highlights; Nevis Equestrian Villa United; Stones United; Hard Times and Stoney grove Strikers
This was followed by an exciting match which featured the Nevis Equestrian Center Villa United versus a combined Stoney Grove Strikers team and SL Horsfords Highlights with the team appropriately dubbed STONEY LIGHTS.
The game ended in an exciting 1 goal to nil victory for the combined team.
The Legends Cup tournament is set to kick off on Tuesday 27th August with a match between Stoney Grove Strikers and CCC Bath United.