Alves unsure of date of resumption of new season
Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Director of Competitions Ian Alves said he is unsure of the exact date for the resumption of the GFF Stag Beer Elite League and if the number of participating teams will be increased. The inaugural Stag Beer Elite League season concluded June 27 at the Leonora Sports Facility with Slingerz Football Club emerging the season champion after defeating Alpha United 1-0.
In an invited comment Alves told Stabroek Sport that he was unsure of the exact date for the start of the new season.
“I could say maybe mid to late August to early September. We will have a review of the league and come up with a way forward.
“Based on our review, we will see what needs to be adjusted and what will need improvement in order to make the league better,” he added.
Asked if the possibility exists of other teams being added to the championship, he said:” I am not in that position to say, anything of that nature will come out of the review.”
However according to sources close to the federation, the possibility exists that other teams that are holders of the Elite League License can be added.
The sources indicated that some stakeholders are interested in increasing the numbers with two of the three other qualified teams likely to be considered.
The other teams that are in possession of Elite League Licenses are East Coast of Demerara giant Victoria Kings, Mocha-based unit Riddim Squad and Linden outfit Topp XX.
West Ruimveldt’s Western Tigers had applied for their license but was unsuccessful.
From the federation’s standpoint increasing the number of teams would have to be viable financially whether the sponsorship supports two additional teams because of the large increase in games that would occur.
According to the sources, it allegedly costs the federation upwards of $80,000 to stage matches during the Stag Beer Elite League and with the increased number of participating teams, the overall expense to manage to the tournament would escalate drastically, the sources posited.