Let’s Kick Covid Out, that’s the tag line been used by the Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) Inc as competitive football action returns on Saint Lucia soil in over a year due to the Covid -19 pandemic.
The showpiece which was scheduled to kick off last weekend was postponed due to the passage of Hurricane Elsa, which left a trail of destruction in its wake and will now take place this weekend with the senior men Club Championships. The championship will be played in two categories, the Premier and Division II respectively.
B1 FC will come up against Diamond Ballers, while Together Youth FC comes up against Roseau Valley Juniors
At the Anse la Raye playing field, from 5.00 p.m. B1 FC will come up against Diamond Ballers, while Together Youth FC comes up against Roseau Valley Juniors at 7.00 p.m.
Matches in Division ll championships which feature eleven clubs, inclusive of a National Under 20 team, will be played at Anse la Raye, Canaries, the Phillip Marcellin Grounds and the SLFA Goal Project in Grande Riviere (Dennery) on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The participating clubs are – 1987 All Stars, Bays, B1 FC, Diamond Ballers, Lancers FC, National Under 20, New Generations, Roseau Valley Juniors, Togetherness Youth, T Valley, and Victory Eagles.
The winner in Division ll will collect $5000.00 second place – $3000.00 and third place – $2000.00
Meanwhile, a total of nine clubs have registered to compete in the Premier Division with double headers scheduled for Wednesdays and Sundays at the Anse la Raye playing field on the west coast and the Phillip Marcellin Grounds (PMG) in Vieux Fort.
Tomorrow, (Sunday 11th), in Division 1, a double header is schedule for the Anse la Raye playing field from 5.00 p.m. in Game 1, VSADC will play El Ninos, while Monchy takes on Ti Rocher at 7.00 p.m.
Also, on the same day another double is scheduled, this time at the PMG, from 5.00 p.m. GMC FC versus Uptown Rebels, while Knight FC will fancy their chances against Northern United FC at 7.00 p.m.
Following the championship, the top four teams will be awarded monetary prizes and trophies.
The first-place team will take home $15,000, the losing finalist $11,000, the third-place team $9,000 and fourth place – $5,000 respectively.
According to the office of the SLFA in La Clery, the Ministry of Health through the Office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Sharon Belmar – George has granted approval for both the training of teams and the staging of the tournaments within the confines of the necessary protocols.
Commenting of the championship, SLFA President, Lyndon Cooper said, “As we prepare for the long awaited 2021 SLFA Club Championships during this abnormal COVID-19 period. I encourage everyone to observe the COVID-19 protocols, to help keep all involved safe and healthy.”
Cooper continued, “Participating clubs are reminded to follow the principles of fair play and protect the integrity of the game by observing all rules and regulations.”
He said, “The SLFA looks forward to football of a high quality, a successful season, as we kick start this year’s SLFA Club Championships and that we continue to propel football to higher heights, here in Saint Lucia.”
“Let’s keep safe while playing the game we love and missed so much and Let’s Kick Covid.” Cooper said.