[FOOTBALL]

GG: FOOTBALL IS SPECIAL TO GRENADA

Patron of the Grenada Football Association (GFA), Governor General Sir Daniel Williams has challenged the local sporting body to rise to the challenge of making football more accessible to young people.

Speaking at the opening of the 2003/04 domestic season on Saturday, Sir Daniel described the importance of football to Grenada.

"We know what the Reggae Boyz did for Jamaica. Jamaica is a very small country by international standards but its successes at the world cup got it an international coverage that is almost incredible. I'm offering this as a challenge and it's possible," he said.

"I'm sending a powerful challenge to the GFA to rise to greater heights," Sir Daniel said.

In delivering the feature address, the Governor General said while we can't benefit from other highly televised sports, there are opportunities from football.

"We here can't claim pre-eminence in baseball, polo or basketball but we have an opportunity with football to identify ourselves in the international arena. I don't know how many of our people who take part in sports realise how special football is to Grenada. Even with cricket, if I'm a little vulgar, we tag on, but with football we stand on our own.

It is for this reason I want to implore probably beg our footballers to do well enough that we in Grenada will find ourselves with international recognition," the GFA's patron said.

Sports Minister Adrian Mitchell also encouraged the players to work hard at the game since according to him, football presents numerous opportunities.

"I want to impress on the young people that there are opportunities out there where you can advance like some of our other players have done and they are now in colleges in the United States, some playing in places like Jamaica and England.

I hope you'll take this seriously. It takes discipline, it takes dedication with your schools work as well," Mr. Mitchell said.

Twenty-eight teams are participating in the 2003/04 football season. Anchor Queen's Park Rangers are defending the Premier League.

Hard Rock, who is now playing in the Premier League, won the 2002/03 First Division while R.K. Rental Ball Dogs, last season's Second Division champions, are now campaigning in the First Division.

T.A. Marryshow Community College (TAMCC) is the latest affiliate of the GFA.