Osmond Cummings Third Annual Memorial Extravaganza kicks off Sunday

Aug 03, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....za-kicks-off-sunday/

Nigel ‘Mice’ Cummings in collaboration with Botofago Football Club for the third year hosts the Osmond Cummings Memorial Football Extravaganza at the Silvertown All Stars Community ground on Sunday.

According to former National Footballer, Nigel ‘Mice’ Cummings, the Football extravaganza is in honour of his older brother who played football for Botofago Football Club; and although he never got to represent his area or country because of his temper, he was his idol. Cummings said that his brother would always support and encourage him. “My brother Osmond had a temper and because of that he never made it to represent Linden or Guyana, but it didn’t stop him from supporting football. He was my biggest fan; he was my inspiration and my motivator. I played for Guyana with many caps to my name and I am proud; so I am doing this for Osmond to help the young footballers in the community and to encourage them.”
Cummings noted that this year he wanted to make it into a league and have the finals played on Sunday but as much as he tried he couldn’t get a meeting with the executives of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA).
Cummings lamented that since last year (2016) he signaled his intentions to run a League in 2017. “After the two games last year I decided I wanted to host a Round Robin Tournament so that all clubs in Linden would benefit and not just two or three clubs. My liaison in Guyana contacted the former President, the present President and other executives of the UDFA and it was only promises of meetings. I spoke to the present President and an executive member and I was promised that it would be ok but that is just what it is – a promise.”
The former National footballer claimed that he didn’t want anything from the UDFA; all he wanted was their permission. “It seems as though the Executives of the UDFA are stifling football and the youths in Linden, stifling talent. All I wanted was for them to sanction the tournament and I would have provided everything. It looks as if they sanction what suits them and if maybe one of the corporate companies’ is the sponsor; but they don’t know what I can do. I’m sorry if I offend anyone but it is the sad truth.”
Cummings said he hopes that the members of the UDFA executive realize that much more can be done for football in Linden and they need to wake up. “Linden produced footballers of high calibre and I would like to see the national team has five or more starters from Linden once again just as it was in my time.”
Lots of trophies and prizes will be given away at the end of four exciting games. The first will pit Botofago FC U-18 against Amelia’s ward FC U-18 and the main event Botofago FC U-23 will match booths with Blue Berry Hill FC U-23. Kick off time is 11:00am. (Jacquey Bourne)