Assistant coach Andrew Jean says defending champions Weymouth Wales are highly motivated and ready to launch their title defence in the Prime Minister’s Cup.
With a lucrative $100 000 first prize on the line, the men’s competition kicks off at Friendship Playing Field on Monday, September 7.
Technique will face L&R United in the opening match at 7 p.m., before Division One runners-up Pro Shottas take on last year’s third-placed team, Paradise, at 9 p.m.
Weymouth Wales enter the competition with their sights firmly set on retaining the coveted title, and Jean says the champions are prepared for the challenge as the battle for this year’s crown gets underway.
Technique’s Technical Director Marlon Harte
“The preparation has been going really well and the guys are fully motivated. We are the defending champions and we really want to repeat and defend our title,” said Jean.
Rather than shy away from the expectations, Jean believes the pressure can serve as an advantage for a team accustomed to competing for trophies.
“There is pressure and that is good, we like the pressure being on us. It’s good for the team,” he added. “We are Weymouth Wales and we will play our style and brand of football. The goal is to win and we want to do that in style and play good football.”
After defeating Wales in the final of the Barbados Football Association’s President’s Cup earlier this season, Paradise are eyeing another successful run in the Prime Minister’s Cup.
Club president Adrian Donavan praised the competition, which he described as the biggest mass sport event anywhere in Barbados.
Paradise Club President Adrian Donovan
“Our Prime Minister must be complimented for her vision, especially at this time when our young people are getting involved in idle foolishness.
“Football teams across the country are in need of all kinds of assistance especially from a financial point of view where only a handful of teams are financially sponsored; it means that many of the clubs are run by one or two individuals which puts a strain on them and when those individuals go, the club could perish,” said Donavan.
Apart from the $100 000 grand prize, players will be paid stipends up until their team exits the competition and each club was allocated $10 000 to assist with startup expenses.
Technical Director and coach of the Technique men’s team, Marlon Harte, is excited about the return of the cup.
“We want to kick off the tournament in a big way. We have a very young team with the oldest player being about 25 years old and they are ready to go. The PMC is a great outlet to showcase young talent as we all know they are the future of the sport.”
Harte is no stranger to the competition, having reached the semifinals last year with Wotton.
“That experience for me was amazing and one I hope to experience again this year with a different result of course, but the atmosphere and the fans were special.”
Harte revealed that training sessions have been going well and the guys are looking forward to being on the pitch against teams from the other divisions.
“We saw the value the PMC brought to players like Andre Applewhaite and Niall Reid-Stephen who gained professional contracts thanks to the competition. I am hopeful that more will join them in the near future as football scouts are watching.” (KH/PR)
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