Action from the Provo Falcons and the Provo Lions
A total of 37 goals were scored on the first day of competition of the FortisTCI-sponsored Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) Under 17 Elite League, played at the Academy Field on Providenciales on Saturday, May 29.
The biggest win of the day was the Grand Turk Dynamos’ 7-0 hammering of the North Caicos Seals. The second highest winning margin was the Provo Falcons’ 6-0 blanking of the Seals. Earlier the Falcons edged the Provo Lions 3-2, in what was the nail-biting fixture.
The Dynamos returned to outscore the Dolphins 6-3. The final game of the day saw the Provo Eagles drawing 2-2 with the Lions in what was a most entertaining encounter.
L-R: Sonia Fulford-Missick; Ruth Forbes; Jarret Forbes; Andrew Edwards
The competition was preceded by an opening ceremony, which saw Chief Executive Officer for FortisTCI, Ruth Forbes; Director of the Sports Commission, Jarret Forbes; President of the TCIFA, Sonia Fulford-Missick; and Technical Director for the TCIFA, Andrew Edwards, delivering speeches.
The FortisTCI boss told the opening ceremony that her company was happy to resume its sponsorship of the competition after the COVID-19 pandemic had forced shelving of all sports activities across the Turks and Caicos Islands.
She told the gathering that Fortis was committed to the development of sports and young people in the TCI, and has committed to do so for the foreseeable future.
Jarret Forbes also sang FortisTCI praises, saying that through the Elite League, the budding footballers could play their way into football scholarships and develop themselves into international players. He urged the participating players to take part in the true spirit of the game, showing respect for their opponents while playing hard.
President Fulford-Missick, who also praised FortisTCI for its undertaking, said the light and power company is the epitome of what sponsorship ought to be. She pointed out that due to the commitment exhibited by Fortis, leagues were now being played on all the islands.
“You are not only partners through financial contribution, but you are hands-on partners, and you prove that every day. You have been with us from the commencement…from the decision-making aspect of the leagues.
“You have been there with the planning of all the logistics and you are here on the ground today, doing your part as hands-on partners. You are what partnership represents, and you are a model that all partners should follow…and we want to thank you for that,” she said.
Fulford-Missick also urged fair play among the players, reminding the players that their participation was not only just about winning but also a development experience.
For his part, Technical Director Edwards reminded the young footballers that they are the future of the game, saying that in 10 years-time they would be the ones donning the national colors if they work hard enough.
The competition will make way for the World Cup encounter between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Haiti at the Academy Field on June 5, but will resume on June 12.
The league is being played on a round-robin format, which will see all the teams playing each other. When that aspect of the competition is complete, there will be a pairing play-off with the top finishers making the final.
See more photos below: