Latest update April 4th, 2025 5:09 PM
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Guinness Futsal starts tonight
Nearly $600,000 in prizes and trophies will be up for grabs in the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport (MCYS) / Banks DIH Guinness Futsal Indoor Tournament which kicks off tonight at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
This was intimated to the media during the launching ceremony which was attended by executives of the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) Marlan Cole and Troy Mrendonca, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Competition Co-ordinator Seville Ferreira and Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste yesterday, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
According to Ferreira some twenty-four teams comprising those affiliated to the GFA and the respective winners of the MCYS Inter-Block competitions will vie for top honours in the 8-day event with the final set for August 2.
The winning team will cart off $300,000, runner-up $150,000, 3rd place- $75,000 and 4th place- $50,000, while individual prizes will also be up for grabs.
The teams invited to participate have been divided into eight groups of three with Group A comprising Camptown, Victoria and Houston Stars; Group B- Alpha United, Flamingo and Buxton Back; Group C- Pele, BV Sideline Dam and Riddim Squad; Group D- BK International Western Tigers, Black Pearl and North Grove; Group E- Fruta Conquerors, Northern Rangers and Crane Rovers; Group F- GDF, Nelson Street Mocha and South Soesdyke; Group G- GFC, Ann’s Grove Punters and Uprising and Group H- Santos, Beacons and Plaisance.
Members of the Head table at yesterday’s Futsal launching (from left)- GFA Secretary Marlan Cole, tournament co-ordinator Seville Ferreira, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste and GFA President Troy Mendonca.
Meanwhile, Cole speaking at the launching said that the venture was a collaborative effort between the GFA, MCYS and Banks DIH and they are extremely delighted to be part of the activity.
“We had planned to stage the tournament to coincide with the rainy season and it is with much pleasure that we are able to involve the Ministry and Banks DIH,” Cole said.
Cole called on the teams to exhibit good behaviour throughout the tournament because any negative development could jeopardise the future relationship with the Ministry.
Mendonca in his brief remarks reiterated the comments made by Cole, adding that the whole idea of the programme was another demonstration of the Association’s quest to cover all aspects of the game locally.
He extended special thanks to the Ministry for allowing them the opportunity to foster a better relationship with them.
He too warned teams and their supporters to be on their best behaviour throughout the tournament so as not to put at risk the partnership that currently exist between the three parties.
Kumar in his comments said that the Ministry was pleased to be part of the new development.
“Recently I’ve had discussions with Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and we’ve made a decision to assist any Association that is willing to work with the Ministry,” Kumar stated.
He cited the successful staging of the recently concluded schools basketball tournament as an example of the Ministry’s commitment to the development of sports and applauded the Kaieteur News article written by Edison Jefford which according to him gave an accurate analysis of the event.
The Director disclosed that the National Sports Commission does not have money so it is essential that it work in tandem with other organisations to help promote sports. He then wished the organisers good luck and success.
Baptiste then spoke of the good relationship his Company has had with the GFA executive, adding that it is so because of the meticulous stewardship and discipline that they display.
He said that even though Banks DIH has been affected by the global downturn, the mere fact that they’re still willing and able to support the tournament speaks a lot about its commitment to the development of sports.
He also stated that another reason for their support is because they’ve seen some form of discipline return to the sport, but urged participating teams and fans to ensure that that observation remains intact and the image of the game is not tarnished.
In response to the question of whether systems would be in place to ensure that the rules and regulations pertaining to the use of the facility is strictly adhered to, Mendonca said that both uniformed and plainclothes security personnel have been retained, while patrons and players will be scanned on entering the arena.
Tonight’s fixtures are as follows: Beacons versus Plaisance; Black Pearl vs. North Grove; Fruta Conquerors vs. Crane Rovers; Camptown vs. Houston Stars; Flamingo vs. Buxton Back; GFC vs. Uprising; BV Sideline Dam vs. Riddim Squad and GDF vs. South Soesdyke.
Each match will be of 24 minutes duration and matches start at 19:00 hrs. Entrance fee is $300.
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