Latest update May 31st, 2026 12:46 AM
Latest News
- Turkish power company holds Guyana at ransom for more $$$ as contract expires
- Exxon commences 3-month offshore inspection of Gas-to-Energy pipeline
- Widespread floods prompt Cabinet fanout amidst claims of dysfunctional pump stations
- Iran demands US$300B reconstruction fund
- Arudranauth Gossai elected new Bar Association president
Upper Demerara executives launch inaugural 20/20 Football tournament
First there was 20/20 cricket followed by 20/20 boxing, now administrators of the interim body of the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA) have launched the inaugural 20/20 Football tournament scheduled to get underway at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground from Saturday April 17-24. In between, matches would be played on the 20th and 22nd.
Interim President of the UDFA, Joseph Haynes convened a press conference at the Section K Campbellville offices of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and could hardly contain his excitement at the prospect of the championships. Also attending the press brief was coordinator of the tournament, Marlon Pearson, Secretary of the UDFA, Beverly McDonald, Public Relations Officer, Sharma Solomon and Organizing Secretary, Jermaino Figueira.
According to Mr. Haynes, the planning stages of the tournament were long and meticulous and necessitated much thought to fructify. “In 2007 this concept was in its embryonic stages and even though it sounded silly, I could not rid myself of the idea,” he intimated. The Upper Demerara Football Association boss said that he went against the odds and scripted the innovation because deep down in his breast he recognized the feasibility of the plan. He further disclosed that one of the objectives of the tournament was to revitalize the lagging sport in the mining town.
Mr. Haynes noted that the planning committee has been working assiduously to fine tune the modalities and now that the task is completed, they are ready to present a well organized and conceptualized package to the Guyanese football fans.
The format of the game has been revised to provide high density excitement while retaining the ‘fair play’ objective. There would be no extra or added on time and players attempting to employ delay tactics would be yellow carded. Mr. Haynes explained that the rules were enacted to retain the competitive edge even as the players battle for supremacy.
The players would be competing under the rules of the ruling football body FIFA and should regulation time conclude in a stalemate, a penalty shootout would be undertaken to decide the winner. “There would be no drawn match in this format,” Mr. Haynes reiterated.
The competition would then develop into national proportions as was revealed by Mr. Haynes. He explained that matches would be played in each football region over a period of seven months and culminate with the teams battling for ownership of the 20/20 Guyana Cup, to be contested between teams finishing in the first three podium positions. The eventual winner would be crowned the ‘Guyana 20/20 Football Champions’ The winners would then cart off $300,000 while the second and third place finishers receive $200,000 and $100,000 respectively.
Coupled with that, footballers would compete in a separate segment of the championships to earn the right to be the Cup Champions at the Champion of Champions 20/20 tournament and take home a lucrative first prize of $1,000,000 plus each member of the team receives a medal of authentic gold. The runners up carts off $500,000 and silver medals while the third place finishers go home with $250,000 and bronze medals.
The rules have been redesigned to accommodate 15 players per game inclusive of one substitute goalkeeper and three players on the bench per team.
To heighten the excitement the referee has the power to issue red cards to offending players. Coupled with that, the affected team would be awarded a penalty irrespective of which part of the field the infringement occurred.
A registration fee of $500 would be charged to each participating team while the first game of the tournament would comprise two teams from the proposed venue of the next championships. Mr. Haynes explained that this strategy is being employed to introduce the respective venues and highlight the talent from within that particular sub association. The organizers said that the tournament has received the blessings of the Guyana Football Federation. The first exhibition match brings together the GDF and Western Tigers.
Share this:
Discover more from Kaieteur News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.