Over $1million in prizes up for grabs

Nov 10, 2010 Sports

Over $1million will be up for grabs in this year’s Guinness ‘Greatest of de Streets’ Football Tournament which is expected to commence today with eight (8) matches at Independence Boulevard, Albouystown.
Over thirty-two teams will be competing in this year’s competition which carries a first prize of $500,000, runner-up $300,000, third place $150,000 and fourth place finisher $50,000.

From left: Banks DIH PRO Troy Peters, Tournament co-ordinator Marlan Cole, Banks DIH Sales & Marketing Executive Carlton Joao, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste and Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart seen at the launching yesterday.

In addition to the financial rewards, individual prizes will also be given to the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Highest Goalscorer and the Most Disciplined Team, while fans will be able to participate in special promotions on every night games are played.
Tournament co-ordinator Marlan Cole speaking with the media at the launching which was done at Banks DIH Thirst Park in the presence of the Company PRO Troy Peters, Sales & Marketing executive Carlton Joao, Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste and Outdoor Events Manager Mortimer Stewart, said that they’ve divided the teams into four groups with the top two advancing from the round robin preliminary phase to the knockout stage.
Cole outlined that the tournament is anticipated to last twelve days and this year will see a much larger spread of participating streets, while some other communities have been added to the playing venues.
The co-ordinator disclosed that prize monies have been increased by 100%, adding that it is testimony of the overwhelming success that the previous tournament enjoyed.
Hope Street of Tiger Bay is the defending champions after they defeated Albouystown in the final of the tournament.
Joao in his remarks pointed to the overwhelming response that the tournament received in 2008 as one of the primary reasons for the second edition of the competition.
“The response was so overwhelming that we had no choice, but to once again offer our support for the tournament,” Joao told the media.
He said that the Company was extremely proud of the way the event was organised, adding that another strong reason was the fact that Banks DIH is so embedded in most communities that it left them with little choice, but to do it all over again.
Joao spoke of the support that the last tournament had from the respective communities that the games were played in, adding that they are looking forward to more of such support in this tournament as well.
He reckoned that with the prize monies seemingly more palatable and with Christmas around the corner, the entity was anticipating a very competitive tournament.
The Executive revealed that the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport was also on board, while they will be working along with the Guyana Police Force to ensure that the standard of discipline set in the inaugural tournament is replicated.
Cole in closing disclosed that Sophia is also slated to host a round of matches.