Ansa McAL partners with BFA/EDFA/EBFA for staging of Stag Beer super 16 challenge

Dec 10, 2014 Sports

By Zaheer Mohamed
Ansa McAl has united with Berbice Football Association (BFA), East Demerara

Marketing Director of Ansa Mc Al Troy Cadogan (right) presents the first place trophy to secretary of the EBFA Franklin Wilson in the presence of officials of the other associations, Normalization Committee and sponsors.

Football Association (EDFA) and the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) for the staging of the inaugural Stag Beer Super 16 Knockout challenge.
The tournament, which is set to kick start on Sunday at Number five ground in West Berbice, was launched yesterday at Ansa McAl head office at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara. Six teams from EDFA and five each from BFA and EBFA will vie for the top prize of $1.5M, while the runner up will take home $500,000, third place $300,000 and fourth $100,000. Additionally the best goalkeeper, goal scorer, and the most valuable player will also be rewarded, while each team will be given $50,000 to prepare for the competition. Teams are allowed a maximum of four guest players and registration closes tomorrow.
Public Relations Officer of Ansa McAl Dharshanie Yusuf said they are happy to continue supporting football, adding that they will continue to support the sport in a better way and pointed out that two players from their East Bank league have made the national team.
Speaking at the launching, Secretary of EBFA Franklin Wilson said they are happy to start such a partnership with Ansa McAl, stating that it is a collective effort from the three associations. “Fans deserve these entertainment and we are happy to have the Normalization Committee as part of the arrangement,” he added.
Stag Beer brand coordinator John Maikoo said they are happy to be the official sponsor of the tournament and have the support of the various associations. “We are about to deliver football to those areas that has been neglected when football was being played else where and we do look forward to a successful tournament,” he stated.
Chairman of the Normalization Committee, Clinton Urling, said they are happy to see football being played here and congratulated the respective associations and sponsors. He informed that the application for the Kashif and Shanghai tournament has been approved for the Easter season. “We do look forward to reactivate the national team and to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals. We will look to develop the game at the grassroots level in 2015,”he posited.
Stuart May another member of the Normalization Committee stated that football can only develop if it is being played and this augurs well for the game locally, while Troy Cadogan, Marketing Director of Ansa McAl said this is a historic occasion for them and their commitment to football will continue.
Both Aubrey Hutson of EDFA and Keith O’Jeer of BFA thanked the company for their backing. On Sunday, Cougars will tackle Soesdyke Falcons and Monedderlust will face Golden Stars. On December 19 at Grove, Agricola Red Triangle will play Ann’s Grove and BV Triumph will tackle Grove Hi-Tech.
On December 21 at No 5, Timehri Panthers will take on New Amsterdam United and Mahaica Determinators will match skills with Rosignol United. On December 23 at Victoria, Buxton United will face Kuru Kuru Warriors and Corriverton Links will challenge Victoria Kings. The quarterfinals will be played on December 25 and 26 at Victoria, while the semifinals will take place at Buxton on December 28. The tournament will conclude on January 1, 2015 at Blairmont on the West of Berbice.