Latest update February 10th, 2025 2:25 PM
Teams ready for start of Busta Soft Shoe Football Tournament
– Regional Brand Manager presents teams with jerseys
By Rawle Welch
Some in the media strongly believe that the Petra Organisation led by its
Busta Regional representative Christine Kellawan hands over one of the jerseys to one of the teams’ Captain in the presence of players and Guyana Beverages Inc and Petra Organisation officials.
chief principals Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole has the Midas touch, but there are many who know that without the requisite organisational acumen many projects fail.
The large turnout of teams’ representatives at the handing over of jerseys and fixtures to those confirmed to participate in the inaugural Busta Soft Shoe Football Tournament is indicative of the above stated characteristic of the Group and the harmonious relationship it enjoys with clubs, players and communities by extension.
On Tuesday evening in the Spice Garden Restaurant of the Bransville Hotel on Pike Street, Prashad Nagar, teams representatives listened attentively to remarks made by Guyana Beverages Inc General Manager Robert Selman, whose Company is the platinum sponsor, Regional Busta Brand Manager Christine Kellawan and Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca.
Selman, who was instrumental in inking the sponsorship to the tune of $4 million under the Busta brand spoke of his personal inspiration to support the request made by Petra Organisation for assistance, citing his own struggles during boyhood to afford the amenities to play traditional football due to the family’s hardship.
The long serving Manager who is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, but has been associated with the local Company for the past twenty-two years, implored on the teams to play with discipline and fairness, promising to do it again should the tournament be played without controversy and disruptive behavior.
The affable, but stern Selman told the gathering that the main purpose of his Company’s involvement is to get the youths off the streets and be constructively engaged in meaningful activities.
He was however quick to point out that should the tournament be drawn into disrepute he could then pull the plug on the sponsorship to protect the good reputation of Company.
“I want to make it clear Guyana Beverages Inc. will not be responsible for any act of indiscipline or any other issue that may bring the game into disrepute. Our involvement is as the title sponsor and nothing else so I don’t want anyone to approach me or the Company to make any complaint,” Selman said.
He stated that the aim is to spread the tournament to all parts of the country where Busta products are supported, adding that both the local and parent companies believe that sport is one way of investing in the development of young people.
Selman pledged to give the Most Disciplined team an additional $25,000, while each team will benefit from monetary prizes for their participation providing they complete the round of matches.
Kellawan, whose visit is specifically linked to having a firsthand look at the staging of the tournament, told the gathering that it is, ‘an exciting time’ for Guyana Beverages Inc., informing that they will continue to be customer first and open to new ideas.
She spoke of the huge investment that the Company is making, adding that the brand is extremely popular in all twenty-four countries that it is exported to.
Kellawan added that it is all about building relationships and keeping a positive partnership with all their customers.
Mendonca in his remarks echoed the sentiments expressed by Selman, urging the teams to exhibit good discipline throughout the competition.
“I am in support of the call made by Mr. Selman for all of you to demonstrate discipline which will then give a good reflection of your respective communities that I’m sure will be embraced by us as the organizers, fans and more importantly the sponsors,” Mendonca said.
Mendonca extended thanks to the Busta Company for its steadfast commitment in ensuring that the tournament is a success and expressed optimism that it will be very exciting.
He then gave the teams’ reps a synopsis of the tournament rules and what is expected from them.
Each team was presented with ten jerseys apiece and the tournament kicks off today at the GFC ground.
Fixtures
The fixtures are seen below
Ballerz versus Durban Street
Leopold Street vs. Tucville
Broad Street vs. Sophia
Alexander Village vs. Charlestown
Sparta Boss vs. California Square
Albouystown vs. Hope Street (Tiger Bay)
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