T&T, Brazil & Suriname among eight teams to battle for $1.2M International Fustal Festival launched by GFF

Nov 30, 2018 Sports

By Sean Devers

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) yesterday at their Headquarters launched the inaugural eight-team International Fustal Football Festival 2018 which was attended by GFF, representatives, Coordinator of the Event Aubrey ‘Shanghai’ Major, ExxonMobil’s Nicolas Haywood, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Sports Dr George Norton and members of the Media.
Coordinated by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, the ExxonMobil-sponsored International Futsal Festival will be staged at two venues from December 27-30. The Fustal Festival will see participation from Trinidad and Tobago’s Morvant Caledonia United, a Soa Paulo selection from Brazil and ZV All-Stars of Suriname which is expected to include some guest players to strengthen their club side.

At yesterday’s launch from left, Aubrey Shangi, ExxomMobil’s Nicolas Haywood, Sports Minister Dr Geoege Norton, GFF President Wayne Forde and Director of competitions Ian Alves.

East Coast All-Stars, Linden All-Stars, Georgetown All-Stars and West Demerara All-Stars are the four local Association teams which will match skills with a Guyana team. Although the Festival is slated to be contested at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH) and National Park Tarmac, GFF’s Director of Competitions Ian Alves disclosed that the GFF has not yet confirmed if CASH will available as a venue.
The NSC has moved Futsal to the National Gymnasium since the newly laid ‘mat’ on the floor of CASH being used for Hockey would be damaged by Footballers. When pressed for clarification on the availability of the venue, Dr Norton said he could not make a comment on that issue without knowing all the facts since the NSC is responsible for Government owned Sports Facilities.
The Sports Minister expressed delight at being in the company of those who had a passion for the sport and football ran in their blood. “I am glad that football is spread all across Guyana but a bit disappointed that more football is not organised in the hinterland where many indigenous people are good at football,” added Dr Norton.
GFF President Wayne Forde informed that this is one of two key year-end events that should happen every year. The other is the Super-16 which was launched a week ago and scheduled to commence on December 14.
ExxonMobil is the title sponsor with Stag Beer and I-Cool Water also sponsoring the event where the third placed play-off and the final will be contested on the last day. Haywood said this was ExxonMobil’s second collaboration with football for the year adding that when ExxonMobil received the letter from the Kashif and Shanghai Promotion Group, the world’s largest publicly traded international oil and Gas Company had no hesitation in approving the sponsorship due to the work done in promoting football by that Group.
The champions will collect $1.2 million, a Trophy and Medals while the losing finalist will receive $500,000. Third and fourth place finishers will take home $300,000 and $100,000 respectively.