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Service providers for One Guyana President’s Cup tournament still owed
– GFF says awaiting payments from Government
Kaieteur News – The inaugural One Guyana President’s Cup football tournament wrapped up on January 1, 2023, but almost four months after the event’s completion, service providers are allegedly yet to be paid.
It was a fitting finale for the One Guyana President’s Cup tournament, as a near capacity-filled National Track and Field Centre witnessed Region 4 coming from behind to defeat Region 3, 2 – 1, to cart off the trophy and $2M.
However, after the lights were turned off and the glitz and glamour of the prestigious tournament dwindled, the people behind the scenes are now left with a handout, hoping to be paid soon.
Over the course of the last month alone, several persons had reached out to Kaieteur News, seeking help to ascertain when they would be paid.
Yesterday, members of the entity hired for security visited the newspapers’ Saffon Street, Charlestown office, explaining that they’re owed approximately $1.2M, but are now being tossed between the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.
However, when contacted, GFF General Secretary, Ian Alves, said the football Federation is the conduit between the service providers and the Government of Guyana.
Alves explained that the GFF is awaiting payments from the Government, after which all workers will be paid for services.
One of the persons in charge of the security team, said workers are now issuing threats for their money, “remember the tournament was during the holiday, so the guys would’ve left their families to work at the tournament. So when they contact me and I’m telling them to hold on, they’re getting a little frustrated.”
The man said the One Guyana President’s Cup tournament was not his first time doing business with the GFF, “but we never waited this long to be paid. Usually, payment is not really an issue, but this time is different.”
The tournament which was administered by the GFF, kicked off with an inter-ward competition in all 10 Regions. After that phase, 10 regional teams contested the inter-regional round-robin championship.
Matches were played at the National Track and Field Centre, the Buxton Community Centre Ground, the Bartica Community Centre Ground, #5 Ground and Albion Sports Complex.
The One Guyana President’s Cup was one of the most lucrative tournaments ever held in Guyana.
Apart from the $2M offered to the winning team, each player received $80,000 as a one-off payment. Team captains received $100,000.
The head coach of each team collected $100,000, while members of his coaching staff received $80,000.
For each win in the group stage, teams were rewarded $200,000, and each semi-finalist $400,000. Second place overall pocketed $1M.
The players and coaches have all received their respective earning from the tournament.
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