THE Inter-Market football tournament, last hosted in 2006, has returned after a two year hiatus and yesterday saw the launching of this year’s fourth instalment of the tournament which is being conducted under the Power Stout brand name of Banks DIH.

This year’s competition, dubbed the ‘Champions of Champions Tournament’, will see sixteen teams vie for top honours and the right to be called the top municipal football team in Guyana.

Defending champions La Penitence will have to fend off contenders from Georgetown, West Coast Demerara, East Coast Demerara and Berbice if they wish to retain their prestigious title.

The tournament which is expected to be a series of heated contests will be fuelled by the $150 000 first prize and the $100 000, $75 000 and $50 000 second, third and fourth prizes respectively. The first place team will also receive a champion’s trophy in addition to the monetary prize.

During the launching Troy Peters, Communications Manager of Banks DIH noted that Banks DIH will be involved in the tournament once again because the company recognises the importance of being involved in the community.

Peters said it was noticed that Power Stout has an exceptional appeal to athletes who use it to get that much needed drive and as such the tournament was branded the Power Stout Inter-Market football competition.

Peters also wished the organisers success in their venture on behalf of Banks DIH and especially the Marketing Manager George McDonald who he says has been very instrumental in making the tournament possible. The Guyana Football Referees Council has been invited to officiate at the event and all international rules and regulations will apply.

The festivities get under way with the opening ceremony which will be followed by a double-header. First on the card will be the bout between defending champions La Penitence and Wales which will be followed by the Kitty v Buxton confrontation.

Spectators are asked to conduct themselves in a respectable manner so as not to bring disrepute to the organisers or the Thirst Park facility.