AS the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) celebrates its 60th anniversary, members are doing so in convincing fashion, by sponsoring albeit for the third time, the Berbice Football Association (BFA)-organised Cheddi/Janet Jagan Memorial football competition to the tune of $2.2M. At a simple ceremony held during the Memorial Service for the late Cheddi and Janet Jagan, two former presidents at Babu John Port Mourant last Sunday, President Bharat Jagdeo met the president of the BFA Keith O’Jeer along with a few representatives of the clubs who will be participating in this year’s tournament.

According to O’Jeer, the tournament will be played on a knockout basis, with teams from Linden, East Coast, Georgetown and a Combined team from Bartica, competing for the $200 000 first prize and trophy this year.

Last year, the tournament which was in its second year, following a successful maiden year in 2008, was officially launched at the Port Mourant Community Centre ground with representatives from the participating teams in attendance along with the Regional Administrator of Region Six, Mr. Zulfiqar Mustapha.

A special women’s match involving a Berbice and Georgetown teams, was played in memory of the late Janet Jagan, who was a beacon for women’s rights and social activities within our nation, hence the BFA saw it fit to highlight her memory within their annals of the sport of football.

As they did in the inaugural year of the competition, present defending champions New Amsterdam United through an Adrian ‘Garnett’ Adams strike, downed Paradise Invaders in the final one-nil to take home the $100 000 first prize and trophy that came with it.

According to the BFA president, Georgetown Football Club, Winners Connection, Netrockers and Silver Shattas have all agreed to be a part of this year’s tournament alongside Monedderlust, Cougars, Mahaicony, Strike Force and Piston United.

They will join Paradise Invaders, Corentyne, Hopetown Pacers, defending champions New Amsterdam United and Rosignol United who will be fielding a second team under the name of Rosignol Warriors in the tournament which commences at the end of next month.

Apart from the first place prize, the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams will receive $150 000, $100 000 and $50 000 along with trophies respectively.