THE third annual Net Rockers/Amelia’s Ward  football clubs’ organised First Division Invitational knockout football championship will kick off this evening  when Winners Connection face Vasco at 18:00 h and Bakewell Topp XX collide with Eagles United from 20:00 h in the opening double-header feature at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground. According to a release from the organisers, the aim of the championship is to help promote and develop the game in the region. The competition continues on Sunday at the MSC ground with another double-header..
President of the Net Rockers Football Club, Collis Gift, said that “this year being our third time around, we are seeking to raise the bar a bit, coming off the just concluded World Cup hype. Teams will have a lot to showcase as they vie for more than $500 000 in cash and prizes.”
West Demerara’s Seawall Football Club will join Milerock, Blueberry Hill United, Bakewell Topp XX, Net Rockers, Amelia’s Ward United, Peacemakers of Ituni, Casco, Eagles United and Winners Connection from Upper Demerara to battle for a top prize of $150 000 and a trophy, while the second-placed club will get $75 000 and a trophy. Spectators will also cash in with several gate prizes up for grabs, kick-for-cash promotions and Top-Ups by the Cell Phone companies among other prizes.
Former club representatives Rawle Hensford and Nigel Alleyne are among the sponsors and have made significant contributions to the organising of this year’s tournament, Gift said. There will also be US$50 for the top goalscorer and the most valuable player of the tournament, compliments of former Net Rockers player Dwayne Douglas.
Looking at the tournament proper, Gift added “those who were there the previous years can confess to these exciting treats and this year promises to be even bigger.”
He assured that reigning champions Milerock will not have it easy defending their title this year since the state of football in the region has been renewed and all the teams are desperate for wins at almost any cost.
Gift said that there are plans for an Under- 17 tournament which is scheduled to start this  Sunday and will be run with this senior tournament at the Amelia’s Ward and Wisrock grounds during the day but will climax with the grand final on August 8 at the MSC ground.
Gift also disclosed that following the completion of these two competitions the Net-Rockers Football Club’s Rising Stars’ Under-20 football championship will commence on August 14 at the MSC ground.
He remarked that this tournament is aimed at discovering new stars, and new talents for the next generation of football.
It is the second year this U-20 tournament is being run off and interest has been overwhelming so far, Gift said.