THE Linden 32-team leg of the nationwide Guinness Greatest of De  Streets  football championship kicked off with a bang on Sunday night.
Members of the Linden communities turned out in large numbers, along with  Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony, Regional Chairman of Region 10  (Upper Demerara/Berbice). Mortimer Mingo, the Linden Municipality’s Interim Management Committee Chairman Orrin Gordon, Banks DIH officials including Marketing Executive Carlton Joao, Communications Manager Troy Peters, Outdoor Events Manager Mr Mortimer Stewart and Linden Branch Manager Ms Shondell Easton.
The programme started with one of the organisers, Caeron Sealey opening the proceedings with the prayer. 
In what was a fantastic turnout at the competition’s opening venue, the Wisrock/Amelia’s Ward Minibus Park in Central Mackenzie, under specially installed floodlights, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony said that for two years the tournament was proposed to government.
But he acknowledged that at first there was some hesitancy in embracing the idea but when the tournament kicked into gear and they saw it in action, it was worth it. He said the Linden community is benefiting in a big way as the tournament has come out of the city. 
Dr Anthony said the tournament has become a national event and is one which is expected to reach the Caribbean, as he urged the organisers to have Guyana plan the first of its kind and play the Caribbean championship here in Guyana.
Regional Chairman of Region 10 Upper Demerara/Berbice Mortimer Mingo said the tournament is good for the country and said that with it being staged in Linden it will help with the financial packages it offers to the youths of the town and its environs.
For this Mr Mingo thanked Banks DIH for the initiative and bringing the tournament to Linden.
Carlton Joao, Marketing Executive of Banks DIH, was happy in getting the communities in Linden involved but cautioned that discipline be the watchword as the tournament is played. 
Minister Dr Frank Anthony was introduced to the two All Star teams from Linden and Georgetown, who played the opening exhibition game where the Mining Town’s All Star selection prevailed with a 2-1 win.
In results of the tournament, the first game tipped off when the Topp Class Crew overwhelmed Police 5-3 behind a quadruple of goals from Ashton Angel (Jr.) which came in the 6th, 10th, 11th and 18th minutes and another by Garfield Liverpool in the 21st minute.
For the losing Police side R. Trotman netted in the 9th, D. Linton the 13th and D. Scotland in the 27th minute.
This was followed by the Minibus side bettering their $100 Car rivals by a 3-2 score-line. Omar Abrams, Delroy Johnson and Kevin Barker scored for the Minibus Drivers the 9th, 13th and 18th minutes respectively. For the $100 Car Drivers Kevin D’ Andrade netted in the 5th and Oslyn Adams in the 15th minutes.
The $100 car Drivers then returned to beat Police 3-2 with D’Andrade scoring in the 6th, Eze Percival the 10th and Deon Grandison in the 12th to lead the taxi  men to victory while for Police Bevon Leitch had a double in the 13th and 15th minutes.
Then Topp Class returned to beat Minibus Crew 1-0 with Ashton Angel (Jr.) again in fine form getting the lone goal of the game in the 3rd minute.
However, Police were able to record a win as they arrested Minibus Crew 1-0 behind a Melroy Leitch goal which came in the 14th minute.
In another match Topp Class and $100 Car Drivers played to a 1-1 stalemate with the goals being scored by Darwin Peters in the 17th.  $100 Car and Kevin D’Andrade who actually opened the scoring in the 4th minute for $100 Car.