… Ultimate Caribbean final set for Guyana
ONCE again, local beverage manufacturing giant Banks DIH through its Guinness brand saw it fit to launch another Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ football tournament which kicks off tomorrow night at the Albouystown basketball court.
At a simple presentation ceremony held in the sponsor’s boardroom, tournament coordinator Troy Mendonca first thanked the sponsor for coming on board with the tournament.
“This year’s tournament will be played on a round robin knockout basis among the 32 teams who have been placed in eight groups of four, with the top two teams advancing to the round of 16, at which stage the knockout segment will kick off and I wish to say thanks to Banks DIH and its Marketing team for coming on board once again.”
According to Mendonca, a former Georgetown Football Association president and present Marketing Officer of the Guyana Cricket Board, teams from some outlining areas outside of Georgetown had signalled their intention to participate in the tournament, but they had to be turned down.
Mendonca stated that systems will be put in place for next year’s tournament, to accommodate the teams from outlying areas who are interested in competing in the tournament.
As an added bonus to this year’s tournament, the sponsor has injected $1M more into the prize money, with same being divided equally among the teams in the eight groups, where the top team will walk away with $30 000 while the other three will pocket $25 000, $20 000 and $15 000 respectively.
Added to such, the prize structure remains the same as last year which saw the victorious team pocket $500 000 with the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams receiving $300 000, $150 000 and $50 000 respectively.
Mendonca did state that the group prizes will not be distributed freely, since there is a criterion the respective teams will have to meet, in order to receive same.
“In order for the four teams within their various groups to receive their group package according to their finishing, the organising committee is asking that they complete all their group matches. That is the only requirement, since we are looking to get rid of the walkover victories.”
In his brief remarks, Banks DIH’s Sales and Marketing Manager Carlton Joao said it was a pleasure for his Company to be associated with such an event once again.
“Certainly, when you look at the support given to this tournament over the years we have been sponsoring, you would see it as an overwhelming point, while it has become a part of our calibre to sponsor same.
“The Guinness Company which Banks DIH represents, has extended this tournament to the Caribbean, hence we here at Banks DIH are working to have the ultimate Guinness Greatest of the Streets Caribbean finals held here in Guyana sometime next year – a proposal that has been accepted by the other countries.”
He continued, “We have seen the sport develop and it is nice to see the youths from within the various participating communities coming out and showcasing their talent, while the respect shown is immeasurable while the stewardship of the various matches has been great also and I must commend the referees for doing a wonderful job.’
Joao said Guyana’s Guinness Greatest of the Streets competitions is a top notch one, for which Banks DIH is proud to be associated with, while he echoed Mendonca’s view to have a system in place for next year’s tournament where teams from out of Georgetown can compete.
This year, five venues namely Albouystown and Burnham Basketball courts, East Ruimveldt Community Centre and National Cultural Centre tarmacs along with the National Park tarmac, will be used to host matches with the final set to take place at the National Park.
Apart from the regular teams of last year’s tournament, two teams from Linden and three from the East Coast namely Melanie, Beterverwagting and Buxton will battle for supremacy, with defending champions Broad Street opening their defence against D’Urban Street tomorrow night.
In addition to the over $2M in cash prizes that are up for grabs, individual prizes will be given to the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Highest Goalscorer and the Most Disciplined Team while all teams received one Guinness ball.