THE Georgetown Football Association (GFA) and local beverage giant Banks DIH Limited are partnering for the Powerade Under-13 Football tournament which kicks off Saturday at Thirst Park ground. Vice-president of the GFA, Kabina Griffith, at the launch last weekend at Banks DIH head office, said at least 12 clubs are expected to take part in the tournament.
He said the tournament is the first step to launching a football academy for junior players in Georgetown.
“This tournament will form the basis for a ground-breaking academy with support of Banks DIH and will serve to identify players for the academy. We have named former national coach Jimmy McLean to be the overall coordinator and we are in discussions with other coaches including Gilbert Sampson to be a part of the programme,” said Griffith.
According to Griffith all teams affiliated to the GFA as well as organised junior teams within the city will be eligible to take part.
He said that two matches will be played each weekend with play scheduled to run for 60 minutes for each match.
Over half a million dollars in cash and gear will be up for grabs. A top prize of $100 000 will be taken by the winners as well as gear, $75 000 will go to the runners-up, third-placers will receive $50 000 and the fourth-placed team $25 000.
There will also be prizes for the most valuable player (MVP), highest goalscorer and best goalkeeper.
GFA president Vernon Burnett said his organisation was pleased to be part of the programme and he thanked Banks DIH for its continued support to the GFA.
“This is an extremely important programme that will lead to the development of football in Georgetown and Guyana as a whole. I would like to thank the executives, coaches, players and Banks DIH for making it a reality,” he added.
Jennifer Khan, Soft Drinks manager of Banks DIH called on the players to be disciplined and to use the tournament as a good influence.
She said it is the start of a very exciting programme and noted that Banks DIH will be offering top class facilities for the event.
Khan said the tournament falls under the Coca Cola 360 degrees Health and Fitness programme.
Interested teams can register with an executive of the GFA.