TWENTY-FIVE teams will battle for supremacy from tomorrow at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground when this year’s edition of the Mayor’s Cup Football tournament gets under way, with over $1M in cash and prizes up for grabs. Executive coordinator Lennox Arthur indicated that the present football saga forced him to revert to the format of playing the tournament on an Inter-ward basis, one that was neglected in a big way and hampered development of football in Georgetown and its environs.
He noted that with this format more of the unorganised areas and players would get a chance to showcase their skill and talent in the sport, attracting coaches and other football administrators to harness the talent that is expected to be displayed.
Arthur was forced to revert to the inter-ward since the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was taken to court by the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) mid last year and the matter which has been ongoing seems far from being resolved in the near future.
Explaining that the tournament, which is in its 19th year is normally a club tournament and is being played in honour of His Worship Hamilton Green, Mayor of Georgetown, has seen a number of clubs winning this tournament.
It is anticipated that with the inclusion of these areas a large crowd will support the respective areas hence a keen competition is expected.
Asked about the seating and security arrangements, Arthur indicated that chairs and toilet facility will be added nightly to the venue. He said security has always been a priority and the Georgetown City Constabulary will provide support to the tournament,
The participating areas will be Tiger Bay, Uitvlugt, West Ruimveldt, Stewartville, Werk-en-Rust, Bourda, Lodge, Kuru Kururu, Kitty, Wales, Alberttown, South Ruimveldt, South Sophia, Charlestown, Mocha, West Ruimveldt Estate, Grove, North Sophia, Wortmanville, Campbellville, Kingston, Den Amstel, Pouderoyen, Alexander Village and North East La Penitence.
In tomorrow’s double-header Tiger Bay will take on Uitvlugt and the supporting game will be between West Ruimveldt and Stewartville.
The tournament continues the following day at the same venue with a triple-header where Werk-en-Rust will oppose Bourda, Lodge face Kuru Kururu and Kitty grapple with Wales in the final match of the evening.
On Sunday, Alberttown will match skills with South Sophia while Charlestown will meet Mocha in an exciting fixture. West Ruimveldt Estate will wrap up the night’s action against Grove.
Digicel, M. Beepat and Sons Limited, Guyana Beverages Company, CIDI, MACORP, New Thriving and Nezam Mohammed are on the list of sponsors for this year’s tournament.