ONCE again, the Banks DIH-solely sponsored “Guinness Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal football competition in the mining town of Linden is about to take that community by storm, when it kicks off soon following the launching which is set for one week from today at the Egbert Benjamin Hall.

According to reports coming out of Region 10, in the streets, homes and at every corner where people meet to have a conversation, the topic is none other than the “Greatest of the Streets”.
In an invited comment, coordinator Caeron Sealy said that a high-level display of skills is anticipated, as Lindeners see how serious the teams are about taking the bigger share this year in the tournament.
Over $1 150 000 in prizes, including cash and trophy, will be up for grabs and with that in mind, most of the Linden tarmacs are occupied by teams going through their paces of practice sessions every afternoon in preparation for the kickoff on March 24.
Thirty-two teams have already registered to participate and they will be taken from the wards of Linden and are as follows: Amelia’s Ward – TLC Shippings Russians, South Stars, Rough and Rugged Speight Land United, Central Mackenzie, Retrieve Unknowns, Barsenal, Coomacka United, Exodus, Constab, The Amazing, Hard Knocks, Eagles and Attackers, just to name a few.
Amelia’s Ward Russians are the defending champions, having defeated a game Hard Knocks 1-0 on penalty kicks in last year’s final and with the backings of a sponsor this year, can every well go all the way to become the first community in Guyana to repeat as ‘Guinness Greatest of the Streets’ champions.
The cash prizes for this year’s tournament will be distributed as follow: first place, $600 000 and second place $300 000, with the third- and fourth-placed teams receiving $150 000 and $100 000 respectively, while the usual Guinness giveaways every night of this year’s tournament.
Sealy said the games will be played in a safe environment under the watchful eyes of the Guyana Police Force. The tournament is scheduled to run for 10 nights from the date of commencement, culminating with the grand final on May 1.
The tournament is divided into two segments, with the teams being divided into eight groups from which they will contest the round-robin round, following which the top two of each group will advance to the knockout round.
Venues identified to host matches are Wisroc/Amelia’s Ward Bus Park, Silvercity Hard Court and New Silvercity School Hard Court and all games are scheduled to begin at 18:00hrs each playing day.