THE GEORGETOWN Football Association (GFA) yesterday launched the third edition of their annual Banks Beer Cup at the Princess Hotel Boardroom, Providence, wherein it was disclosed lucrative cash prizes will be distributed. Slated to commence on November 23rd at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) ground Bourda, the event will feature a tournament high 32 teams from six associations competing in a single elimination format at various venues, at the end of which the overall winner will pocket G$4M and a trophy.
Banks Beer Brand Manager Brian Choo-Hen during the feature address said his Company is delighted to be a part of the tournament once again, while adding, “Banks is now having a football fever and it’s a sign that shows the company’s commitment to football and its development.”
Choo-Hen added, “We expect all the teams to play fairly, to respect each other and train hard so that the tournament can be successful for the development of football in Guyana. We are in Banks country and when in Banks country we only drink Banks Beer. Without any fear of repetition, I officially declare the Banks Beer Cup officially open.”
Vice-president and head of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical and Tactical Development Ivan Persaud said, “The GFF is pleased to be a part of a tournament that seems to be lifting the standard of football in Guyana and that is going from strength to strength.”
“We at the GFF believe that the more teams we have competing, the larger the talent pool we create to choose from for our national sides and I must say thanks to Banks DIH for their continued commitment towards the development of football in Guyana and I wish the teams the best of luck.”
GFA president Vernon Burnett during a brief statement said the GFA is happy to be in partnership once more with Banks DIH to host another tournament, adding that invitations were extended to 32 teams with the hope of bringing more flavour to the tournament.
Apart from the cash prize and trophy, the winners will also be the recipients of medallions, while the second, third and fourth placed finishers will take home G$2.5M, G$1.5M and G$1M respectively, along with trophies.
In addition to those cash prizes, teams that are defeated in the quarter-final round will each receive $250,000 while second and first round eliminated sides will collect $150,000 and $100,000 respectively.

And on the individual side, accolades will be awarded for the highest goal scorer, best goal keeper, most disciplined team and most valuable player (MVP) and the Most Outstanding Coach of the tournament which is also being sponsored by Colours, Star Party Rentals and Super Graphics, will pocket $100,000.
Venues that will see action over the 16 playing dates are the Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC), Den Amstel Community Centre, the Number 5/Monnederlust Community ground in Berbice and the venue for the opening day of action.
The venue for the grand final which is slated for Wednesday January 1st 2014 will be announced at a later time and in a good show of gesture, the GFA will hand over to the Associations from which venues will be used for the competition, 20% of gate receipts.
The five other participating associations are the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), East Coast Demerara Football Association (ECDFA), Berbice Football Association (BFA), West Demerara Football Association (WDFA) and East Bank Football Association (EBFA).
They will be 17 teams competing from outside of the GFA and each team is allowed a maximum of three local or international guest players and the competing teams are Alpha United, Guyana Defence Force, Camptown, Beacon, Guyana Police Force, Fruta Conquerors, Black Pearl, Flamingo, Pele, GFC, Northern Rangers, BK Western Tigers, Houston Stars, Riddim Squad and Santos, all out of the GFA.
Representing the UDFA are Winners Connection, Silver Shattas, Net Rockers, Topp XX, Milerock and Botofago while the EBFA will be represented by Grove Hi-Tech and BV/Triumph United; Mahaica Determinators and Buxton will do battle under the banner of the ECDFA, even as the trio of Slingerz, Den Amstel and Seawall United, will be battling under the banner of the WDFAFC.
Concluding the list of association participants will be the BFA duo of Cougars and Monnederlust, whilst Kwakwani Strikers and an Essequibo select team occupy the final two spots.