THE unavailability of the Uitvlugt Community Centre ground has forced organisers of the Slingerz Football Club, Stag Beer-sponsored ‘West Side’ Mashramani Champions Cup to shift the start of the tournament to Friday February 21.Initially, the event was set to kick off tonight, but ongoing rehabilitation at Uitvlugt ground, coupled with the hosting of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Premier League being hosted at the Den Amstel Community Centre ground, had a the final say.
Seven other clubs will be looking to wrestle the title away from Slingerz FC, who had defeated Den Amstel 3-0 to win last year’s competition. Just like 2013, the winner will pocket $500 000, second-placers $300 000, third-placers $200 000 and fourth-placers $100 000.
“The only thing that has changed is the dates,” said the Club’s General Manager Collin ‘BL’ Aaron, while noting, “So now we would play February 21 at Den Amstel while February 24, March 1, and the grand final on March 8 will be played at Uitvlugt. I know that persons have been looking forward to the start of the tournament on Sunday, but I’m sure they understand that the change is something we had no control over,”
The tournament is being held for the club’s one-year anniversary and according to Aaron, “Slingerz will be having some giveaways during the tournament, just to show our appreciation to the people on the West Side who have been supporting us from day one and for those who only recently came on board.”