– 16 teams, $200,000 first prize

Distributing giants Ansa McAl, will kick off their ‘West Side’ Inter Village 5-Aside football tournament on Friday August 15 at the Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac and according to coordinator Collin ‘BL’ Aaron, the event will be the first of its kind.The tournament which is being sponsored under Ansa McAl’s Stag Beer brand will see teams hailing from 16 villages, all from the West Coast and West Bank of Demerara and the East Bank of Essequibo.

$200,000 will be awarded to the winners of the tournament, while second through fourth places will pocket $100,000, $75,000 and $25,000 respectively.

“We expect this to be an exciting tournament simply because nothing much is happening on the ‘West Side’ and players are hungry for some action, they all want to play and this is the best way possible that will give each village a chance to actually play a part,” Aaron said.

The event coordinator added that “as far as I can remember, there has never been such an event, so this will be a first of its kind and we all know how much people on the ‘West Side’ are passionate about their football, so we’re confident of a successful event”

Apart from the opening of the tournament on Friday, matches will be played August 20, 21, 27, 29, 31 and the final set for Sunday September 7.

Vergenoegen Rice Mill Tarmac and Pouderoyen Basketball Court are the two venues that are slated to host the event.

Teams who are yet to register are asked to contact the organisers on telephone number 670 – 1947 or 674 – 5981.