ITS THAT time of the year when street football teams such as Back Circle, Broad Street, West Front Road, Tiger Bay and Alexander Village, just to name a few, would be getting their act and players together to do battle in the Petra Organisation-organised/Banks, DIH-sponsored Guinness ‘Greatest of De Streets’ Futsal Football competition.

For the past six years, the beverage manufacturing giant has been joining forces with Petra Organisation to bring to Futsal football-loving fans, the Guinness tournament which is played among City teams in various wards throughout Georgetown.
Last year, close to G$1M in cash prizes was up for grabs, with the top team taking home $500 000, while the second-, third- and fourth-placed teams received $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000 respectively along with trophies and same can be expected this year.
In addition to the abovementioned prizes, teams competing out of the preliminary round pocketed $25 000, $20 000, $15 000 and $10 000 each, according to their placing, which meant all teams were winners, even if they did not go on to compete for the top prize.
It also meant that no team went home empty-handed from last year’s tournament, but this year, instead of receiving such cash prizes for their placing in the preliminary rounds, teams will be receiving Guinness items and products.
This was disclosed by Banks DIH’s Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, who told Chronicle Sport the tournament will kick off on November 18 at the Banks DIH’s Demerara Car Park, which can be called the ‘Home of Guinness Street Football’.
According to Baptiste, Street Futsal Football teams in West Coast and West Demerara along with Berbice can commence their preparations since the tournament will be coming their way next year, along with the traditional one that is held on the East Coast of Demerara and Linden and the national playoffs.
“We are looking to spread our wings with this tournament which has gained international recognition thanks to Digicel SportsMax, so three new areas in West Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara and Berbice can expect our presence next year.
Not forgetting also, we host the tournament in Linden and on the East Coast of Demerara, with all the various winners coming together to do battle in the national playoffs for a chance to see who will represent Guyana in the Caribbean ‘Guinness Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football competition,” said Baptiste.
He called on City teams to look at the bigger picture, which is representing Guyana in the Caribbean tournament, even though the prize money at stake for the Georgetown championships is great.
“I think for them, the big prize should be representing Guyana in the Caribbean championships. When I look at some of the players who have represented Tiger Bay in the Caribbean tournament this year and hear how they speak of their experiences, it is enthralling.
Queen Street Tiger Bay won the Georgetown and national championships and placed second in the Caribbean tournament to Trinidad and Tobago for net earnings of G$1.3M and already they are talking about doing well in all tournaments to go back to Trinidad and avenge that loss and have commenced training to that effect,” said Baptiste.
Venues such as Burnham Court, California Square in East Ruimveldt, Albouystown, National Cultural Centre and the National Park are regularly used to host matches in this tournament, attracting a large turnout.
As was done in previous years, the winner will go on to represent Georgetown in the national playoffs among other Guinness ‘Greatest of De Streets’ winners, for a chance to represent Guyana in next year’s Caribbean ‘Guinness Greatest of the Streets’ Futsal Football competition in Trinidad and Tobago.

(By Calvin Roberts)