THE second edition of the Upper Demerara Football Association’s GT Beer SUPA 16 football championship was launched last Saturday at the Watooka House, where Banks DIH GT Beer Brand Manager Errol Nelson declared that Linden was one of the first communities where GT Beer was distributed and the first where promotional or sponsorship activity involving GT Beer was held in the form of this very tournament last year.

Nelson thanked the UDFA for approaching Banks DIH last year about a SUPA 16 tournament which we signed on to because we saw it as a plus for the Linden community,
He said, “Just how the tournament was well received and supported by the Linden community, GT Beer since it was launched has been received, accepted and supported not only by the Linden community but countrywide.”
Fifteen teams have been drawn to contest this tournament where the cash incentive is $1M with the second-place team receiving $600 000, third $400 000 and fourth-place finisher $200 000 along with trophies, replicas and medals.
The teams, drawn from across Region Ten (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) are Winners Connection, Milerock, Net Rockers, Eagles United, Botofago, Peace Makers, Kwakwani Strikers, Vasco, Silver Shattas, Hi Stars, Mahdia, Block 22 Goal Getters, Snatchers, Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Blueberry Hill.
Noticeably absent from this year’s tournament are former Upper Demerara and National Club champions and seven-time Kashif and Shanghai winners Bakewell Topp XX who, according to president of the UDFA Collis Gift, unfortunately, did not meet the requirements to be included in this year’s tournament.
The tournament kicks off this Sunday with a double-header feature at the tournament venue, Mackenzie Sports Club.
A women’s game and one competition match between Peace Makers and Amelia’s Ward Panthers will be played on the opening night which will be preceded by a march past of the various teams at 18.00hrs, before the first game at 19:00hrs.

(By Joe Chapman)