LATE ENTRANTS in former Upper Demerara and national club champions Bakewell Top XX will face off against Amelia’s Ward Panthers tonight from 21:00hrs in the lone official game of this year’s Upper Demerara Football Association’s /GT Beer Supa 16 Christmas knockout football championship at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground.The opening game of this year’s championship which is sponsored exclusively by beverage giants Banks DIH, will be preceded by the march past of the participating clubs at 18:00hrs, to be followed by opening remarks from a representative of sponsors Banks DIH, UDFA president Collis Gift and the feature speaker Minister of Public Service Ms. Jennifer Webster.
The first game of the night, however, will be a veterans clash between East and West of Linden at 19:00hrs, followed by the Topp XX versus Amelia’s Ward Panthers affair.
Topp XX, the seven times Kashif and Shanghai Christmas extravaganza champions were initially not included due to administrative issues, but were drafted in to replace Mahdia, while the defending champions are Winners Connection.
These two sides along with Milerock, Net Rockers, Eagles United, Botofago, Peace Makers, Kwakwani Strikers, Vasco, Silver Shattas, Hi Stars, Block 22 Goal Getters, Snatchers and Blueberry Hill are the contesting clubs for the top prize.

(By Joe Chapman)