THE Georgetown leg of the 2015 Guinness Greatest of the Street Football Tournament was officially launched yesterday in the Banks DIH Conference room and kicks off tonight with eight matches at the National Cultural Centre Tarmac.Following a traditional kick-off ceremony, the Petra-organised event enters its sixth year with 32 teams vying for the Georgetown title, and also one of two opportunities to compete in the National Championships.
Present at the simple launch were Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste, Banks DIH Communications Manager Troy Peters and Petra Director Troy Mendonca.
Baptiste disclosed that this year is projected to be the best so far, after narrowing down 63 registered teams to 32 – an increase from last year when 53 Georgetown teams had entered.
He (Baptiste) mentioned that Banks DIH has seen tremendous support from the communities of the numerous teams featured in the tournament and that is why the company does not hesitate to put back into those areas.
The Guinness Brand Manager further stated his company is quite pleased to once again be associated with the Petra organisation, as they embark on the event, which concludes around the country in the month of July next year.
The teams will divided into eight groups of four, 24 of which were already decided while the other eight had to face a qualification process which concluded last night.
Tonight the action gets under way at 19:30hrs as North Ruimveldt meet Island Allstar then South Ruimveldt go head-to-head with Festival City Street Fighters, Queen Street Tigers challenge North East La Penitence and Globe Yard battle Cross Street.
In the other half of the programme, Sophia will tackle West Back Road, Albouystown ‘B’ meet Hope Street Tiger Bay, Alexander Village oppose East Front Road and the night wraps up when Sparta Boss confront Broad Street Bullies.
This year’s Georgetown winners take home the top prize of $500 000 while second-placers pocket $200 000, third-placers $150 000 and fourth-placers $100 000.