By Stephan Sookram

HEINEKEN, under the Ansa McAl Brand, yesterday officially launched its Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Champions League finals promotion with a bang at the Pegasus Hotel in Georgetown.The beverage company has been a sponsor of the tournament for some years now and the local chapter kick-started its celebrations in fine style at the Savannah Suite with sponsors, media and fans all being a part of the celebration.
Heineken brand manager Robert Hiscock contended that this year the company wanted to ring in the season with a bang, adding, “It was the biggest launch we’ve had ever; so far.”
“We got in touch with some of the big corporate companies across Guyana, invited some of their staff, unknowing to the staff, down to a seminar about corporate wellness, meditation, financial wellness and all sorts of random stuff,” said Hiscock.
The Heineken brand manager continued exuberantly, “They sat in that for an hour and a half getting bored and then all of a sudden they were led out of the room and when they came back, there was a full party going on, a Heineken party; confetti, lights and it was massive.”
The Ansa McAl representative added, “Well I hope this is going to help us achieve what we want to achieve. This year we have so much happening for champions league; we have a massive champion’s league party on May 28, right in the middle of our 50th anniversary celebrations so people will have another outlet to celebrate.”
The final of the tournament will be broadcast live from the San Siro in Milan Italy with the local chapter planning a major shindig for fans at a venue expected to be named in the coming days.
Hiscock, himself an English football fan of Manchester United said that even though his side is out of the running this year, Spanish giants Barcelona are the clear choice of his to hoist the trophy, come May 28.
Fans and invitees were treated to the live broadcast of the Paris St German game which saw them beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Parc des Princes in the first leg while simultaneously Benfica managed a 1-0 win at home to Zenit Saint Petersburg.