AS the Linden Mayor’s Cup football championship kicks off tonight in Linden, Mayor of Linden Mrs Waneka Arrindell has told Chronicle Sport: “The vision of the Mayor’s Cup is something, because I have known for a while that Linden seems to be very passionate about football and that seems to have dwindled a little over the years. I don’t know if it is based on the support you are getting from national and international persons. I don’t know how much interest that is.”

Tonight’s opening fixture at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground at 19:00hrs brings together Capital FC and Amelia’s Ward Panthers and the other game at 21:00hrs pits Hi Stars against Blueberry Hill.

Earlier in the afternoon there will be a clash of Veterans from Mackenzie and Wismar at 16:00hrs before the March Past of the contesting clubs at 18:00hrs, followed by an inspection and remarks from the Upper Demerara Football Association (UDFA), main sponsor Banks DIH and Mayor Arrindell.

The first game of the knockout tournament then gets underway.
The competition will have 12 teams.” We wanted it to start about two weeks ago but because of the late commitment of sponsorship we had to adjust the tournament, maintain those same teams, but it is a straight knockout,” according to Deputy Mayor of Linden, Wainwright Bethune..

The other teams are Upper Demerara champions Eagles United, Net Rockers, Winners Connection and Botofago who have all drawn byes to the quarterfinals. Other teams are Topp XX, Milerock’s B Selection, Capital FC, Amelia’s Ward Panthers, Silver Shattas and Coomacka, Hi Stars and Blueberry Hill United.