FOR the first time since its inception three years ago, the Corona Futsal tournament will feature club teams alongside ward teams.

Twenty-four teams will take to the National Gymnasium over eight nights of action to determine who will hold the Corona trophy.

“There are a lot of players from clubs that went over to wards and they are a lot of clubs that want to participate under their structure and so we thought it a good idea or platform to see the ward teams play against what we call the structured clubs,” Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca told the press yesterday.

He stated, “Over the years, we would have enjoyed a very good working relationship with the officials of Top Brandz Distributors, obviously to be here for the fourth year.”
Mendonca noted that there are no restrictions from the Petra organisation regarding whether players play for teams or wards. That is left up to the clubs and wards to decide.
Eleven club teams from Georgetown will join 13 ward teams.

The structure will be elimination among the 24 teams, which is a straight knockout. The remaining 12 teams will be placed in three groups of four for the round-robin phase.
After three nights of round-robin competition, the top two teams in each group along with the top two third-place finishers will move into the quarter-finals.

Top Brandz Brand Manager Colin Stuart encouraged everyone to come out and support the event, adding, “Top Brandz has always been supporting sport in Guyana and we are pleased to be a part of this tournament.”

Apart from the opening date, matches are scheduled for May 7, 11, 14, 18, 25 with the final set for June 8.

Prizes will also be given to those teams that top their group stage, with $40 000 going to the winners, $30 000 for second, $20 000 for third and $15 000 for fourth.
The tournament’s first prize is $500 000, $250 000, $125 000 and $75 000 with prizes for the MVP and one lucky spectator.

There will be beer specials on game nights featuring the company’s five brands of beverages in Corona, Budweiser, Bud Light, Modelo Especial and Modelo Negro.
There will also be fan giveaways on game nights.

On the first night, Wolves United and Tucville open the clashes from 19:30hrs with Kingston and North East La Penitence meeting from 20:15hrs. Leopold Street will oppose Flamingo from 21:00hrs with Back Circle and Camptown expected to contest at 21:45hrs. Sparta Boss will also be in action from 22:30hrs against Black Pearl then GT Panthers and Bent Street will close the action off from 23:15hrs.

On the second night Pele will play California Square in the opening fixture, with GFC and West Front Road clashing in the second game. Broad Street take on Mocha, Order and Discipline play Future Stars, Beacons take on Sophia and Eastveldt face Tiger Bay.
Games are set for the National Gymnasium.