THE fourth edition of the Limacol Football tournament was launched yesterday afternoon at the Ministry of Education (MOE) ground on Carifesta Avenue.

The 2019 edition of the tournament will see a top prize of $750 000 up for grabs.

It will feature 12 teams matching skills in a round-robin/knockout format with initial play schedules to commence on August 31 and the grand finale projected for late September.

Troy Mendonca, co-Director of the Petra Organisation, thanked New GPC for its continued support of the competition, adding that the event will give the local football a timely boost.

Meanwhile, Company Secretary of New GPC, Zulfikar Ali, during brief remarks, stated that his company is proud to be associated with the tournament.

The tournament will feature teams predominantly from the Georgetown Football Association (GFA) with eight teams from that association set to compete in the tournament. Meanwhile, two teams from the East Bank and one team each from West Demerara and East Coast will make 12.

The 12 teams are Georgetown Football Club (GFC), Pele FC, Riddim Squad, Camptown, Black Pearl, Beacons, Northern Rangers, Pouderoyen, Grove Hi-Tech, Buxton Stars and Mahaica Determinators. GT Panthers and Eastveldt will engage in a playoff for the 12th and final spot in the tournament.

New champions will be crowned since 2018 Champions Police FC are not a part of the action this year. The 2019 champions will pocket $400 000 while the runners-up will walk away with $200 000. The winner of the third-place playoff will receive $100 000 and the fourth-place finishers will enjoy $50 000.

The 12 teams will be divided into three equal groups with the top two teams in each group and the best two third-place teams advancing to the quarterfinal round.