TOURNAMENT coordinators Three Peat Promotions declared that all systems are in place for the staging of the quarter-final section in the inaugural Rio Indoor Streetball Championship, tomorrow, at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.

According to an official release, “All systems are in place and structures have been improved for a thrilling quarter-final section which is expected to set the trend for the remainder of the elimination round and which will captivate the large crowd that is expected to descend on the venue.”

The release also pointed out that “the excitement and anticipation for the knockout section is at fever pitch. Although the tournament is in its maiden campaign, it has been very competitive, with several teams more than capable of securing the coveted title and the $1M first prize which is the largest ever to be awarded for a community streetball championship.”

The quarter-final matches will pit Rio All-Stars against Future Stars. This promises to be a titanic clash. This will open the evening’s proceedings at 20:00hrs. The second match will pit Leopold Street against Gold is Money, which is another chapter in the storied rivalry between the established giants. This will occur at 21:00hrs.

In the third match, tournament favourites Sparta Boss will oppose East Coast Demerara giants Beterverwagting (BV) at 22:00hrs. This will be followed by the feature clash between the formidable Back Circle and heavyweights Bent Street 23:00hrs.

The organisers are of the view that the tournament has certainly elevated the standard and the manner in which Streetball is viewed.

They stressed that “the intention is for several other tournaments to be staged in a similar light which will add to the growing phenomenon. This is the only way for the quality to be sustained and eventually improve.

“At the moment, the quality is at an all-time high and the players, sponsors and fans are directly responsible for such a realisation. After all this format is fixated and focussed on the players, fans the communities that they emanate from.”

The grand finale will occur on December 14 at the same venue.