– Tournament to feature female competition

THE Petra Organisation, on Monday, launched its MVP Sports Futsal Competition with this edition expected to feature female competition.

During the launch at Brandsville Hotel in Campbellville, it was disclosed that female teams from the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, Fruta Conquerors and Santos FC will play alongside the traditional male teams.

This came in for high praise from title sponsors MVP Sports, Proprietor, Ian Ramdeo saying, “I’m very pleased to see that there’s a female component of this tournament as well. So that’s something that, as I’m aware of, has really been part of mandatory tournaments in Guyana prior to this, so hats off to you and we look forward to an exciting tournament and many years to come.”

The tournament, which kicks off on Thursday, October 20, at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall (CASH), has also garnered support from Ansa McAl through its Lucozade and Magnum brands, as the official beverage provider.

Ansa McAl’s Errol Nelson, in brief remarks, said, “It should be noted that Ansa McAl Trading which distributes the Magnum Tonic Wine and Lucozade brands, have had a very long term relationship or partnership with the petra organisation whereby we have been partnered with them to help promote the sport from the grassroots level all the way up to the senior level.”

National Sport Commission’s (NSC’s) Director, Steve Ninvalle, who was also present at the event, said, “It is only natural that, with such levels of organisation, persons will tend to want to gravitate towards you. The National Sports Commission is one of those entities that have gravitated towards you and we would want to say that, after doing what they have done, we will continue to be one of your supporters throughout the years.”

Its fourth edition was contested in 2018 and this year’s edition is expected to feature Albouystown, Alexander Village, Avacado Ballers, Back Circle, Belfield, Bent Street, Beterverwagting, Campbellville, Channel 9, Crane, East Front Road, Future Stars, Goal Is Money, Leopold Street, Melanie, Mocha Family, Pike Street, Sophia, Sparta, Stabroek Ballers, Swag, Tiger Bay, Vengy FC and Vryheid’s Lust.

The Men’s champion will cart off $500,000 while the runners up will take home $300,000.

Third will settle for $200,000 while the fourth place will receive $100,000.

Additionally, the winner of each of the six groups in the male division will receive $50,000 while second place will take home $30,000, third place will pocket $20,000 and fourth will receive $10,000. After the Group stage, the top two finishers in each group, along with the best two third place teams, will advance to the next round.

In the Women’s division, the tournament winner will pocket $200,000, second place $100,000 while third and fourth incentives amount to $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) award will also be up for grabs in both divisions.