TWO days of exciting seven-a-side football culminated on Sunday evening when Soesdyke, through a Mark Barker second-half goal, emerged as the inaugural champions of the People’s Progressive Party’s Soesdyke/Timehri/Highway Cluster organised competition.

Played at the Banakari Ground, situated at Long Creek on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Honourable Kwame McCoy was amongst other officials, including Michelle Drepaul, Askari Ferrier, Everton Poole, and Pierre Andrews, who witnessed exciting action as the twelve (12) teams all displayed skills of some sort. But it was the Soesdyke boys who claimed the top prize of $100,000, medals, and a trophy, with their win over Waiakabra, which walked away with $50,000 and a trophy.

Following Saturday’s opening rivalry, which saw all 12 teams competing, the quarter-finals were contested on Sunday, when Soesdyke defeated Hauraruni 2-0, through goals from the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, Neron Barrow Jonathan Bailey.

Waiakabra were then pushed to the hilt to turn back the challenge of Yarrowkabra, 3-2, on kicks from the penalty mark as both regulation and extra time failed to produce any goals. Bamia trounced Kuru Kuru College 3-1, thanks to goals from Marcus Johnson, Jvonte Lewis, and Kevin Charles. Kuru Kuru College’s consolation strike came from Steven Smith.
Swan Madewani eased into the semi-finals on account of a brace from Edson Williams, and Circuit Ville failed to score.

Both semi-finals were decided by respective 1-0 score lines, Waiakabra’s Joshua Grant netting the winner against Bamia, with Soesdyke’s Tyrone Khan sealing his side’s place in the final and subsequent title, with the winner against Swan Madaweni.

Khan, along with Edson Williams of Swam Madaweni and Yarrowkabra’s Terrence Glasgow ended as the competition’s joint leading goal scorers, with a brace each. Waiakabra’s Marlon Fernandez was adjudged the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper.

Minister McCoy, in brief remarks following the presentation of prizes to the top individual performers and teams, thanked them all for making the tournament a resounding success. Gratitude was also extended to the hundreds of fans who turned up over the two days to cheer their teams on.

Minister McCoy promised the communities that His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana are fully committed to their development in the area of sports, and would be working hand-in- hand with the Ministry of Sport to ensure that their needs are taken care of. Similar activities are planned for the near future.