THE Climb Guyana Cup will make a return with its Easter Edition featuring a total of 28 male and female senior teams set to compete for both cash and glory from March 22 to 24 in the North Rupununi.

The Aranaputa Sports Ground in the North Rupununi will come alive with seventeen (17) male teams, and for the first time, eleven (11) female teams and four Under-15 teams, all representing North, Central and South Rupununi.

The Battle of The North champions, Massara Strikers FC, may have clinched victory in December, but with their absence in this competition, a new male winner will emerge.

Participating senior men’s teams are All Stars Blazers FC, Challengers United FC, Falcons FC, FC Basin, Guyana Rush Saints FC, Jaguars FC, Legends United FC, Moco Moco FC, Paiwomak FC, Snatchers FC, Snipers FC, Spartans FC, Tabatinga FC, Three Hills FC, Three Regions FC, Toka FC, Wowetta Thunderbolt FC.

Senior Women’s clubs are are All Stars Blazers FC, Challengers United FC, FC Basin, Flash FC, Gladiators FC, Guyana Rush Saints FC, Jaguars FC, Paiwomak FC, Strikers FC, Three Hills FC, Three Regions FC

Climb Guyana Cup Founder Amanda Wilson-Falloon said that the decision to host the tournament was driven by a desire to contribute to the Easter festivities in the region, and also provide teams with more playing time in preparation for the start of the Regional Senior Men’s League.

“Easter is one of the busiest travel times in [the] Rupununi because it’s rodeo season. We decided to host the Climb Guyana Cup to add to the Easter festivities in the region, and to also give players more playing time in a competitive environment ahead of the upcoming new season of the Rupununi Football Association (RFA) Senior Men’s League.”

“We are looking forward to another successful tournament at the Aranaputa Sports Ground, three days of intense competition and lots of fun. As a fitting conclusion to the event, the Aranaputa Rodeo is scheduled for March 25, immediately following our championship match.”

Each match is scheduled to run for a duration of 40 minutes. All clubs will compete in the knockout stage, with the winners advancing to round two. This sequence will continue until only the top four performing clubs are left to compete in the championship and third-place matches.

Wilson-Falloon added: “A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the clubs, the Rupununi Football Association (RFA), the North Rupununi Football Association (NRFA) and Aranaputa Upper Burro Burro Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) for their continuous support of Climb Guyana, as we persist in highlighting a fresh platform for competition.”

Fans will witness fierce competition between some of the Rupununi’s premier clubs vying for a prize pool of one million dollars in cash and prizes.

Climb Guyana Region Nine Director Alphonso King noted that “preparations are on stream for the tournament and the teams are eager to compete. We encourage all fans to come out and support their teams.”