Newly crowned Mackeson ‘Keep Your Five Alive’ Champions West Front Road were officially presented with the championship trophy and the $300,000 first prize at a simple presentation ceremony yesterday at the Ansa McAl Headquarters at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
West Front Road dethroned former champions Sparta Boss by a 3-2 score line on penalty kicks, following a nil-all score at the end of normal and extra time in the grand finale. For their displays, the team also received football turfs (footwear) and cleats from Colours Boutique and Clairans respectively, as well as football socks and a ball from the Footsteps Megamall.
Captain Hubert Pedro was overjoyed at the victory, following a challenging match. “The tournament was challenging and we can’t take anything away from Sparta. They are a good team and it was a good final. We won all our games on penalty kicks and we didn’t concede any goals in the tournament….They defeated us last year and now we won this year which makes it 1-1 between us so we are looking forward to facing Sparta again,” he said.
For their showing Sparta Boss received $200,000 as well as football turfs for every member of the team from Colours Boutique. Speaking on behalf of the runners-up, Jerome Richardson said:“The tournament started out on a good note and we wanted to reach the final from day one. It was a good tournament and we will work harder to get to the next final.”
In his speech, Mackeson Brand Manager Jamal Douglas said:“Mackeson has deemed the tournament a success. The competition, like the captains would have said has improved and we are looking forward to continue to support community sports and as such, the fifth edition will be bigger and better.”
