The Guyana Beverage Company yesterday officially handed over the respective team uniforms to the teams competing in the inaugural Busta soft-shoe football tourney.
The presentation was done during a press conference at the Bransville Hotel, Prashad Nagar.
The teams that received uniforms for the tournament which commences today at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground are, Ballerz, Durban Street, Leopold Street, Tucville, Back Circle, Globe Yard, California Square, Broad Street Bullies, Holmes Street-Tiger Bay, Sophia, Charlestown, Alexander Village, Sparta Boss, Albouystown, Queen Street Tiger Bay, Cross Street, North Ruimveldt, West Back Road, Bent Street, North East La Penitence, Festival City, Kitty Weavers, Stevedore Housing Scheme and West Front Road-Gold is Money.
Managing Director of Guyana Beverage Company Robert Selman said: “Sports is the way forward.”
According to Selman, the company has invested significantly in the venture as an avenue to give youths an opportunity to showcase their talents.
He added that the possibility exists that the event will be expanded to other parts of the country in the near future and appealed to the players and teams to ensure the tourney was played in the right spirits and devoid of any conflict.
Selman thanked the teams for their commitment in partaking in the inaugural championship whilst wishing all the participants the best of luck during their respective campaigns.
Busta Brand Manager, Trinidad and Tobago-native Christine Kellawan, said it was an exciting time for the company who is always customer focused and open to new ideas and initiatives to build their respective brands.
She said that the Busta brand has always been a facilitator of sport due to its sponsorship of several ventures, declaring that it was therefore no surprise that the establishment decided to come on board for the endeavour.
Kellawan noted that while a significant investment is being funnelled into the tourney, it is part of the many plans being formalised for the brand during the current year. She asked the players and the organizers to help shape a successful championship and company as a whole.
Petra Co-Director and tournament Coordinator Troy Mendonca echoed the sentiments of Selman, adding:” I am in support of the call made by Mr. Selman for all of you to demonstrate discipline which will then give a good reflection of your respective communities that I’m sure will be embraced by us as the organizers, fans and more importantly the sponsors.”
Mendonca expressed gratitude to the company and the Busta brand for their continued commitment in making the tourney a reality.
The championships will officially kick-off at the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground in Bourda with six group fixtures.
In the opening match at 19:00hrs, Ballerz will oppose Durban Street while Leopold Street will lock horns with Tucville in the second showdown from 19:45hrs.
The third matchup of the night will pit Broad Street Bullies against Sophia from 20:30hrs while the fourth matchup following a break will witness Alexander Village opposing Charlestown from 21:00hrs.
In the final two matchups, Sparta Boss will lock horns with California Square from 21:45hrs and Albouystown will match skills with Holmes Street Tiger Bay from 22:30hrs.
The winners of the tourney will walk away with the championship trophy and $600,000 while the second, third and fourth-placed sides will collect $300,000, $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
Following the end of the initial group stage, the winner of the group will receive $25,000 while the second, third and fourth finishers within the group will receive $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively.
The venues for the event include the Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground, the Tucville Community ground and the Ministry of Education ground.
