Ol Skool Ballers’ ‘Cinderella Story’ in the Guinness Cage/Three Peat Promotions Indoor football championships had the perfect ending after they dismissed Future Stars 3-1 in the grand finale on Saturday.
Quason McAulay, the event’s eventual Most Valuable Player (MVP), settled the contest at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue with a hat-trick.
In front of a large and boisterous crowd which included former national player and Banks DIH Limited Outdoor Events Manager, Mortimer Stewart, the lanky ‘hit-man’ took the fight to the tourney favourite Future Stars, breaking the deadlock with a placed right foot effort in the ninth minute.
Although guilty of wasting several chances, Future Stars managed to level proceedings in a fortuitous manner as an initial strike took a deflection and settled into the back of the net in the 12th minute.
However, the fast paced nature of the contest affected the composure of Future Stars, with McAulay bagging his second with a thunderous strike three minutes onward to make it 2-1, sending the crowd into a frenzy.
McAulay returned once more to deliver the fatal shot, breaching the backline again with a clinical effort in the 35th minute to extinguish Future Stars championship aspirations, in the process creating history as the inaugural champion.
With the result, Ol Skool Ballers walked away with $400,000 and winner’s trophy, whilst Future Stars collected $200,000 and the runners-up accolade.
Meanwhile in the third place playoff, Leopold Street downed Back Circle 2-0. Highest Goal Scorer awardee Okeene Fraser [eight conversions] and Omallo Williams scored in the 18thand 30th minute respectively.
With the win, Leopold Street walked away with $100,000 and the respective trophy, while the loser copped $50,000 and the fourth place accolade. Fraser for his individual brilliance, received a gold chain compliments of YK Investments.
“We extend special thanks to Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste for his overwhelming support and all the other sponsors including: Star Party Rentals, Faye Joseph, Claude Geddes Recreational Sports Club, National Sports Commission, Windjammer International Hotel & Cuisine, E-Networks, Woodpecker Trophies & Sport, Y.K Investments & Pawn Shop, Henry Chase, Jai Signs, Trophy Stall, the Bike Shop and John Fernandes Ltd,” stated a release from the organisers.
“The Guyana Police Force also came in for special mention for their splendid work during the championship as well as all the media outlets,” the release added.
