The Guyana Football Federation [GFF] in partnership with ANSA McAl yesterday launched the Stag Beer ‘Super 16 Year-end Tournament’.
The Green City Sports Bar on D’Urban Street was the venue for the ceremony. Among the teams that will feature in the event are defending champion Guyana Defence Force, Fruta Conquerors, Milerock, Western Tigers, Victoria Kings, Buxton United, Ann’s Grove, Den Amstel, Rivers View from Bartica, Rupununi’s Guyana Rush Saints as well as a representative from Berbice and Essequibo.
To date, the GFF has failed to pay the Elite League clubs monies owed in excess of $14 million dollar for season III.
Director of Competitions Ian Alves, disclosed yesterday that three clubs following a playoff involving the East Demerara Football Association (EDFA) champion, Soesdyke Falcons of the East Bank Football Association (EBFA), as well two Georgetown Football Association (GFA) clubs will also be involved.
He further revealed that the playoff will be staged on November 30th and December 2nd.
The playing dates for the official tourney are December 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd for the group round, with quarterfinals slated for December 25th and 26th. The semi-finals are penciled for December 29, with the grand finale pegged for January 1st.
The winner of the event will pocket $2,000,000 and the championship trophy, while the second and third place finishers will collect $1,000,000 and $500,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, GFF President Wayne Forde stated, “Ultimately, the public has been calling for a vibrant year-end tournament. We’ve stated in the early days of our administration that we’re going to consolidate year-end football; this is one step in doing that.”
According to Forde, “We still have a lot of work to do in 2019, but ultimately our goal is to have a tournament that conveys the unity and the harmony that the football fraternity needs. We are drafting the regulation as we speak.”
He further added, “A large chunk of the proceeds, after we have covered our expenses will go towards the members, so it’s all part of generating some revenues that will go back into the football.”
Nigel Worrell, STAG Beer Brand representative stated that his company is pleased to partner with the federation to stage the event.
