The 5th edition of the Petra Organization coordinated ‘MVP Sports Futsal Championship’, which is also being sponsored by the Magnum and Lucozade Energy Drinks, was officially launched yesterday at the Brandsville Hotel, Prashad Nagar.
The 24-team event which is scheduled to start on Thursday will be played over the duration of eight days. The final will occur on November 19th. The matches will be staged at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Homestretch Avenue.
The teams will contest an initial elimination format, with the resulting 12 teams advancing to the group stage which will feature three groups of four teams.
Upon the conclusion of the round-robin stage, the top two finishers and the two best third place teams will progress to the quarterfinal section. Also, the respective group winners will receive $50,000, whilst the second, third, and fourth-place finishers will collect $30,000, $20,000, and $10,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, the winner of the tournament will collect $500,000, whilst the second, third and fourth-place finishers will receive $300,000, $200,000, and $100,000 respectively, and the corresponding accolade.
The competition will also feature a four-team female component. The competing teams are Santos, Fruta Conquerors, Guyana Defence Force, and Guyana Police Force.
The resulting winner will pocket $200,000, while the second, third, and fourth-place finisher will receive $100,000., $50,000, and $20,000 respectively.
Troy Mendonca, Co-Director of the Petra Organization, said that sports have the capacity to bring together individuals from all walks of life, adding that the community teams have essentially transformed into institutions given their respective popularity.
According to Mendonca, the resulting popularity of the format in conjunction with the emergence of the community teams, is a direct result of the Petra Organization’s initial developmental focus, adding that the entity is proud to have pivotal stakeholders such as the National Sports Commission (NSC) and MVP Sports on board in their attempt to develop the format.
Meanwhile, Steve Ninvalle, Director of Sports said, said that the NSC and by extension, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, praised the Petra Organization for not only being part of the upper echelon of sports promotion but also continuing to contribute to the development of sports for a prolonged period.
According to Ninvalle, the Petra Organization are an example for emerging promotional entities to follow, adding that the entity will continue to support the enterprise on its developmental drive.
Ninvalle noted that the government is currently engaged in pursuing the ‘One Guyana’ initiative, and that representation from other regions especially the indigenous communities, will serve as the perfect model for social cohesion.
Also, Eon Ramdeo, Managing Director of MVP Sports said, that the company is proud to partner with the Petra Organization which has recorded tremendous strides on the local football circuit, adding that football is amongst the sports where significant investment is required for its advancement.
According to Ramdeo, the event highlights the development that the Petra Organization has undertaken in football over the years and that the company is happy to be a partner with the institution in the advancement of youth and grassroots-level football.
On the other hand, Errol Nelson, Ansa McAl Trading representative thanked the promotional entity for affording the company the opportunity to be a part of the tournament, adding that it fits the company’s objective of fostering social cohesion and development.
