In excess of 32 teams have been confirmed for the inaugural ‘Million Dollar Baby’ Street-ball Championship, which is scheduled to commence on Saturday evening at the Soesdyke Junction Tarmac.
Dubbed ‘Soesdyke/Timehri versus the Rest’ by the coordinating crew, the invading competitors will emanate from the environs of Georgetown, Linden, East Coast Demerara, West Demerara, and East Bank Demerara.
The competing teams are: Gold is Money, Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Back Circle, Stabroek Ballers, North East La Penitence, California Square, Tiger Bay, Agricola, Leopold Street, Team Cruel, Family, Team Linden A, Team Linden B, Airline Ballers A, Airline Ballers B, Money Team, Junction Warriors, Team 6, Spanish, Kuru-Kururu, Seaside A, Seaside B, Kaneville Warriors, Grove, Team VZ, Circuitville A, Circuitville B, Ice House, Hilltop, Airport, Young Gunners, El Chapo, Sharp Shooters, and Old Road.
The teams will play for a winner’s purse of GYD $700,000, with the runners-up receiving $200,000, third place $150,000, and fourth place $50,000.
It will be a knockout tournament, with games lasting 20 minutes (10 minutes and a half). The tournament will kick off on December 23 before continuing on Christmas Eve (24) and Christmas Day, with the final pencilled for Boxing Day (December 26).
According to chief coordinator Wayne Griffith, the teams are asked to be at the venue before the 6 p.m. commencement, which will aid in facilitating a smooth transition of the matches.
He also notes that the registration process has exceeded its initial limit of participants, which will necessitate the staging of a playoff round, which highlights the excitement and anticipation for the tournament.
