– set to commence on Friday at Pouderoyen
The inaugural Rockstone Street-ball Classic, which is slated to commence on Friday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac in West Demerara, was launched yesterday at the Guyana Brewery office in Providence, East Bank Demerara.
The tournament, which will feature eight teams, four of whom will emanate from the East Bank and West Demerara environs, respectively, will utilise an elimination format.
The East Bank will be represented by Agricola, Ballers Empire, Bagotstown Warriors, and Team Family, while the West Demerara contingent will comprise of Pouderoyen Brothers, Jetty Gunners, Showstoppers, and West Side Ballers.
The eventual winner of the event will pocket $200,000 and the championship trophy, with the second, third, and fourth-place finishers walking away with $100,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively. The final for the two-day event is set for the same venue on December 6th. Seweon McGarrell, Marketing Manager of Guyana Brewery, said, “This event marks a significant milestone not only for our brand, Rockstone Tonic Wine, but also for the talented players that love street football in Guyana. Rockstone Tonic Wine is a brand rooted in boldness, resilience, and authenticity. Just as football brings people together through its energy and passion, Rockstone connects us with moments of competitiveness and celebration.”
McGarrell divulged that the overall objective is to expand the tournament to other areas in the succeeding year, which will afford more players the opportunity to display their abilities.
He further affirmed, “The Rockstone Street Classics is more than just a competition. It is a platform to shine a spotlight on the immense talent, skill, and determination within our communities. This championship is set to bring out the very best in our local teams and create unforgettable moments for fans.”
Meanwhile, Mikhail DaSilva, Guyana Brewery Trade and Marketing Executive, stated that the company has a track record of investing in the development of young people, noting that their recent contribution to the staging of league football is testament to that commitment.
He further noted that the company is once again pleased to be associated with this project, which will provide the avenue for emerging players to display their talents, adding that he envisions a successful and exciting tournament that will be guided by safety and sportsmanship.
On the other hand, tournament coordinator Esan Griffith stated that he is excited for the tournament, which he envisions will be extremely competitive given the quality of the teams, adding that the street-ball has evolved into a genuine format that has attracted players and fans from every corner of society.
Complete Tournament Fixtures
Quarterfinal round: Friday, November 29th
(1): Team Family vs. Bagotstown Warriors
(2): Agricola vs. Ballerz Empire
(3): Pouderoyen Brothers vs. Westside Ballers
(4): Jetty Ballers vs. Showstoppers
Semifinal Round: Friday, December 6th
(5): Winner of 1 vs. Winner of 2
(6): Winner of 3 vs. Winner of 4
3rd Place
(7): Loser of 5 vs. Loser of 6
Final
(8): Winner of 5 vs. Winner of 6
