The seventh edition of the Mashramani Street Football Championship is slated to kick off on February 1 with 32 teams vying for the coveted top prize in one of the country’s premier ‘small goal’ football tournaments.
In a press release yesterday, host of the event Sports Management Inc (SMI) said that due to the mammoth response of teams last year, this time around it is forced to include preliminary rounds in communities before the grand finale on February 15 at the National Park.
“Last year we hosted the event on one night, and a lot of teams complained about being left out and being given the opportunity to win the title.
We have come up with a way to address that this year given the amount of teams that want to play in the tournament,” the release stated.
“We will host three preliminary nights in Pouderoyen, Back Circle and Mocha before the grand finals at the National Park on February 15. The semi-finals, third place playoff and finals will be held at the National Park.”
Stabroek Ballers are the defending champions in the tournament that featured 16 of the top teams last year following its return.
Despite a hiatus in 2023, the sixth edition of the event returned to the annual ‘small goal’ calendar last year. “This event brings with it the weight of six years of hosting and developing similar tournaments across the country,” the release continued.
The winner will pocket $500,000, second place $300,000, third place $200,000 and fourth place $100,000. Trophies will also be given to teams placing first to third and prizes will be given to the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament and the Highest Goal Scorer.