6th Mackeson/English/K&S K.O Futsal competition unveiled

Aug 27, 2009 Sports

$500,000 at stake for champions – 32 teams to compete

Marketing Director of Ansa McAl Trading Troy Cadogan (2nd left) at yesterday’s launch. Others at the head table from right are, Kashif Muhammad Frank ‘English

By Franklin Wilson
A whopping 32 teams drawn from Georgetown, Linden, Berbice, East Coast, East Bank and West Demerara will battle for the top prize of $500,000 when the 6th Mackeson sponsored English/Kashif and Shanghai knock-out Futsal tournament kicks off next Saturday (September 5) at the Cliff Anderson sports Hall.
The organisers have disclosed that the entire tournament will cost in the vicinity of 4.5 million dollars and Ansa McAl Trading has taken the bold step under their Mackeson brand to be title sponsor. Sterling Products and Soccer Rama are the other sponsors on board to date.
Speaking at yesterday launch Ansa McAl’s Marketing Director Troy Cadogan said his company was very pleased to be on board with the tournament for another year having been associated since 2002.
“This year we have decided to take a leap of faith to be the title sponsors, so the tournament would be known as the Mackeson English/Kashif & Shanghai knock-out Futsal tournament.
We decided to plug major sponsorship in, due to the exciting past competitions in addition to the fact that Futsal is one of the fastest growing indoor sports around the world and it’s only wise for us to be a part of an event of this nature which undoubtedly builds the Futsal tradition in Guyana.”
Cadogan made a call for fans to come out and witness the best teams in the business clashing for the biggest prize monies ever in the competition apart from attractive individual incentives.
The organisers also disclosed that they are presently in negotiations to procure a motor cycle for the MVP of the tournament. The losing finalist will walk away with $250,000 with third and fourth place guaranteed $150,000 and $100,000 respectively. The highest goal scorer and best goalkeeper will also be rewarded.
Fruta conquerors are the defending champions and have won the tournament two out of the five times so far. Western Tigers and Flamingo have also won as did Bent Street when it was run as an Inter Ward competition, once.
Unlike other competitions which are played using the round-robin and knock-out formats, this 32-team spectacle will be contested on a straight knock-out basis from the first game, meaning only winners will advance.
The teams battling are from Georgetown; Fruta Conquerors, Flamingo, Pele, Sunburst Camptown, Alpha United, Guyana Defense Force, Georgetown Football Club, Uprising, BK International Western Tigers, Santos, Northern Rangers, Black Pearl, Thomas United, University of Guyana Beacons and Riddim Squad.
East Coast; Buxton United, BV Triumph United, Bakewell Buxton Stars, Victoria Kings, Mahaica Determinators, Ann’s Grove, Golden Stars and Plaisance. Berbice; Cougars. Linden; Milerock, Bakewell Topp XX, Silver Shattas and Winners Connection. West Demerara; Pouderoyen and Uitvlugt and one team from the East Bank.
In order to make the tournament exciting and comfortable for all, the organisers will be leaving no stones unturned to ensure maximum comfort for fans and officials. They disclosed that there will be zero tolerance on smoking throughout the tournament. They will also have tight security with uniformed and plain clothes ranks on site.
Security will also be available for persons parking their vehicles within the confines of the Sports Hall.
When questioned if the National Sports Commission was on board, the organisers said they were not but would love if they can assist with the lowering of the rental for the facility.