Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 21, 2011 Sports
All ten Regions of Guyana targeted; male and female teams to compete
By Franklin Wilson
Yet another new initiative that aims to transform the sports industry in Guyana at the Community and National level was unveiled last evening at the Princess Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara.
It’s GT&T FastBall / It’s Not Just Football. It’s FastBall; a new and innovative football tournament that will be fast, exciting and exhilarating. Beverage Giants Banks DIH is the co-sponsor of this competition.
CEO of GT&T Yog Mahaedo whose brainchild it was to have such a tournament sought to explain the idea behind the competition while noting that it aligns corporate vision with national vision – “It’s football with a twist,” he noted.
Delivering the feature remarks was the Honorable Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, while Guyana Football Federation President Colin Klass also shared remarks.
The games will be played for 30 minutes, two equal halves of 15 minutes with half time lasting for 7 minutes.
If games are scoreless at the end of regulation time, penalty kicks will decide the winner with the opposing Captain selecting the players to take the kicks.
There will also be two strategic timeouts of 60 seconds in each half available to each team while no offside rule would be in effect.
There will be a blue card instead of the traditional red which when issued means that the offending player will miss his/her team’s next game; the opposing team will be awarded a 6 second penalty.
The trophy, which will be designed and done locally, will be unveiled in a few weeks time. “The whole thing here is about engendering, creating, and building local abilities and art.”
Mahadeo informed that the tournament is set to kick off on Saturday July 2nd throughout the length and breadth of Guyana and will conclude with the grand finals (male and female) on Sunday August 7 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.
Prize monies the CEO disclosed amounts to Two Million Dollars but this amount can be improved based on the response of teams during the registration period.
GT&T and the Organising Committee, which includes Kashif & Shanghai and Hits and Jams Organisations, are aiming to attract One Thousand teams with the registration process set to kick off on June 23.
“The main aim here is to work with our partners and to ensure that from the villages, Guyanese can have a cause to hope that they can come on a national platform.
I have always had a vision and dream that we can have such activities that we can bring people from the grassroots and make them part of Guyana truly and this is one way that we want to do it,” the GT&T Boss stated.
Dr. Anthony in his feature remarks applauded GT&T for a great initiative that transcends the realms of playing in the city and its close environs.
The Minister posited that this tournament will forever change the sport in Guyana; will attract and showcase untapped talent.
“To touch each Region with such a tournament is absolutely fantastic and this initiative fits into our {Sports Ministry} Sports Plan which seeks to embrace the schools and community.”
GT&T was also complimented for fulfilling their corporate responsibility of giving back to the public by the Minister.
“It’s a win, win situation for all. This tournament will also promote fitness and help players to stay healthy which is important. I want to also comment GT&T for ensuring that females are also participating, this is a big plus.”
GFF Boss Colin Klass also commended GT&T for scoring a master class of a goal with a tournament of this nature.
He added that the GFF alone cannot take the sport to the level that it can reach but with the assistance and tangible commitment of corporate citizens like GT&T and Banks DIH and the Government of Guyana, such a goal can be realized.
“This tournament will transform the sport in Guyana, it will give players both male and female in non-traditional areas the opportunity of a lifetime to play in a tournament that can give them national recognition since there is no guarantee that a team from the traditional areas will win the big prize.”
All the invitees complimented Mr. Mahadeo, GT&T and Banks DIH for partnering to bring off what is expected to be a huge and successful tournament – FastBall/Its’ not just Football. It’s FastBall.
JAGDEO ADDING MORE DANGER TO GUYANA AND THE REGION
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