The Banks DIH sponsored Guinness “Greatness of-de Street” four-a-side football tournament got off to a flying start with host Tiger Bay mauling Leopold Street  7-2 in the feature game after Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony had declared open the event in Holmes Street, Tiger Bay Tuesday evening.

Action in the match between Tiger Bay and Leopold Street. (Clairmonte Marcus photo)

The tournament which will attract 32 Street teams is a collaborative effort of Banks DIH Ltd., Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport and the Georgetown Football Association (GFA).

Dr. Anthony said that the tournament is being staged at a time when his ministry is on a march to promote Inter-Block football tournaments countrywide.

According to the minister Anthony the response to the Inter-Block matches has been heartening and he thanked local beverage giants Banks DIH for being at the forefront of this new initiative.

Banks DIH Sales Executive Carlton Joao said the tournament is a demonstration of his company’s commitment to giving back to the communities.
“Banks DIH Ltd. is again giving back to the communities in which we operate. We …are supported in all communities throughout the length and breadth of Guyana,” he noted.

Joao said the four-a-side competition will attract teams from all wards in Georgetown and will run for the next four weeks at different venues across the city including the National Cultural Centre tarmac, Broad Street, East Ruimveldt Basketball Court and Albouystown Basketball Court with the grand finals set for the National Park tarmac.

“The winner will be crowned the “Greatest of de Streets” the official remarked.

GDFA President Troy Mendonca who gave an overview said the teams will be divided into four groups with teams competing in a preliminary competition within their group before advancing to the next round.

Teams are drawn from Lodge, Kingston, Albouys-town, Kitty, Campbellville, Lacytown, Plaisance, West Ruimveldt, North Ruimveldt, Queenstown, Charlestown, Agricola, Sophia and Werk-en-Rust.
Banks DIH Communica-tion manager Troy Peters said the idea behind the tournament was to get non-traditional teams involved in playing in an organized way and at the same time earn financial rewards.

“Street football has always been popular in Guyana but it lacked the “official” touch which is why the three organizations have teamed up for this major event,” he said.

The Burnham Court is expected to host the first set of preliminary matches on Friday evening starting at 18:00 hours under floodlights.
The final is slated for December 19 at the National Park tarmac.
The winning team will receive $200,000 with $100,000 going to the runners-up, while the third place team will take home $50,000 and fourth place $25,000.
Also present at Tuesday’s launching were Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste and City Councillor Patricia Chase-Green.