This year’s Inter-Market Football Competition will  now take the brand of Banks DIH’s recently released Power Stout.

Banks DIH’s Troy Peters and Tournament coordinator Oneil Durant shake on the launching of the fourth annual tourney as Lawrence Griffith (right), Michael Vanderstoop (2nd L) and Mark Bradford (Left) look on. (Orlando Charles Photo)

The fourth annual tournament was officially launched in the conference room of the sponsors main building, yesterday but the  tournament kicks off  July 27 with Wales opposing defending champions La Pentitence in the first match which commences at 4:45pm while Kitty challenges Buxton at 6:30pm.

Sixteen teams which included Stabroek, New Amsterdam, Vendors Arcade, Wismar, Bourda, Ann’s Grove, East Ruimveldt, Stewartville/Leonora, Merimans Mall, Golden Grove, Plaisance, Parika, Kitty, Buxton, Wales and La Penitence will be battling for the top prize of $150,000 and the Inter Market Trophy.

Tournament runners up will receive $100,000, third place – $ 75,000 and fourth  – $50,000 while individual prizes such as Highest Goal Scorer, Best Goal Keeper, Fair Play and Most Valuable Player (MVP) are also up for grabs.

The tournament has had more response from numerous communities as they now have a complete tournament of participants (16) since prior tournaments have had only 13 teams giving the organizers no other choice than to change the format of qualification in the top knockout stages.

Banks DIH’s Troy Peters stated at the press briefing that “the company recognizes the importance of community involvement and that’s why we have decided to remain coming onboard to support the Inter-Market Football Competition.”

When Peters furthur commented on the tournament that will be run under the Stout brand with the theme ‘Substance is everything’, he urged the teams to follow the rules to ensure the smooth running of the tournament.

FIFA Instructor Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith noted that teams must be properly uniformed for the tourney and must have on shin guards.

Further, he asked the players to respect the referees and their decisions as their ruling is final “referees are humans too and they make mistakes just as players do.”