Lumumba plans mega bucks football tournament

President of the Alpha United Football Club, Odinga Lumumba, has announced that Alpha United in collaboration with McNeal Enterprise will be bringing a major international tournament to Guyana in the near future.

“It was the intention of McNeal Enterprise and Alpha United to hold a major international tournament between six to eight local teams and about four international teams. We’re looking at the National Stadium probably for the hosting,” Lumumba said yesterday.

Lumumba, who is a Presidential Advisor on Empowerment in the Bharrat Jagdeo PPP/C government,  stated that while all the details are yet to be finalized, what is certain is that he would be collaborating with another sponsor to bring off a successful tournament.

In terms of prize monies, Lumumba announced that a lucrative US$20, 000 will be up for grabs for the first place team, while second place will pocket US$10, 000, third place will earn US$5000 and US$2, 500 will go to the fourth place finishers.

He also disclosed that local teams will be paid an appearance fee of $200, 000, with an additional $200, 000 in it for them after they complete the round robin qualifiers.

Not finishing there, Lumumba further related that a system of profit sharing will be put in place where 25% of the profit will go to the Alpha United Football Club, while 25% will be shared between the national female team, Lady Jaguars, and the male national team, Golden Jaguars, to supplement their stipend when they have to play overseas. Another 25% will be shared among the clubs for their participation.

Lumumba stated that further information will be available as arrangement develops.