Guinness Brand Manager Lee Baptiste said fans and players can expect an exciting 2015 season of the Guinness Greatest of the Streets football tourney.
The community based futsal event which had its inception six years ago in Georgetown, has developed into a Caribbean event following the commencement of the regional tourney.
In a move to further promote the brand locally, the tourney will now be contested for the first time in the West Demerara and Berbice regions. The West Demerara leg is slated to kick off next month while the Berbice zone is expected to commence between the months of February and March.
Similarly set to be hosted during the February and March timeframe will be the third annual East Coast of Demerara zone. The mining town of Linden will commence their version during the traditional Linden Town Week activities.
Bartica is also expected to feature in the event’s national championship during the month of May. Winners of the national tourney will then travel to Trinidad and Tobago for the Guinness Caribbean Street Football Challenge in June.
With two second place finishes following finals defeats in the inaugural 2012 Caribbean event on home soil and more recently in Trinidad and Tobago in the 2014 edition, Guyana will be looking to capture the elusive Caribbean title.
Lee said there will also be heavy emphasis on the Skills Challenge which has become a highlight of the Caribbean Street Challenge. He is urging local players to prepare for the Skills Challenge.
He extended Christmas wishes to the Georgetown Zone winners North Ruimveldt and all the teams inclusive of runners-up Festival City Warriors that competed in the recently concluded zone competition.
Lee lauded the work of the zone coordinators and support staff, the Guyana Police Force and members of the media. Lee was also in high praise for football fans who have shown tremendous support over the years.
Baptiste said the management of Banks DIH Limited and Guinness International with logistical support from Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and his ministry have ensured that the tournament maintains its community-based focus and popularity.
