After a prolonged absence, the Inter-Ministry/Corporations Banks Beer Futsal Championship was officially launched yesterday at the Ministry of Tourism boardroom on Camp Street.
The event which is slated to feature 32 teams, will be played on an initial round-robin basis for over $500,000 in cash and prizes. Upon the conclusion of the group stage, the top two finishers will advance to the knockout round. Every match will be 20 minutes in duration.
Group-A will feature Qualfon, Oasis Water, Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs while group-B will consist of the Ministry of Communities, the National Insurance Scheme, Wartsila and the Department of Forestry.
Group-C will consist of Republic Bank, Guyana Fire Service, Guyana National Industrial Company and Customs whilst group-D will feature the Ministry of Tourism, Bank of Guyana, Caribbean Airlines and the Ministry of Public Health.
Group-E will be made up of Office of the Prime Minister, the Guyana Power and Light, Barbers Association and Courts Guyana Incorporated while Bounty Farm Limited, the Department of Sport, Banks DIH Limited and the Media will feature in group-F.
In Group-G, Digicel, Lands and Surveys, the Ministry of the Presidency and the Ministry of Social Protection will battle while group-H will comprise of John Fernandes Limited, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company, Transport and Harbours and Guyana Geology and Mines Commission.
The winner of the event will receive the championship trophy and $200,000 while the second, third and fourth-positioned teams will receive $150,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
Speaking also on behalf of Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes, Director of Sports Christopher Jones during the feature address said that sports can play a vital role in the tourism section while commending Banks DIH Limited for their consisted support in the development of sport.
He further noted that other corporate entities can following the path charted by the company in their support of sport, declaring that the public should come out and support their respective ministries and corporations in the tournament.
Brian Choo-Hen, Banks Beer Brand Executive said that the company has always been committed to the development of sports more so football and that the company will stand staunch and committed towards this event. He urged the fans to come out and support their respective teams.
Director of Marketing and Communication at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Rawle Toney congratulated Banks DIH Limited for going through the correct procedures to facilitate the tournament.
Tournament Co-Coordinator Esan Griffith said that he is very pleased to have Banks DIH Limited and the Government on board to make this tourney a reality, stating that part of the event’s proceeds will go towards the fighting of breast cancer.
In the opening fixture today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall, Qualfon will oppose Oasis Water at 18:30hrs while at 19:00hrs, the Ministry of Agriculture will oppose the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs. In the third fixture at 19:30hrs, the Ministry of Housing will tackle the National Insurance Scheme.
The fourth matchup at 20:00hrs will pit Wartsila against the Department of Forestry while Republic Bank will lock horns with the Guyana Fire Service from 20:30hrs. At 21:00hrs, Guyana National Industrial Company will face off with Customs while Ministry of Tourism will take on Bank of Guyana from 21:30hrs.
In the final matchup of the night, Caribbean Airlines will lock horns with the Ministry of Public Health. Action in the event is slated to continue at the same venue with another eight matches on Monday.
