Georgetown vs The Rest-Van Rossum anticipates growth in fan base as excitement builds in knockout stages

The second Georgetown vs the Rest Football Tournament is officially in the knockout stages, which got underway on Friday at the Back Circle Tarmac. Back Circle Manager Anthony Van Rossum is anticipating an increase in the fan base.
Teams advancing to the knockout rounds were Back Circle ‘A’ and ‘B’, Albouystown, Spaniards, Festival City, Gold is Money, Showstoppers, Sophia ‘B’, Taliban, Stabroek Ballers, North East, Ztekk, Stabroek ‘A’, Family, Team Cruel, and Bent Street.

In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times Sport, Van Rossum touched on the increased level of excitement the tournament offers to fans going into the Round of 16. He said, “The year-round running was very smooth, but now we’re going into the Round of 16, which is in the knockout (stage), we’re expecting, you know, a wider scope of fans coming out and support; because, you know, the excitement is real, because now’s the time of plenty shootouts. These things are happening, so fans can expect a lot more football and a lot more excitement in the Round of 16 opening to the semifinals and finals, as we conclude on Friday, the 31st, right here in Back Circle at East Ruimveldt.”
Expounding on the tournament’s impact on the community, and indicating that organisers hope to stage it annually, Van Rossum said, “This tournament has been very productive, and I would say very effective in the community; because a lot of people, we’re getting a lot of tournaments. The vendors are only getting to bring out the product and have it sell, and everybody getting to benefit from the tournament.
“We’re hoping to make this tournament an annual thing. This is the second year, and we want to make it an annual event, so that everybody can benefit from it.”
Expressing gratitude to Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken for continued support for the tournament and for support in the Back Circle Community, Van Rossum
declared, “Okay, for the commissioner, he’s been very helpful towards this tournament and anything that regards the Back Circle community. And so you can go to the commissioner and have him support it (whatever project is being undertaken).
“He gave full support! I do need some sponsorship and so on, and taking care of all the prizes and trophies and so on. So, (on behalf of) the members of Back Circle Ballers, I just want to say (to him) ‘Thank you!’ for his continuous support, and we will continue to work on it together; Police Force (and us), to make our country safe and our community safe.”
This tournament, which ends on January 31, has seen participation of forty teams in groups of four: Back Circle “B”, Family, Stevedore Ballers, Make it Happen, Back Circle “A”, Sophia “B”, Adidas All Stars, Timehri Foot-steppers, Bent Street, Unstoppables, Broad Street, Festival City, North East, Stabroek “B”, Lodge All Stars, Victoria Eagles, Stabroek “A”, Show Stoppers, LA Ballers, Genesis, Team Cruel, North Ruimveldt, Albouystown, Ballerz Empire, Gold is Money, Ztekk Ballers, California Square, and Red Force. (Omar McKenzie)