The organisers of the National Futsal Championships have given players more incentives to compete feverishly, as the much-anticipated tournament kicked off on Tuesday night at the National Gymnasium on Mandela Avenue.
64 male teams and 6 female teams, encompassing hundreds of players in the shortest format from across the country, will compete over the next 5 weeks for millions in cash and prizes in the event, coordinated by the renowned Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.
Delivering the feature address at the tournament’s opening was Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., who touted the history-making event as a means of providing more opportunities to underprivileged communities.
“Our initial focus was not just for Futsal. Our initial focus was how could we get closer to you so, that we could make a positive impact in your life by opening up the doors that we can open up for you. All of these things have happened, and there are lots of success stories that happened already; but those success stories don’t just end here today by me saying it. It’s just me saying it so you can know where the opportunities are,” he said.
Guyana Energy Conference and Expo CEO, Kiana Wilburg
The Sport Minister continued, “When we decided that we wanted to do this and in a very special way, when you see the photographs, you will realise never have you seen this organised Futsal happen in this way. And I would like to congratulate the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.”
Meanwhile, the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo was announced as a sponsor on opening night, where their CEO, Kiana Wilburg, disclosed plans for a follow-up tournament.
Wilburg divulged, “We have been ramping up, particularly in the past year, initiatives that support the development of our youths. And in keeping with this, we’re proud to announce that, for the first time, we will host the Guyana Energy Conference Futsal Championship in partnership with one of the legends withing Guyana’s Sporting organisations, and that is the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation.
“And trust me, we will match the prizes that you will be playing for today,” the Guyana Energy Conference CEO added.
In addition to the 16-team tournament, the Energy Conference would also be aiding in boosting the tournament’s individual prizes, according to Organiser Kashif Muhammad.
A look at the teams during the tournament’s opening ceremony
“This year, we decided that we will not give a trophy for the best goalkeeper or the person who scores the most goals, or the MVP for women or men. We will not give that; we will give $30,000. But then what happened, their company [Guyana Energy Conference] came onboard and said we want to up that,” Muhammad announced, “So, the Guyana Energy Conference will be giving a motorcycle for every single one of those prizes. Motorcycles for the MVP males and females, motorcycle for the best goal keeper, and motorcycle for the person who scores the most goals in this tournament.”
Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr. executing the official kickoff of the National Futsal Championships
On opening night, the likes of Bent Street ‘B’ (1-0 against Street Vibes), Festival City (Walk over), Albouystown ‘A’ (3-2 Sophia Ballers), Stabroek Ballers (8-2 Mighty Rulers) and Sparta Boss (12-0 Melanie) were all in the winners’ circle.
