Top 32 teams identified
Organisers of the highly popular “Keep Your Five Alive” Futsal Competition have released the fixtures for the first three nights of action, at the National Gymnasium.
The tournament, now in its sixth year, has grown in status and provides fans with the level of excitement and skill that are synonymous with the shorter format of the sport.
Kevin Adonis, whose idea it was to create the tournament six years ago, said the event is unlike any other played in Guyana where a team’s chances of progressing in the competition depends entirely on its ability to ‘keep its five players alive’, meaning if you lose a game there isn’t a second opportunity to ‘stay alive’.
“The concept is one that I like it allows a team only one opportunity to play for the prizes and because of this all the teams come well prepared to play at a high level and so the fans are the real winners,” Adonis said.
According to the organiser, because this is the sixth edition, he is hoping to increase the total prize monies and perhaps even add some incentives for outstanding individual performances.
This, he however, indicated will depend on the support the tournament receives from the corporate community.
“I am working hard to make this possible and the first prize I have in mind is $600,000 which simply means that $100,000 is being allotted for each year that the tournament has been in existence.”
Adonis disclosed that 32 of the best teams in the country have been invited including defending champions West Front Road ‘Gold is Money’ and losing finalist Future Stars.
Among some of the other teams making the shortlist are Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Leopold Street and most of the zone champions of the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Competition.
Teams will be represented from Georgetown, Linden, Berbice, West and East Demerara and the East Coast of Demerara, making it a true reflection of wide participation and the current standing of the competition.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday, July 7, at the National Gymnasium, with five matches scheduled to be played.
On opening night action, Rhythm Stars (Mocha) tackles recently-crowned Berbice Guinness champions Trafalgar and this encounter will be followed by the clash between Agricola and Broad Street.
Kingston, the square off against Swag Entertainment out of Linden, before another Mining Community team NK Ballers take on Sophia.
In the final game of the night, Leopold Street play host to East Coast Melanie Damishana.
The fixtures for the next two playing days are seen below.
On Thursday, July 12, Buxton Diamond engage West Demerara Showstoppers, while the young Uprising team from the East Coast go up against Linden’s Silver Bullets.
ESPN then collide with East Coast BV, before Ann’s Grove and North East La Penitence take to the court.
The rejuvenated Tiger Bay unit then faces California Square, before Sparta Boss and Tucville bring the curtains down for the evening.
On Saturday, July 14, Albouystown and Upsetters get things going, before Future Stars and Alpha Warriors square off.
Back Circle then tackles Kitty Hustlers, before Linden’s Dave and Celena All Stars go up against Bent Street.
The reigning champs West Front Road then close the night with a clash against Alexander Village.
The launch of the competition will be done on a date to be announced.
