Having bided its time throughout the pandemic, the Magnum Futsal Independence Cup will be back with a proverbial bang tonight.
Representatives of Gold is Money and Alexander Village teams take a grab at the first-place trophy, surrounded by Edison Jefford, Jamal Baird (L), Tristan Freeman, Father Moey, Esan Griffith (R) and the Magnum brand ambassadors
Having been forced to change venues, the event will now take place at the National Park in Georgetown, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm tonight. Over 24 teams have been confirmed for this Futsal action, which would feature some of the nation’s biggest names in the format, inclusive of the belligerent ‘Gold is Money’ team.
Organizers launched the highly-anticipated event at the Fireside Grill in Garnett Street, Kitty on Saturday, the Grill also being sponsors of the tournament.
Representing the title sponsors, Jamal Baird, the Senior Brand Manager for Magnum and Campari, spoke of the entity’s corporate social responsibility and its eagerness to stick with the explosive event.
“This is a historic moment for both grassroots football and Magnum Tonic Wine, in collaboration with San Sports. This tournament will be our fourth hosting, and (we are) looking forward for it for the future. Magnum Tonic Wine remains humble in the way of giving back (through) corporate social responsibility, and also this will be an exhilarating tournament,” Baird shared at the launch on Saturday afternoon.
Echoing similar sentiments was Lucozade Brand Manager Tristan Freeman, who spoke extensively on the brand’s commitment to providing youths with meaningful pastimes. Freeman related, “The brand doesn’t just want to be about selling and making profit, we also want to give back; and this is a perfect way of giving back. Since the tournament initiated, the brand has been with the tournament, and we want to continue to go along that line, by giving back to youths and supporting.”
The Magnum Independence Cup has put Gy$1.4M on the line for the participating teams; with the champion team pocketing $700,000. The second-place finisher would walk away with $400,000; third place with $200,000 and fourth place would have to settle for $100,000. Each cash prize would be accompanied by a trophy.
Aside from those prizes, organizers have committed to rewarding outstanding individual performances, such as highest goal-scorer and MVP. As such, Organizer Edison Jefford has promised a spectacular tournament, which will see the final being played on May 21st.
“This is the first major football event for 2022. Out of the pandemic, and we understand the challenges, and this is an established event. We were determined to ensure that it continues,” he expressed.
With a smile, Jefford added: “From that perspective, we believe that this tournament will be very significant for sport in Guyana.”
Seven games are expected to be played this evening when the tournament commences. Magnum, Lucozade, MVP Sports, Fireside Grill and Chill and Nigel Hinds Financial Services are among the sponsors of the event.
