Mash street-style futsal Championship set for February 18

After a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, fans and lovers of street-style football will get opportunity to again witness the best teams in Georgetown going toe-to-toe for over $1 million in prize money and bragging rights for the title of “the best team in the Capital City”.
The date is February 18, and the venue is the legendary National Park, famous for hosting Mashramani, the festival involving celebration after hard work.
According to organiser Edison Jefford, the winning team will receive $500,000, while second-, third- and fourth- place finishers would collect $250,000, $150,000 and $100,000 respectively.

In an invited comment, Jefford said the one-day competition is expected to attract the 16 best teams in Georgetown, and that some of the teams already confirmed are Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Gold is Money, Back Circle, Stabroek Ballers, Team Cruel, Five O, Family, North East La Penitence, and Sophia, among others.
The organiser further revealed that because of the popularity of the tournament, and because of teams previously excluded requesting, he was left with no choice but to increase the number of participants from eight to sixteen, in order to accommodate the appeal of the teams who had previously been omitted.
“I was left with no choice, since team representatives were calling me (and) asking to be included in the tournament; and because these were teams that previously supported my past tournaments, I felt compelled to accede to their request,” Jefford said.
According to this experienced organizer, the event brings the weight of six years of hosting similar tournaments across the country. He added that what has been done is simply consolidating an event that had previously run for six nights into one night of exhilarating action.
“We believe that the teams will welcome that new format because of its brevity. This is the direction sports are taking right now; you must look at the popularity of Twenty20 cricket to understand what is taking place right now,” Jefford has said.
Jefford informed that during the one-day event, he is hoping to create the ambience associated with Mashramani celebrations, which is associated with colour and intense rivalry that he assured would be replicated with on-court competition as teams battle each other for the ultimate top prize.
The organizer has extended thanks to all corporate entities that have pledged their support, while Police Commissioner Clifton Hicken has also been singled out for his unwavering support.
The date when the tournament will be played would be announced shortly.