As the Magnum Mash Cup futsal competition heads into the business end, high-end sporting apparel store MVP Sports has joined the sponsorship team for the event.
MVP Sports’ Ian Ramdeo
Following a riveting, high-scoring night of futsal action on Saturday last, four teams now remain in the hunt for a $600,000 grand prize in the third edition of the Magnum Mashramani Cup futsal tournament.
While the semi-final round of the tournament featuring Bent Street, Rio All Stars, Kingston and Leopold Street is slated for Saturday, February 15; MVP Sports has taken the timely decision to jump on board the 2020 tournament.
Disclosing that the sporting apparel store, located in the Giftland Mall, will be donating the third-place prize, proprietor Ian Ramdeo stressed on the company’s commitment to sport. He further noted that he was happy to see variations of the sport being practiced.
Ian Ramdeo hands over the sponsorship cheque to tournament organizer Esan Griffith in the presence of Edison Jefford, Troy Lambert and kevin Layne
“Once again, MVP Sports is happy to be a part of this tournament and, as you said, sport in general in Guyana. The commitment from us remains the same to athletes and to sports in Guyana and we look forward to continuing the support.
“We’re very happy to see different tournament, different setting for our local athletes happening, so they can continue training and practising,” Ramdeo went on to state.
Recapping last Saturday’s action: underdog team Kingston stunned the once-dominant Spartacus in a 3-1 encounter. Stephon Reynolds was the lone scorer for Kingston with a hat-trick in the 19th, 21st and 24th minute.
Bent Street booked their ticket to the semis with a rain of goals over Sophia in a 7-2 game. Sheldon Holder led the way with a hat-trick while Colin Nelson, Daniel Wilson, and Jermain Beckles contributed for Bent Street.
With goals from Omallo Williams, Okeeny Fraser and Eon Alleyne, Leopold Street edged out Gold is Money 3-1.
It was another team effort from Rio All-Stars as they dispatched Back Circle. Job Caesar, Jermin Junior, and Lennox Cort netted one apiece for the 3-0 victory.
Anticipating Saturday’s semi-final clash, Rio All-Stars Coach Troy Lambert shared that his team was moving forward from a shaky preliminary round, and urged fans and supporters to look forward to fireworks from Rio.
“We ain’t really look back or lament too much on the past, because the past wasn’t too good for us. Eventually, we came out as one of the best third-place team in our group and we’re there in the semi-final now, so that’s just to show what a good team we are. Going forward, you can look forward to some real good football from Rio,” Lambert stated.
On the other hand, Bent Street’s Kevin Layne shared that their team was coming to play their usual composed game and were not focused on trying to do anything too special.
“My team is consisted of some seasoned players, so there’s no worry. We’ll just go out on the night and do what we have to do, because it’s football and anything can happen on the given night. So, we’re not looking forward to nothing special, we’re just going to play a good game,” Layne said.
In Saturday’s semi-finals, Rio All-Stars will tackle Kingston while Bent Street go head to head with Leopold Street at the National Gymnasium from 21:00h.
While the eventual winner of the tournament will walk away with $600,000, second place will pocket $400,000 while third and fourth place will take home $200,000 and $100,000 respectively. (Jemima Holmes)
