River’s View, Paruima Champion Heritage Games Football

The most anticipated discipline at the annual Amerindian Heritage Games came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday night with two showpieces in the male and female divisions thrilling hundreds of fans at the Everest Cricket Club Ground, in Georgetown.

The female final was up first, with Region 7’s Paruima and Region 1 poised for battle.
Paruima took the lead first, through Darlys Elliman in the 10th minute. A bit of misjudgment by the Region 1 goalkeeper, Deena Fredericks saw Xiexie Thomas being able to pierce the nets in the 30th for the 2-0 lead.
However, chaos in the box in the ensuing minute resulted in the Region 7 ladies extending their lead to 3-0 as Merlyn Percy capitalized to tuck the ball into the goal in the 31st.

With the score at 3-0 at the half, Region 7 were pretty secure and looked to be on an easy journey to the title. However, Region 1 did not go down without a fight.
Feona Benjamin found the back of the net in the 45th minute for Region 1’s first strike and almost in the blink of an eye, Veronica Chatta replicated the feat to pus the score to 3-2.
But the comeback never happened as Celita Baslon buried the contest with a 78th minute strike to seal the 4-2 victory and the championship for Paruima.
The men’s final was equally exciting, featuring fresh faces.
Orealla/ Sipurata, after an even first half, took the lead first, through Sevede Savicel in the 40th+2 to head into the break with the one goal advantage.
River’s View then clawed their way back into the game, given an opening by Orealla/ Sipurata who fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty.
Western Tigers custodian Joel Yhap stepped up to the mark and made no mistake with the shot to level the score in the 55th minute. Kymani Sealey then handed River’s View the lead, netting in the 61st minute. By the 73rd, Aloysius Edwards added the icing on top with another goal for River’s View in their 3-1 triumph.
Xiexie Thomas was determined to be the most valuable player (MVP) in the Women’s competition while Kymani Sealey received the accolade in the men’s division. Both MVPs were rewarded with a trophy and $50,000 cash.
Meanwhile, both runners- up received a trophy and a $400,000 prize while the Champions pocketed $500,000 in addition to the championship trophy.