Waramadong, Paruima triumph in Upper Mazaruni football tournament

The Upper Mazaruni Under-18 Football Tournament 2024 came to an exciting close on Sunday afternoon at the Edwins United Sports Ground, Waramadong village, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The female final was a nail-biting showdown between Waramadong and Jawalla villages. The first 45 minutes of the clash had many near misses, but ended in a tense 0-0 draw. In the second half, Waramadong’s Ester Lival broke the deadlock with a brilliant solo run in the 48th minute. The excitement continued as Edilsa Daniels extended the lead with a stunning shot from outside the 18-yard box in the 62nd minute. Waramadong held firm in the remaining minutes and the host village triumphed, emerging as the inaugural girls’ champions in the Upper Mazaruni U-18 tournament.
In the boys’ final, defending cham

pions Paruima showcased their dominance with an explosive performance. Lot Granes opened the scoring in the 14th minute for the 2023 champions, setting the tone for the match.
Kimron Thomas then extended Paruima’s tally in the 28th minute for a 2-0 score at the half. In the second segment, Darnis George made it a 3-0 affair in the 50th, while Miguel Gonsalves pushed their tally to 4 in the 58th minute. Thomas returned to complete his brace in the 60th minute, thus sealing the 5-0 win for Paruima.
Paruima’s impressive 5-0 victory not only helped them to retain their crown in the Upper Mazaruni U-18 Football Tournament 2024, but also highlighted their defensive prowess as they conceded zero goals throughout the tournament.
Earlier in the girls’ third-place play-off, Kako downed Kamarang 6-0. Rovin Morris had an early brace in the 12th and 23rd minutes, while Grenaive Brown added another in the 17th minute. While Kim Ronald found the back of the net in the 48th minute, Haynes Ronald added her name to the scoresheet with a brace in the 42nd and 52nd minutes.

Kako’s boys also lifted the third-place trophy in their division after sneaking past Waramadong 2-1. Waramadong’s Andy Larson opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, but Kako’s Kayleon Williams levelled the scores in the 24th minute. Stephon Williams of Kako later handed his team the lead and the winning goal in the 34th minute.
In individual awards, Waramadong’s Ester Livan was adjudged the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) while her teammate Julianna Thomas was the best goalkeeper. With four goals to her personal tally, Kako’s Rovina Morris was the highest goalscorer while Jawalla’s Roslyn Henry picked up the young player award.
On the other hand, Paruima’s Miguel Gonsalves was the boys’ MVP while his teammates Gordo Masters and Kimron Thomas (6 goals) were the best goalkeeper and highest goalscorer respectively. Kamarang’s Audwin Thomas received the young player award in that division.
The Upper Mazaruni tournament was sponsored by Guyana Beverage Inc under its Busta and Turbo brands and also received support from MVP Sports.