When the proverbial curtains came down on the inaugural 592 Inter-Village Football Tournament, the Friendship Village football team were crowned champions of the event, after recording a compelling 1-0 victory over their Golden Grove counterparts.
That action took place on Wednesday, January
1st 2020; and on Monday, January 13, 2020, the prizes for the top performers
were handed over to the respective teams at the Beterverwagting premises of the
ANSA McAL company.
Speaking at the simple handing-over ceremony, promoter of the event, Eon
Havercone, aka Father Moey, made the following comments:
“I would say the 592 Tournament was a success. Even though we had a few
hiccups, it never overshadowed the tournament.
“We want to thank all the sponsors that came on board and stuck by us to the
very end; and it ended on a high note, far greater than what we expected.
“East Coast have welcomed this tournament, and are eagerly waiting for the
second edition of this tournament. When we saw the support that this tournament
had, we knew that football was alive on the East Coast.
“I just want to say congratulations to the
teams for their performance, and to everyone for the work they put in… It is
our main goal to make football play again on the East Coast, as it is an
important tool. This sport keeps a lot of youths off the streets, and football
can be used to help them.”
Also making remarks, captain of the Friendship side, Okeme Edwards, said the
tournament was excellent and was very competitive. He noted that the games were
clean and fun, and said it is his wish that the tournament would be staged
again, because it has been a while since the East Coast had been involved in
competitive football.
He described this tournament as an excellent start, and said he is optimistic
that it would return bigger and better in its second edition.
Manager of the 592 Beer Brand, Seweon McGarrell, described the tournament as having brought action and hype through the five weeks of intense football that was played with competitive spirit and with results beyond his expectation.
McGarrell declared it the goal of ANSA McAL to bring people together through the hosting of such tournaments, and he expressed hope that these tournaments would teach the younger generation the value of discipline and cooperation.
McGarrell also disclosed that the positive feedback ANSA McAL had received has influenced the decision to make the event an annual one; and he urged players to be prepared for the 2020 edition.
Brand Manager of Rush energy drink, Triston Freeman, said: “Rush was the official energy drink of the 592 Tournament, and the energy drink is willing to support any other tournament in Guyana. We are here for sports, we are supporting sports, and we want to help communities and Guyana move forward with sports with the Rush energy drink.”
Friendship claimed the top prize of $500,000 and the inaugural Championship Trophy, while Golden Grove pocketed $200,000 and a trophy as the runner-up team. BV won $150,000 and the third-place trophy, while Paradise walked away with $100,000 and the fourth-place trophy.
The MVP of the tournament was Dillon Wright, while Shawn Adonis was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Both of these individuals are residents of Friendship. (Guyana Times)
