By Treiston Joseph
Xtreme Clean and Maintenance Corporation on Thursday launched its inaugural 5-a-side futsal tournament dubbed the ‘Gold Rush’ with over two ounces of gold being the top prize for the winner of the event.
Twenty-four (24) teams will be on the hunt for gold as the landscaping provider has put up one of the more lucrative rewards for a futsal tournament set for later this month.
At the launching on Thursday, Managing Director of the Company, Shanai Gomes, highlighted the reason behind the futsal tournament, while sharing a bit of the services which the newly formed entity provides.
“We are a landscaping company founded in 2016 and we offer services (such as) weeding, tree trimming, planting, pressure washing, general yard maintenance and garbage disposal.
“We chose football as our inaugural event because Mr. Cambridge (Founder) grew in Hadfield Street which is prominent for football (and he) found it as the easiest way to give back to the youths,” Gomes noted.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Ivan Persaud, also weighed in on the venture, noting that event is one that the NSC is proud to support because of the young people involved.
In addition, Persaud pledged the NSC’s support to the group while wishing the organisers and the teams much success.
Meanwhile, top futsal referee, Wayne Griffith, who is a part of the Organising Committee, shared the details of the tournament while noting that good competition is expected.
The first two nights of action will feature six matches on each night with the losers getting booted.
However, the remaining 12 teams will form into three groups of four with the top two teams and the two best third place finishers advancing to the quarter-finals or the business-end of the tournament.
With teams like Sparta Boss, Back Circle, Bent Street, Goal is Money, Broad Street and Tiger Bay set to make appearances in the tournament, the quality of football is expected to provide futsal fans with thrills throughout the event.
The winners will walk away with 2.5 ounces of gold, which is equivalent to $500,000, while second will receive $200,000, third $100,000 and fourth $50,000.
The tournament is set to start on May 26 with action set to commence from 19:00h at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue.
