UG football tournament designed to foster student interaction

By Avenash Ramzan

With the aim of fostering student interaction at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen Campus, one student has planned a football tournament with a twist.

Set for February 2, the small goal competition embraces the concept of teams comprising a mixture of players from different faculties.

According to organiser, Jafar Gibbons, the feedback has been encouraging and he is looking forward to an exciting event.

“What the tournament is designed to do is allow players to create their own team, regardless of which faculty they’re from…so then you’re not only having interactions among teammates, but as a tournament (it will enable) students (to) cross paths and what better way to foster interaction other than through sports,” Gibbons explained.

The tournament will be round-robin, followed by the knockout stage, which will basically be three games- two semi-finals and the final.

“But that would be only if there are eight registered teams. If I do get over 16 teams, which is definitely looking like the reality right now, it will definitely have to be for two weeks,” Gibbons said.

Games will be five minutes per half, with any goal scored in the final two minutes being recorded as a double.

“It’s going to be real exciting, and the guys are really excited to have that kind of tournament on campus. I must say thank you to the Sport Organiser Ms. (Lavern) Fraser for letting that be a reality,” Gibbons added.

Gibbons, a sports aficionado and first year International Relations student at the institution, explained what prompted him to embark on such an initiative.

“I’ve been observing the culture of the other students for a while now, and I’ve realised there’s not too much for sports, as in what the guys or girls would want. I think this kind of excitement is something that the students want, and based on their reactions to the tournament (thus far), I am definitely seeing that this is something students would like,” the organiser pointed out.

Teams would be vying for trophies and medals, while there would be a special prize for the Most Valuable Player. That outstanding footballer would receive “a patriotic shoe”, compliments of local company Signature Move.

Registration can be done by emailing Gibbons at [email protected] or calling 679-5102.