Winning team to cop $500,000 at ‘King of Soft Shoes’ football tournament

The ‘King of Soft Shoes’ will kick off Tuesday evening at the St. Pius Ground in West Ruimveldt, Georgetown.

Sixteen futsal teams are competing for a first-place prize of $500,000 in the straight knockout competition.

Organised by national footballers Jermin Junior and Ryan Hackett, the tournament features matches played on a field without traditional football boots, hence the ‘soft shoes’ moniker.

 Junior explained that the tournament has been a long-held ambition, made possible by recent improvements to the St. Pius Ground, including new lighting and field upgrades facilitated by the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport.

“This is something that I’ve wanted to do for a very long time,” Junor said, “but basically, the ground wasn’t up to standard and [there were] no lights. So, the Ministry made it possible to put in lights and get the ground up to standard with the sponsoring of this tournament.”

Hackett highlighted the tournament’s potential benefits for the community and player development.

“This [tournament] is [one of the] activities that a lot of young players in the communities look out to,” he said, adding that playing on grass could help players transition to the traditional pitch.

The tournament offers a total prize purse, with $300,000 for second place, $100,000 for third, and $50,000 for fourth.

Individual awards, including MVP, highest goal scorer, and best goalkeeper, will also be presented, with each winner receiving $25,000.

Among the participating teams are local football powerhouses such as Sparta Boss, Bent Street, Back Circle, Gold is Money, and Stabroek Ballers.

The tournament is scheduled to conclude on Sunday, February 16.