National Futsal Championship returns with $3M first-prize and new school segment

The National Futsal Championship in Guyana is set for a major expansion, returning on December 9th with a historic increase in prize money and the introduction of a new schools’ tournament to boost grassroots development.

The third edition of the event, coordinated by the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation and sanctioned by the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), will run through to January 2nd at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The primary adult division will feature 48 teams competing for a greatly enhanced G$3,000,000  first prize, marking a significant elevation of the tournament’s status.

Beyond the senior prize fund, the organisers confirmed their commitment to nurturing future talent by introducing two new divisions:

Under-18 Schools’ Tournament: Twenty schools will compete for a top prize of a G$750,000 grant, intended to fund specific school projects.

The inclusion of the schools’ component, with teams like South Ruimveldt and Charlestown Secondary competing, aims to build a strong foundation for the discipline.

Women’s Division: Eight female teams will vie for a first prize of G$500,000, ensuring competitive exposure for the growing women’s game.

Kashif Muhammad, Co-Director of the Kashif and Shanghai Organisation, noted that the continued staging of the tournament is primarily aimed at improving the overall quality of football in the country, with particular emphasis now being placed on the school level.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali is a known supporter of the initiative, which aims to provide structured competition and financial incentives across all levels of the sport.

The prize structure for the senior men’s division awards the runner-up G$1,000,000, while third and fourth place receive G$500,000 and G$250,000, respectively.