By Travis Seymour | November 13, 2024
The first edition of the Maid Marian Wheat-Up Women’s Football Tournament will officially begin on November 30, as ten teams from across Guyana converge at the Parade Ground to compete in the exciting 7-aside competition.
This six-week tournament will run until January 4, with all games played on Saturdays.
The tournament aims to provide more opportunities for the development of women’s and girls’ football, with President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde, emphasizing the importance of increasing engagement in the sport.
He noted that women’s football has been historically dominated by men, and this competition will give locally based players the chance to stay active and prepare for upcoming international tournaments.
“We see the need to create more opportunities for the development of women and girls in football,” Forde stated. “This fast-paced, shorter version of the game will help develop the talent pool.”
The event will see teams such as Lethem, Guyana Defence Force (A and B teams), Fruta Conquerors, Santos, Police, Bartica, and Potaro Strikers battle it out for supremacy.
The winning team will receive half a million dollars, while the second and third-place teams will win $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.
NAMILCO’s Managing Director, Bert Sukhai, expressed the company’s continued commitment to supporting sports in Guyana as part of their corporate social responsibility.
“We are very proud to continue investing in the development of sports, and we look forward to the tournament’s success in future years,” he said.
Andrea Johnson, President of the Women’s Football Association, noted that this tournament will serve as a steppingstone for the growth of women’s football in Guyana, paving the way for the next generation of players to make their mark on the international stage.
The tournament promises to be an exciting event for local football fans, showcasing the talent and passion of female athletes from across the country.