A $500,000 grand prize will be on the line at the Parade Ground in Georgetown, waiting for women’s football teams from around the country to grab, when the Maid Marian Wheat-Up women’s tournament gets underway from November 30 to January 4, 2025.
Thus far, the tournament has 10 confirmed teams hailing from Georgetown, Lethem, and Bartica who will compete under a seven-a- side format.
During the official launch at the National Milling Company (NAMILCO) head office at Agricola, Greater Georgetown on Wednesday morning, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President Wayne Forde touched on their intention to revive Parade Ground to offer the female players a spot in the lucrative year-end window.
The GFF President shared, “We’re thrilled to open this new chapter together, one which we aim to make an annual event, that will continue to grow and include more teams in the coming years. This year, the Maid Marian Wheat-Up Women’s Cup will take place at the historic Parade Ground in Georgetown. We’re grateful to the Mayor and City Council of Georgetown for allowing us to use this iconic venue, where we have already begun upgrading the facilities.
“Our goal is to re-establish Parade Ground as a key venue for grassroots football, reviving the vibrant football spirit that once defined that space.
“For the second time, our women will share the end-of-year platform traditionally dominated by men, with the opportunity to showcase their talent and passion for the game on an equal stage,” Forde said, simultaneously confirming the GFF’s intention to also host a men’s year-end tournament.
Citing widespread issues with garnering support for women’s football, NAMILCO Finance Controller Fitzroy McLeod expressed the company’s elation to support the sport.
McLeod highlighted, “As is the case in many jurisdictions, women’s football in Guyana often plays second fiddle to the male version of the beautiful game. It is, therefore, more negatively impacted on by resource limitations of all sorts and despite this and other challenges, the Lady Jaguars continue to make Guyana proud. What is urgently needed is more developmental opportunities for our future stars, and more exposure so that they can put on show their significant skills. Now, during this festive season, NAMILCO is pleased to spearhead this process through its Maid Marian brand of fine flours.”
Meanwhile, Women’s Football Association President Andrea Johnson articulated high hopes for a competitive tournament.
“We can’t wait to see the talent, the drive and the spirit that each team will bring. So, as we get ready to kick off, let’s remember that every goal scored, every tackle made and every cheer is a step forward for women in sports. Let’s make this a tournament to remember – full of great games, respect and camaraderie,” Johnson remarked.
With Guyana’s National Women’s Under-17 and Under-20 teams in preparation for international competition, Forde responded to inquiries on how the tournament will boost their preparation.
He divulged, “The youth female teams that are preparing for the international tournament will play in the tournament as a team as well. So, that was one of the motivations to put this on: to give them some game time. They have some international games against Suriname coming up pretty soon, but they also have games where they will play as a unit. So, they will get to run against the girls from Rupununi, Bartica, GDF, Police and so forth.”
While the championship-winning team pocket the $500,000 grand prize, second place will receive $200,000 and third place will cart off $100,000. The seven-a-side games will run for 60 minutes, with action scheduled for every Saturday in the aforementioned timeframe for the tournament.
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