Footballers of the North East region have the chance to impress their local professional club DirecTV North East Stars and a chance of earning professional contracts.
And that’s just the part of the incentive when the Digicel T&T Pro League club launched the second edition of its Champions of Champions Invitational Football Tournament which kicks off in Manzanilla tomorrow.
The Sangre Grande-based Stars boasts the tournament as the biggest amateur football tournament in T&T with a first prize of $30,000 and eight clubs of the North East region inclusive of defending champion Matura Reunited.
Matches will be played in two groups with the Winners of Group A facing the runner-up in Group B in the semifinals, while Group B winner will face Group A runner-up. “The tournament is an ideal opportunity for amateur players to get noticed,” said North East Stars president Darryl Mahabir. “Last year’s tournament was very hard fought. It was a great event and really brought the North East community together.
In these troubled times, we have to give young people something positive to focus on. This tournament is very professional and there is even a cash prize for the best team manager.
Although these guys are amateur footballers, we want to encourage a level of professionalism. One of the things I notice in players coming on trials at North East Stars is a lack of professionalism,” said the Japs Fried Chicken chain of restaurants owner.
The tournament will run throughout November and December, with the final taking place at Ojoe Road Recreation Ground on New Year’s Day and will be preceded by the annual Soccer Fete—organised by North East Stars—which will feature performances by Bunji Garlin, Fay Ann Lyons, 3 Suns, Denise “Saucy Wow” Belfon, Shal Marshall and Shurwayne Winchester & You.
Tournament co-ordinator Khaty Martin-Jones can be contacted by teams interested in filling two vacant places in this year’s tournament at mobile number 374-5968.