With the theme “Be Inspired”, the first Veterans in Sports Inc. (VISI) International Masters Football Invitational will soon get underway.
VISI will host a combined 800 overseas and Saint Lucian footballers for what will be one of the largest sports tourism events outside of international cricket organized by the ICC or the Caribbean Premier League.
Some of the visitors have been on island from as early as Wednesday of this week. They are here from the United States of America, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and the Commonwealth of Dominica.
CEO Veterans in Sports Inc. Alvin Malaykhan spoke at the launch of the festival at Kelly’s Dockyard, Sandals Halycon. He said, “At Veterans In Sports Inc., we like to stress that our brand of football is not just about competition and winning. For us it’s about impacting lives for the better. We pride ourselves in being organizers of ventures that continue to shape both the sport of football and the country in a positive and meaningful way.”
He added, “VISI will continue to lead the way. We strive to be the most innovative and to maintain excellence in whatever we do; and to be at the forefront of promoting this entertaining brand of football.”
Twenty-eight teams, management support personnel along with families and individuals will join local teams, or simply sit back, and watch how the festival unfolds.
The tournament is broken down into 40 Plus teams and 50 and Over teams, competing at three venues; the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground (DSCG), the Sab Sporting Facility (SSF) and the Gros Islet Playing Field (GIPF).
The entire Masters Football fraternity remains indebted to the strong, long-term partnership of Caribbean Alliance, Saint Lucia Insurance Limited, Saint Lucia Distillers, Peter and Company Distribution, The National Lotteries Authority, South Shoe Store, Blue Waters, Harbor Club, Mauricette’s Auto Repairs; and new partners, Digicel, Saint Lucia Tourism Authority and KFC – without their support, the event would not have been possible.
In light of the upcoming event, the organizing committee has invited Saint Lucians to ‘roll out the red carpet’ and show our visitors some true Saint Lucian hospitality.
The participating teams in the 40 Plus Category; Group A: Era Masters – Trinidad and Tobago, Real Ole Men – Grenada, SLU Metals Central Vieux Fort, Marchand Veterans and Mon Repos Sharks.
Group B: X-Men -Trinidad and Tobago, Micoud Veterans, VSADC, All Black – Dennery, Nature Boys – Dominica.
Group C: Pele Masters- USA, Flow Lancers FC, Soufriere Veterans, Valley legends, Anse La Raye Combined.
Group D: Sunday Krew – Trinidad and Tobago, Gros Islet Veterans, Labowee Connexions, Choiseul Veterans, Caricom Masters.
In the 50 and Over category, Group A: X- Men – Trinidad and Tobago, Vieux fort South, All Blacks- Dennery, Caricom Masters.
Group B: Pele Masters – USA, VSADC, Gros Islet Veterans, Marchand Veterans.
Today from 11.00 a.m. a total of 15 games are on the cards in the 40 Plus category at the DSCG, followed by four matches in the knock out stage (final eight teams). Still in 40 Plus, five games will be played at the (GIPF); while in the 50 Plus, six matches are scheduled for the SFF.
On Sunday 11th, from 11.00 a.m. sixteen games are on the cards in the 40 Plus category at the DSCG; and also at the GIPF from 11.00 a.m. where four preliminary matches will be played followed by three matches in the knockout stage. At the SSF, from 11.00 a.m. six games are on the cards in the Over 50 category.
There is no admission charge for the games, including the semifinals, the third place playoff and finals in both age groups slated for the DSCG. The action starts from 11.00 a.m. on Monday 10th, June.
