The Saint Lucia International Masters Football Invitational, taking place from May 20 to 25, is set to continue this weekend, with the excitement expected to escalate.
Organized by Veterans in Sports (VIS) Inc., the competition attracts a significant following of local and international players, along with enthusiastic fans who flock to the island for the thrill of the game. Under the theme “Legends…United by Passion,” this five-day series will culminate on Whit Monday, May 25.
This year features 26 teams in the Over 40 and Over 50 categories, with participants from Barbados, Canada, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United States.
Teams have been arriving on the island since Wednesday to prepare for the matches. The tournament kicked off at two venues, the Micoud Playing Field and Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, with 10 of the 26 teams competing on the opening day.
Organizers anticipate fierce competition, as teams have shown impressive offensive skills, with 11 goals scored in the first five matches.
Match Schedule for Saturday, May 23 (DSCG):
– Masters Reloaded Int’l. vs. Gros Islet Legends – 10:00 a.m.
– Pele Masters SC vs. Caricom Masters – 11:00 a.m.
– Anse La Raye Vipers vs. RSCS Alumm (USA) – 12:00 p.m.
– Defense Force (T&T) vs. Micoud United FC – 1:00 p.m. – SCC Bimshire (B’dos) vs. Central Vieux Fort FC – 2:00 p.m.
– Masters Reloaded vs. Pele Masters – 3:00 p.m.
– Gros Islet Veterans vs. St Francois Nationals FC (T&T) – 4:00 p.m.
– Defense Force vs. SCC Bimshire – 5:00 p.m.
– Central Vieux Fort FC vs. Valley Legends – 6:00 p.m.
Match Schedule for Sunday, May 24 (DSCG):
– All Blacks vs. Ballers Forever (USA) – 9:00 a.m.
– St. Francois Nationals vs. Anse La Raye Vipers – 10:00 a.m.
– FC Lancers vs. Hope International – 11:00 a.m.
– Valley Legends vs. Defense Force – 11:00 a.m.
– Ballers Forever vs. Sunrise Masters FC – 12:00 p.m.
– Central Vieux Fort FC vs. Defense Force – 1:00 p.m.
– RSCS Alumm vs. St. Francois Nationals – 2:00 p.m.
– Sunrise Masters vs. VFort South – 3:00 p.m.
– SCC Bimshire vs. Valley Legends – 4:00 p.m.
Qualifiers began on Sunday evening and will continue on Whit Monday, culminating in the playoffs and finals of the tournament.
Results from Opening Round Matches (Wednesday):
At the DSCG:
Over 50 Division:
– Caricom Masters edged Gros Islet 1-0, with Ansgar Herman scoring the decisive goal to put Masters ahead in Group A.
Over 40 Division:
– Marchand defeated Lancers FC 2-1; Klen Jules opened the scoring for Lancers before Carn Laure equalized with a header. Lincoln Philip, the evergreen talisman from Marchand, scored the winning goal.
At the Micoud Playing Field:
Over 50 Division Group B:
– Vieux Fort South Masters overcame Labowi Connections 1-0, with Ernie Nanton netting the winning goal.
Over 40 Division Group B:
– Vieux Fort South and Dennery All Blacks played to a 1-1 draw; Calixte Biscette opened scoring for All Blacks, and Brad Camille equalized for VFS.
Group A:
– Valley Legends and Micoud United FC finished 2-2; Legends took the lead through Alvin Emmanuel. Valentine Peter and Brendon Desir put Micoud ahead before Sampson Robinson equalized late in the match.
On Thursday, at the Micoud Playing Field:
– La Familia defeated La Clery 7-0.
– Dennery bested VF South Veterans 4-0.
– Micoud United FC and Central Vieux Fort played to a 0-0 draw.
Alvin Malaykhan, CEO of Veterans in Sports, expressed pride in the growing masters football tournament, now a key event in the local sports tourism calendar.
“We have the best masters football tournament in the Caribbean,” he stated, noting the participation of over 300 players, including 12 foreign teams.
He highlighted the tournament’s significant economic impact and emphasized the quality of football and the vibrant atmosphere in Saint Lucia as essential elements: “It’s a safe, wonderful place to experience excellent football with Caribbean flair.”
[R.A].