Photo: Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner playing in El Classico 1
The second staging of “El Classico” will take place at the Football Factory on Sunday, February 23rd, after a successful first staging at the end of January. Named after the famous clash between the top two club teams in Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid, the competition is being staged at the end of each month leading up to the start of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Photo: Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner playing in El Classico 1
The second staging of “El Classico” will take place at the Football Factory on Sunday, February 23rd, after a successful first staging at the end of January. Named after the famous clash between the top two club teams in Spain, Barcelona and Real Madrid, the competition is being staged at the end of each month leading up to the start of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“Because we want the best teams to come forward and play in this competition we chose a name we thought would be fitting and “El Classico” is perfect,” explained Danielle HoLung, the coordinator of the event.
“The idea came about as a way to have young males communicate in an interactive and fun way and being rewarded for their efforts. The event is being marketed to young males within the Kingston area, but there is no discrimination as to the teams that can enter. Our aim is to create a community spirit between the competitors.”
The event is expected to attract both competitors and patrons who will come to watch and cheer on their various teams.
“We are expecting approximately five-hundred (500) patrons, as the first staging had approximately three hundred (300) people. This creates an environment suited for companies to advertise and get involved with the young people of the Kingston area. This staging of the competition is being held at the Football Factory, and we have various companies on board who will be branding the venue,” HoLung further stated.
Wray and Nephew has decided to stay on board as title sponsor after the successful first staging and will be offering a cash prize of one-hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) to the first place team of the competition, as well as drinks for the patrons.
Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner, former Reggae Boy and English Premier League Player for Bolton Warriors, who played in the first staging, has decided to come on board as the face of the competition. A percentage of proceeds will go to a charity of ‘Bibi’s’ choice. It is hoped that the presence of Gardner will help to pull patrons to support the event.
Nine teams participated in the first staging of the competition with Phoenix Academy prevailing 7-3 over “At Dem” in the final.
Players can enter the competition by sending an email expressing their interest to elclassicofootball@outlook.com or calling 1 (876) 373-1296. The registration fee is $15,000 per team, with a minimum of 6 players and a maximum of 10 players per team. (Costing is therefore roughly $1500 per member of a 10 member team).
Patrons may also enter the venue at a cost of $1000. Drinks are inclusive to both players and patrons. Kick-off is at 10am and go until 4pm. Entertainment will be provided by Dj Narity.
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