There will be no acceptance of delinquent behaviour at the 2025 version of the Prime Minister’s Cup semi-professional football tournament.
That was made clear yesterday by Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley at the launch of the second year of the competition.
Mottley warned Barbadians that gun violence would not be tolerated at any of the 89 games in the tournament, which is slated to kick off September 1 and culminate on Independence Day, November 30.
Addressing the official launch at the BFA headquarters in Wildey, the Prime Minister praised spectators for their excellent behaviour during the 2024 edition and urged spectators to carry the same respect into this year’s tournament.
“I’m happy that last year we can report there were no incidents at all. I set a high bar because I do expect that it is possible for us to reach it and that high bar is: any guns, no football. The rule remains the same for this year.
“The one sure thing that will stop football is not a hurricane, because when the hurricane gone and move on, we can clean the field and everybody can play. The one sure thing that will stop football is gunplay. So any gunplay, it done.”
Mottley also hinted that in the future teams from neighbouring countries may be invited to participate in some capacity.
“At some point, we will start to see what we can do with some invitationals with the other islands around coming out of this tournament. That can perhaps be for some exhibition games after November 30 to make sure that whether it is St Vincent or Trinidad or Guyana or Grenada or whoever, that we can have one or two exhibition games to be able to ensure that we even display more the majesty of the skills of those who will have won 2025.”
The Prime Minister also indicated that with respect to player training, Government will meet the teams halfway.
“The organisers have indicated to me that we are prepared to bring the trainers to the individual teams this year. But in so doing, we expect you to have high participation from among your players,” she said.
“It is not because we’re looking for work to do. It is because we want to give the knowledge, the training, and the opportunities to individuals so that they can be their best and as I said, not only on the field, but off the field as well. And in so doing, we can give true meaning to our slogan: Empowering each community one goal at a time.”
The teams will be going for the same prizes as last year, with $100 000 for the champions and $25 000 for the first runners-up. Players will receive a match fee of $125 in the group stage, $150 in the Round of 16, $200 in the quarter-finals, $250 in the semis, and $300 in the final.
Head coach of the defending champions UWI Blackbirds Fabian Massiah spoke of what winning the tournament did for them.
“The tournament really changed the lives of our guys and I want to thank the PM for sticking to her word and having one in 2025,” he said.
“This tournament also helped some of our players because right now, Jaron (Oughterson) is in the United States playing in a summer league. You know Niall Reid-Stephens, who just won Sports Personality Of The Year, he is a professional as well, playing at Torrementa FC. . . Going off in August, there’ll be Rovaldo Massiah a young emerging talent, and he will be studying at Lincoln Memorial University.”
“So, the tournament did provide a platform for the players to be seen. I want to congratulate the organising committee for the streaming. Calls came from as far as England, congratulating the team on the tournament, asking questions about players, how old they are, what are their aspirations, and so on. So I want to thank you again for putting on another tournament.”
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