Standard Chartered launches 5-a-side tourney

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Friday March 16, 2012 00:00

 

The bank invited 32 five-a-side teams from their wholesale and consumer banking customer base in the local market to battle it out for the grand prize at the Barclays bank grounds in Block 5, Gaborone tomorrow.

According to the bank's corporate affairs manager, Ithabeleng Letsunyane, the winner will go on an all-expenses paid trip to play in Anfield in May and meet Liverpool legends. In addition, the winners and the runner-ups will walk away with Standard Chartered Bank and Liverpool branded merchandise.

Letsunyane said the tournament is held internationally in select Standard Chartered markets. Winning teams from different countries will be taken for a once in a lifetime trip to Anfield. The finalists will be treated to a professional footballer's lifestyle on arrival at Heathrow airport in London until departure. 

Each of the finalists will have a photographer following them to capture their experience. A number of other activities will be lined up for them, including a tour of the Liverpool museum.

Before the finals kick off in Anfield, the teams will get a chance to train under certified FA coaches, while on match day they will play on the Anfield turf officiated by FA match officials. Meanwhile, the local tournament is a single elimination knockout and each team will be allowed to register seven players including substitutes.

The games will be played under internationally agreed five-a-side soccer rules. Letsunyane said the day would be fun filled for families with lots of entertainment. Entrance is free. Among the participating teams are the Water Utilities Corporation (WUC), the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), the Sunday Standard, AON Botswana and the Botswana Police Service. Standard Chartered sponsors Liverpool on a four-year deal penned July 2010.