Sports: Standard Chartered holds draws for the “Standard Chartered Cup” campaign
Standard Chartered Bank has today held draws for the forty (40) teams participating in the Standard Chartered Cup – Road to Anfield tournament at Kampala Sheraton Hotel – Rwenzori ballroom.
The 40 teams were grouped by the organisers in eight groups for the group stages and the group games will be played on a round robin basis. The top two in each group, will advance to the round of 16, and the winners will go on a knock out format advancing until the final.
The “Standard Chartered Cup – Road to Anfield” is an international 5 aside football tournament that offers football fans a ‘Money Can’t Buy’ opportunity to travel to UK and visit as well as play on a Premier League pitch – Anfield. It is hinged on the Bank’s Liverpool FC sponsorship and is a great opportunity for Standard Chartered to engage its clients. This is the fourth time it is being held in Uganda, having been successfully launched in 2015.
While addressing journalists at a press conference, the Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, Mr. Albert R. Saltson, said;
“Last year saw fierce competition amongst the teams that participated, of which Coca Cola emerged winner and went on to compete with Tanzania and Kenya at the regional qualifiers that took place in Dar-Es-Salaam. This year as previously communicated at the launch, there will be no regional qualifiers, the winning team at Namboole National Stadium, will go straight to Anfield” Mr. Saltson said.
The Edgars Youth Program team led by Mr. Edgar Watson handling the technical aspects of this tournament held the draw and articulated the rules of the tournament stating that they were determined to ensure openness and transparency.
Dan Mubiru, the Edgars Youth Programme Lead technical support personnel while addressing the participants said;
“This year we promise a better organized tournament which is flawless and fair. Team verification commenced ahead of the tournament and we requested companies to complete the registration process by sharing the supporting documents which included; List of players, Letter from the company’s Human resource confirming that the participants are employed by the company indicating NSSF numbers against respective participant’s name, Staff IDs, Group Photo of the Participants, Passport size photograph for each participant and Signed registration forms accepting the T&Cs, can print off website or pick these up from the Bank. As you can see mercenaries will not be tolerated this year as the grand prize is very appealing.
The SC Cup winning team will receive:
A return economy class air ticket to and from Manchester Airport, United Kingdom, with return airport and on-ground transfers in Liverpool.
3 nights’ accommodation in Liverpool.
Meals for the contingent members (breakfast, lunch and dinner) during their stay at Liverpool. Any special dietary requests should be advised to the organizers in advance.
A training session with an Liverpool FC (LFC) legend.
Watch the Liverpool game live at Anfield
Additional expenses not outlined in the itinerary such as laundry, overseas calls, mini bar and room service etc. shall be borne by the guest.
The winning team will receive a trophy as well as travel to Anfield.
The Bank also distributed goodie bags to all the 40 team’s players ahead of the tournament which were inclusive of; drawstring bag, cap, ball and a sport bottle.
Standard Chartered Cup National tournament format, rules and regulations;
i)The following rules and regulations will apply to the National tournament and will be enforced by the referee, whose decision is final.;
- ii) Number of players
Each match shall be played by two (2) teams of five (5) players, including the goalkeeper.
Any of the other players may change places with the goalkeeper, provided that the referee is informed before the change is made, and that the change is made during a stoppage in the game.
The Rules of the Competition allow for “rolling” substitutes to be used. The number of “rolling” substitutions is unlimited.
iii) Players’ Equipment
Footwear shall be worn in accordance with the Laws of the Game, and subject to any local regulations. (No metal studs or metal blades)
The wearing of shinguards, which must be covered by socks in accordance with the Laws of the Game, is compulsory. Any player who fails to wear shinguards does so at their own risk.
- iv) Timekeeper / scorer
The referee shall:
Record goals scored
Act as timekeeper and signify full-time by a whistle
Supervise the use of “rolling” substitutes
- v) Duration of the game
- The duration of the game shall be 8 minute matches with a 5 minute break. No allowances will be made in games for stoppages except in extreme circumstances.
- vi) Start of play
At the beginning of a game the choice of ends and kick off shall be decided by the toss of a coin.
Play shall be started with a normal kick off at the centre of the pitch.
The game shall be re-started in a like manner after a goal has been scored.
After any other stoppage the game shall be re-started by the referee dropping the ball at a point nearest to where it was when play was suspended, unless it was in the goalkeeper’s possession, when the player shall, at the referee’s signal, roll or pass the ball out.
vii) Ball in and out of play; the ball shall be in play at all times from the start of the game unless:
The ball has crossed the goal-line, side-lines or the barricades surrounding the playing area;
The referee has given the signal for full-time;
The game has been stopped by the referee;
When the ball goes out of play a member of the opposing team shall pass the ball into play.
You cannot score directly from a pass in (throw in)
viii) Offside;
There is no offside. Players may place themselves in any part of the playing area outside the penalty areas.
- ix) Fouls and misconduct;
A player who unfairly impedes the progress of an opponent when not playing the ball shall be penalised by the awarding of an indirect free kick.
A player who is sent off shall not be allowed to take any further part in matches during that stage (minimum 2 matches). No substitute is allowed for a player dismissed for misconduct during the game in which the offence occurred.
- x) Free kick / Penalty kick;
Free kick: When a player is taking a direct or indirect free kick all of the opposing players shall be at least 6 yards from the ball until it is in play. All free kicks given against the defending side for infringements committed in or near the penalty area shall be taken from a distance not less than 6 yards outside the penalty area at the nearest point to where the offence occurred.
Penalty kick: A penalty kick shall be taken 10 yards from the centre of the goal being attacked, and except for the defending goalkeeper, only the player taking the kick can enter the penalty area and for that purpose only. Whether or not a goal is scored from the kick the player concerned must leave the penalty area immediately after taking the kick and before taking any further part in play.
Only the Goalkeeper is allowed inside the penalty area at any time unless a penalty kick is being taken. If an opposing player enters the penalty area at any time an indirect free kick will be awarded (taken by the Goalkeeper). If a player steps into their own penalty area at any time a penalty kick shall be awarded.
- xi) Goalkeeper returning the ball into play
After holding the ball the goalkeeper must immediately return the ball into play with a pass or a throw – this includes any in-direct free kicks inside the box (penalty area).
Goalkeepers must not hold onto the ball for more than 6 seconds. In the event of this happening the referee will award an indirect free kick.
xii) General rules of the game
Apart from the above rules the matches will be run as a normal game. Overhead height is permitted at all times.
The proceeds from this campaign will be donated towards the Seeing is Believing (SiB) project, which is the Bank’s global initiative to help tackle avoidable blindness.
