Grove won the inaugural Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport / East Bank Inter-Village Football Tournament on Saturday, defeating Kuru Kururu 3-0 in the final at the Eccles EE Ground to secure the $1 million top prize and the Republic Bank championship trophy.
Grove dominated from the outset, led by skipper Domini Garnett, who was instrumental throughout the competition. Lloyd Matthews opened the scoring in the seventh minute before Garnett added a brace in the 13th and 40th minutes to seal a comfortable victory. Garnett finished the tournament with eight goals, earning both the Most Valuable Player award and the Highest Goal Scorer title.
Kuru Kururu, despite the loss, were recognised for their strong run to the final and received $500,000 as runners-up.
In the third-place playoff, Herstelling edged Agricola 1-0 through a late goal from Malcolm Hendricks in the 44th minute, securing the $250,000 third-place prize, while Agricola received $150,000.
Grove also swept the individual awards, with goalkeeper Ronel McLean named Best Goalkeeper after conceding just two goals and keeping four clean sheets in five matches. He received $80,000. Nineteen-year-old Shaquan Joseph was named Most Promising Player and awarded $25,000.
Garnett collected $100,000 for his MVP award, sponsored by Fitness Express, while his top scorer prize included $80,000 and a $25,000 voucher from A & B Variety Shop.
Tournament organiser Sports Extra said the event, which featured 12 villages along the East Bank corridor and the Soesdyke-Linden Highway, was supported by several sponsors, including the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the Office of the Prime Minister, Republic Bank, and others.
