Defending champions Vibe CT 105 W Connection begin their defence of the Courts Pro Bowl knockout title with a quarter-final meeting against the winners of the North East Stars/Ma Pau SC play-off, the first of today's double-header, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, in Arima. Tobago United face St Ann's Rangers at 5 p.m., and two hours later, Stars and Ma Pau do battle.
Yesterday's draw and launch took place at the Kapok Hotel, Maraval, where T&T Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene revealed that sponsors Courts Trinidad Limited had increased the winner's prize by $25,000, and that the total sponsorship stood at $225,000. Some $20,000 in Courts vouchers will be on offer for the MVP at each stage of the tournament and the leading scorer.
The winners of the 2008 competition are now guaranteed at least $100,000. Door prizes and a kick for cash half-time competition for patrons are additional features of the Courts Pro Bowl.
At the launch, Courts marketing manager Melanie Foster said her company is "a firm believer that sport institutions such as the TT Pro League bring life and excitement to communities and are a vital component of their quality of life". W Connection coach Stuart Fevrier looked ahead to the tournament.
"It's always tough. In this kind of competition, on any given day any team can win. So you can't take your opposition for granted. But we like big trophies and this year they're offering a big one so we want to put that on our shelf."
Fixtures
Play-off round (Larry Gomes Stadium)
Today: - Tobago United vs St Ann's Rangers, 5 p.m.
North East Stars vs Ma Pau SC, 7 p.m.
Quarter-finals
Friday: (Manny Ramjohn Stadium)
North East Stars/Ma Pau SC vs W Connection, 6 p.m.
Joe Public vs United Petrotrin, 8 p.m.
May 13 (Larry Gomes Stadium)
Caledonia AIA vs Tobago United/St Ann's Rangers, 6 p.m.
Defence Force vs San Juan Jabloteh, 8 p.m.