For the first time Guangzhou, China will play host to MoneyGram‘s five-a-side football tournament, Called Guangzhou Open African League (G.O.A.L.) which will take place on October 22, 2016 at the Act Club, Tianhebei Road. The tournament will run for three consecutive Saturdays and culminate in the Grand Finals on November 5, 2016.

MoneyGram G.O.A.L. brings a professional football tournament to Guangzhou, which is home to a large African community with significant populations from Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo, Kenya and Uganda. The teams will have an opportunity not only to showcase their skills on a professional football field but also raise the trophy and win the Grand Prize of $2,000 USD for the best team and $1,000 USD for the runner up.

“At MoneyGram we constantly strive to ‘bring people closer’ through reliable money transfer services connecting families across geographies. As football plays such an important role in the everyday life of the African community, there is no better platform to bring those people closer across geographies,” says Sabrina Chan, marketing director, Asia and China at MoneyGram. “It’s our hope that our shared love for football can strengthen the connection between the African community in Guangzhou and their loved ones back home.”

“As China has become a new, key corridor for Africa, we want to engage with the communities we serve,” said Sabine Bauchau, marketing director, Africa at MoneyGram. “This tournament will showcase the best African football teams from the region for a chance to compete for the championship trophy.”

Registration for MoneyGram G.O.A.L. will open on 21 September and will last until 18 October, 2016. A maximum of 32 teams can enter the tournament. Each team can have 8 -10 players representing any African country. Registration will be available at Postal Savings Bank of China locations in Guangzhou or by phone 013544313238.