The first set of matches will get under way at 1 p.m. and there will be non-stop action every hour until the last three matches kick off simultaneously at 4 p.m. at each venue.

Defending champions Benfica will lead the challenge of the 12 local teams but they are drawn in a tough Group C, with local masters champions Notre Dame, two-time champions British Airways of Britain and Vincy Masters of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

There is another team from St Vincent and the Grenadines, along with three teams from Canada, one from the United States, three from Trinidad and Tobago, and one each from Jamaica and Grenada.

It will be the 11th appearance in the tournament for British Airways, who were winners in 1999 and 2005. Trinidad and Tobago's top representatives will be Unity, who won in 2001 and 2006.

Banks' brand manager Julian King, Bert Inniss, general manager at Bert's Bar, referees' co-ordinator Sherlock Wall and Paul Wright and Adrian Donovan of the organising committee attended yesterday's launch at Bert's Bar, Hastings, Christ Church, which will be the official bar and restaurant of the tournament.

Sixty-one games will be played over the next four days with the finals slated for the Wanderers' Dayrell's Road ground on Whit Monday at 4:30 p.m.

The organisers were assisted by the Tourism Development Corporation and the Barbados Tourism Authority, who have provided long-standing sponsorship, along with main sponsors Banks. (EZS)