About Us

Guinean Inter-State Soccer Tournament

The Guinean Inter State Soccer Tournament (G.I.S.S.T) is a tax-exempt non-profit organization under section 501(3)(c) of the Internal Revenue Code incorporated in the State of Maryland, that aims to create a bond of friendship between Guinean residents, but other states of the United States. The Guinean Inter State Soccer Tournament also promotes and facilitates the integration of Guineans in all the States around the U.S.

Our Mission

Our mission is to aims to bring together all young Guineans in general, and especially those living in North America who wish to join our organization. Our special focus is to: s
· Create and maintain bonds of friendship, fraternity, mutual aid and solidarity among all its members.
· To defend the moral and material interests of Organization
· Promote Guinean cultures
· To establish and maintain relationships with any association or group with the same objectives.
· To encourage and promote the integration process of socio-economic development of Guinea.

Our Vision

Our vision is to create a safe environment or our community and especially the younger generation to ensure that they can grow up in a supportive and safe environment.

Our Values

Our values are Unity, Equality, and Solidarity. It’s our pledge to support each other and treat everyone fairly.

Transforming lives together

At G.I.S.S.T, we strive to promote cultural awareness through soccer competition

The Guinean Inter State Soccer Tournament (G.I.S.S.T) is a tax-exempt non-profit organization under section 501(3)(c) of the Internal Revenue Code incorporated in Gaithersburg, Maryland. It is organized exclusively for cultural, sport, and educational purposes.

The G.I.S.S.T believes to achieve its goals; the organization must rely on the availability of its members as well as external inputs.

History of Guinean Inter State Soccer Tournament (G.I.S.S.T)

G.I.S.S.T. is an organization that promote cultural awareness through soccer competition. The 1 st. edition of this soccer tournament was in 2005, which Atlanta, GA hosted, and 3 more states participated: Ohio, New York and Michigan.

Over the years, the tournament grew and attracted more attention from other states. During the 2 nd edition of the tournament in 2006, 8 teams participated while Ohio hosted that year.

In 2007, DMV (D.C., Maryland and Virginia) hosted the tournament. Over and above that, was also the first year to elect G.I.S.S.T. President and Board Members to oversee the tournaments and coordinate between state representatives and the Board. The first time Memphis, TN ever participated in this tournament was in 2010.

From 2012 to 2018, only three states (DMV, Atlanta, and Ohio) were
selected for hosting the tournament due to the geographical position. To break the cycle, Memphis presented their candidacy to host for 2019 and were able to secure the hosting spot. Which gave Memphis the honor to host the 15th edition and exposed the tournament to the Memphis communities.

In 2020, there was a pause due to the Corona Virus . The 16th edition was hosted in Atlanta Georgia where 14 teams participated in the tournament in 2021.
The year of 2022 , the 17th edition was hosted by the State of New Jersey where 15 teams participated in this tournament.

In 2023, the 18th edition was hosted by the state of Washington DC and Baltimore where 12 teams participated the tournament.

This year of 2024, the 19th edition will be hosted again in the state of Washington DC as the only state candidate to the host the tournament.