The inaugural ExxonMobil U14 Boys and Girls Football Championship was officially launched yesterday at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Quamina Street.
The event which will be coordinated by the Petra Organization, will commence in early June. It will feature 24 Boys and eight Girls teams competing initially in a group format.
ExxonMobil Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs Kimberly Brassington said, “We do look for opportunities where we can make a difference and supporting the kids is one way we can do that, especially through sports. So we are really looking forward to the tournament.”
On the other hand, Petra Organization Co-Director Troy Mendonca said, “The contribution and support would now fill a void that we have been fighting to fill for the last three to four years between our Under-11 and Under-18 tournaments.”
Bryan Joseph, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Development Officer said, “This particular tournament is going to serve as a really good platform for some bigger things that we have happening in the year.”
He continued, “That is the CFU Under-14 Boys’ tournament scheduled for the end of July/early August and the Under-15 Girls that are going to be involved in a CONCACAF tournament in Florida.”
Meanwhile, Ministry of Education’s Nicholas Fraser declared that the Petra Organization is bridging the gap between their Pee Wee Under-11 and Milo Under-18 Football Tournaments, adding, “Someone who would have participated in the Pee Wee Under-11 Football tournaments would have to wait another seven to eight years to make the team again, so it’s good to have that intermediate tournament.”
