The Limacol Secondary Schools Football League, which is being coordinated by the nation’s leading private football promotional entity, the Petra Organisation, was officially launched yesterday at the National Library, Church Road.
The event, which commences on Sunday at the Ministry of Education ground, will feature eight schools battling over the course of seven weeks in a one-round championship.
The competing teams are defending champions Christianburg/Wismar, Chase Academy, Santa Rosa, Carmel, Mackenzie High, Ann’s Grove, East Ruimveldt and Bartica Secondary.
The first, second, third, and fourth-place prizes are $300,000, $150,000, $75,000, and $50,000, respectively. On the individual side, the resulting Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper will also be awarded.
Troy Mendonca, Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, stated that it was noteworthy to understand the significance of the tournament, which has developed into one of the marquee events of the football community.
He added that the organisation recognises the progression of players who have transitioned to the national programme or acquired academic scholarships following their respective exploits during the competition.
Mendonca thanked the relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), and the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Company (GPC), for their support.
He said that the organisation was thankful for the support that has been afforded to the entity in making the tournament a reality from the relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport, the GFF, and Limacol.
Meanwhile, New GPC Marketing Manager Elizabeth Ram stated that the company was pleased to support the Petra Organisation, adding that they admire the entity’s prominence in offering sporting and athletic avenues to the younger generations.
She thanked the organisation for its continued emphasis on the development of the school football ecosystem.
Marty De Souza, Deputy CEO of the Ministry of Education (Hinterland), disclosed that the event essentially features the cream of the crop in schools football, noting that the participation of two teams from the hinterland communities illustrates that the entity was targeting and focusing on these areas, which often pose a geographical challenge.
He added that he expects fair play, as discipline is important in these activities, and that the Ministry of Education remains committed to ensuring that the event is a continued success.
Franklin Wilson, Assistant Director of Sport, within the Department of Sport, declared that the Petra Organisation was synonymous with the exposure of talented players, many of whom advance to the national programme.
He noted that partnerships with groups such as Petra are required for the development of sport and that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, the NSC, and, by extension, the Government of Guyana, are steadfast in their commitment to the evolution of the sports landscape.
Troy Peters, GFF’s Director of Competitions, affirmed that the Petra Organisation continues to be a trailblazer in the development of the discipline, especially at the schools level, adding that the relationship that the entity has been able to cultivate with the relevant stakeholders has witnessed the growth of the sport in the youth segment. He encouraged the organisation to continue on this path, and said that he envisages a competitive tournament.
