After weeks of anticipation amid an air of hype among the football fans and players alike, the fourth edition of the Goodwill Schools Football tournament kicks off today at the Queen’s College Ground on Thomas Lands.
The tournament, run by Petra Organisation will this year see Jamaican schools football powerhouse Clarendon College (2022 Jamaica Digicel winners) in addition to Trinidad’s St Benedict’s College and Surinamese School VWO 4 (Voorgezet Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs 4) come up against Guyana’s Limacol League winners Chase Academy, Digicel champions Carmel Secondary and three hinterland schools in St Ignatius Secondary, last year’s KFC winners DC Caesar Fox and Bartica Secondary.
At a kit handover exercise yesterday at the KFC Vlissengen Road outlet, Petra Organisation’s Jacqueline Boodie told the media that the respective grounds (QC & Ministry of Education Grounds) are ready and all systems are in place for the commencement of the tournament. She also highlighted that Petra are anticipating “this wonderful tournament which brings the curtains down on the Petra Organisation’s season”.
Meanwhile, KFC’s Marketing Manager Pamela Manasseh in brief remarks thanked Petra for leading the way in running off positive and constructive events. She homed in on the reason for KFC throwing their support behind the tournament saying; “we are all about exposing the youth to bigger and better opportunities. I wish all the teams the very best”.
On the sidelines of the engagement, Stabroek Sport caught up with St Ignatius captain Caio Paul and spoke with him about the preparation that their team went through in the buildup to the tournament.
He said that his side has been indefatigable in their training in the months since they last took part in the Digicel Schools tournament back in August of this year.
“We have been training a lot, every day after school from 5 PM to 6 PM as a team”. Quizzed as to whether or not their stringent training routine has left them burnt out, Paul replied in the negative pointing out that their stamina has greatly improved as a result as well as the finer points of their game.
Further pressed on his thoughts about his side’s chances in the tournament, Paul declared: “We are confident of our chances, we are confident of carrying home the trophy because of the preparation we put in. Our fans were left disappointed at the Digicel tournament and this time around we want to go all the way for them”.
Meanwhile, Troy Mendonca, Co-Director of Petra, spoke to Stabroek Sport about expectations for this year’s tournament.
“This year we are pleased with the response from the teams in relation to participation. However, logistics determined us to limit it to eight, our biggest number yet”.
Speaking to the quality of football expected to be on display, Mendonca revealed: “We know that Jamaica and Trinidad have a serious level and quality of football in the school competitions but we want to see how their level measures up with our local boys from the coast and our hinterland teams as well. We have left no stones unturned for this tournament. After doing all our school tournaments earlier this year, we want to see how our local lads perform against the overseas teams”.
“We are looking at an even bigger expansion for the future, we are looking at more Caribbean teams but we also have neighbours right here in South America such as Brazil and French Guiana, that’s our vision. We are happy for the support given by KFC and our other sponsors including the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), Ministry of Education, MVP Sports and ExxonMobil. The stage is set and may the best team win!” he declared.
Today, Carmel Secondary will face DC Caesar Fox at 1:30 PM at the QC Ground on Thomas Lands while St Benedict’s College will clash with VWO 4 at 3:30 PM at the same venue.
Over at the Ministry of Education Ground, Clarendon College will have their first taste of action against Bartica Secondary at 6 PM while at 8 PM, Guyanese teams Chase Academy and St Ignatius will do battle.
The winners of the tournament will receive USD $2500, second place USD $1500, third place USD $1000 and fourth place USD $500.
There will also be awards for the Most Valuable Player, Highest Goalscorer and Best Goalkeeper.
