The second annual Georgetown Football Association (GFA) organized Courts Pee Wee Under-11 round-robin knockout competition was officially launched in the Training Room of Courts Guyana Limited main branch, Main Street yesterday.
The tournament begins Saturday with four games. Defending champions Fruta Conquerors will oppose Santos while last year’s runner-up Sunburst Camptown will battle against Thomas United in a simultaneous match-up kicking off at 1:00pm while Marian Academy and Renaissance and newcomers Pele and Uprising will contest the other two encounters commencing at 2 pm.
A total of ten teams are set to participate in this year’s tournament and are divided into two groups: Fruta Conquerors, Santos, Marian Academy, Renaissance and Riddim Squad comprise Group A while Sunburst Camptown, Uprising, Thomas United, Pele and the other newcomer BK Int’l Western Tigers are in Group B.
In the round-robin stage each team will play the other teams in their group once and the top four teams will advance to the knockout stage. Teams will be battling for the top place prize of the Pee Wee Under-11 Trophy and ten size three balls while the second place finishers will have to settle for a trophy and five balls and third and fourth place teams will receive three and one ball along with the place trophies respectively.
The format of play is the same as last year’s tournament with a seven-a-side 40-minute encounter (20mins per half) with a five-minute half time break and each player must be able to play in the encounter.
Meanwhile, in the simple ceremony attended by the sponsors and members of the GFA, Country Manager of Courts Guyana Inc. Lester Alvis said that the company was delighted to once again be the official sponsor of the Pee Wee Under-11 Football Competition.
Alvis noted that the company operates with the mission statement ‘Adding Value Everyday’ and that implies that “we are proud to add value to the children’s lives and will continue doing so through partnerships with the GFA.”
He said further that, “the level of skill showcased by the teams in the previous year’s competition and the discipline and passion for the game exerted by the youths was remarkable.”
“As such we at courts are thankful for being given the chance to fulfill our promise to once again be part of this tournament and in closing I would like to urge the players to continue showing discipline and love toward the sport,” Alves added.
The tournament’s co-sponsor Banks DIH will be providing refreshments in the form of water and the new energy malt drink to the teams in addition to allowing the tournament to be played on the Thirst Park ground free of charge. Their Public Relations Officer Troy Peters in brief remarks pointed out that Banks DIH had been closely associated with the GFA through the running of many tournaments in their venture to develop football throughout the country.
He further stated that they are committed to supporting youths and wished the participating teams, sponsors and the football association success in the future and hoped that the weather would hold to allow the smooth running of the tourney.
President of the GFA Troy Mendonca noted that this is the age when players learn to do the basic things in football and this is the reason why youth tournaments are necessary.
“With the kind of contribution Courts has been making in the community, they would be glad to know that that contribution has made it a long way in the development of football,” Mendonca said.
Mendonca also expressed gratitude to the sponsors for their continued support to the association and football.
