Defending boys champions Tucville Secondary School fought their way back from a goal down to draw 1-1 with newcomers New Campbellville Secondary in the opening match of the Scotia Bank-Pepsi schools football tournament yesterday at Georgetown Football Club (GFC) ground.
Following an impressive opening ceremony which featured the 12 participating schools, Campbellville took the lead in the 33rd minute when Eukini McPherson found the back of the net as Campbellville kept their opponents at bay for almost the entire match before Ryan Blackman equalized in the 68th minute for Tucville.
Students of the 12 competing schools took part in a march past before they were addressed by President of the Guyana Football Federation ag. Franklyn Wilson, Stan Harmon who represented the organizing committee, Scotia Bank Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani, Pepsi Brand Manager Alexis Langhorne and other officials.
Wilson called on the participants to make full use of the opportunity being afforded them noting that several players from last year’s tournament went on to represent Guyana in World Cup qualification matches.
He said that 2012 will be a good year for Guyana’s football with the senior men’s entering into a critical stage of the World Cup preliminary competition.
Cipriani said that Scotia Bank was pleased to be associated with the Academy once again and she encouraged the participants to be at their best as scholarship opportunities are available for those who excel on the field and academically.
DDL’s representative Langhorne said Pepsi was delighted to sponsor a junior tournament of this magnitude after sponsoring at senior level in the past.
Harmon thanked DDL, Scotia Bank and other stakeholders for partnering again this year on behalf of the organizing committee.
Other speakers included Lindley Langhorne who spoke on behalf of the Ministry of Education and former national captain Gordon Braithwaite who represented the Ministry of Sport.
Matches in the tournament will be played on Saturday at the GFC ground.
