The Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF) in collaboration with Scotia Bank and Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) through its Pepsi brand, officially launched the 4th edition of the Pepsi/Scotia Bank Football tourney yesterday at the Carifesta Sports Complex, Carifesta Avenue.
Speaking at a press conference, GSDF Director Victor Wright stated that the Georgetown zone of the event will commence on Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue and will feature a total of 21 schools competing in male and female divisions over a league format.
He stated that the Linden and Berbice zones of the event will begin on March 22 and that while the male side remains at the U15 level, the age range for the female division has been elevated to the U-17 level in attempt to have more schools participating.
“In keeping with our stated pledge to provide scholarship opportunities for students at local and overseas colleges and universities, a series of tryouts were held under the auspices of the GFCA for a male player.
“As a result of these tryouts, the name of three players will be submitted to ASA College in New York for one available full scholarship. The names of the players are Shaka Lewis (Eagles FC of Linden), Ronaldo Dover (Alpha United and Dominique Babb (Slingerz FC)” added Wright.
DDL representative Larry Wills said:“DDL under its Pepsi Brand is pleased to announce the successful completion of the training aspect of this academy and looks forward to the start of the tournament of this 4th annual Scotia Bank/Pepsi Schools football academy.
“As the co-sponsor of this academy, it is with great pleasure that DDL and Pepsi continue to play its role in supporting youths and grass root programs in the communities of which we operate and further the development of sports across the nation.
“On behalf of DDL and Pepsi, we wish the GSDF and all participating schools in the Scotia Bank/Pepsi School football academy a highly successful and competitive 2014” added Wills.
Scotia Bank Representative, Jennifer Cipriani stated that the event was the only one that has invested in women’s football at this level and that the company along with all the respective involved parties, will continue to be committed to the programme.
Allyson Rollins, representative of the Ministry of Education said that the ministry was pleased to be associated with this venture and thanked the GSDF, Scotia Bank and DDL for their continuing of the program.
She noted:“It must be applauded that it is the only football program that caters for both male and female participants and I wish for continued success of the venture as they push ahead.”
Guyana Football Coaches Association (GFCA) representative Sampson Gilbert said “The GFCA and coaches have an important role to play in football development in Guyana.
“The GFCA has allocated coaches to work with all the schools involved and its main objective is to raise the competitive level of the event by improving the technical ability of the players and tactical ability of the teams.
“We will continue to work with the GSDF, Scotia Bank and DDL to help improve the level of football in Guyana” added Sampson Gilbert.
The schools that will be competing in group-A of the male division are St. George’s High, Tutorial High, North Georgetown Secondary, School of the Nations, Lodge Secondary and New Campbellville Secondary while group-B will consist of Queen’s College, Chase Academy, Bishops’ High, Tucville Secondary, Christ Church Secondary and national champions Charlestown Secondary.
On the distaff side, group-A will feature national champions Tutorial Secondary, Lodge Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Tucville Secondary and Charles- town Secondary whilst group-B will contain New Campbellville Secondary, Christ Church Secondary, North Georgetown Secondary and St. Georges High.
In the Linden Zone, Harmony Secondary, Mackenzie Secondary, Wisburg Secondary, Wismar/Christiansburg Secondary, Linden Foundation Secondary and New Silver City Secondary will field both male and female sides.
The male side of the Berbice zone will feature Berbice Educational Institute, New Amsterdam Secondary, Berbice High, Canje Secondary, Vryman’s Erven Secondary and Tutorial Secondary whilst the female division will consist of New Amsterdam Secondary, Tutorial Secondary, Berbice Educational Institute and Berbice High.
The two finalists from the respective male divisions will advance to the national playoffs while the female winners will seal a berth to the national playoffs. Winners of the event will receive trophies and medals.
