With the emphasis on youth development through sporting aspirations as the theme of this year’s event, the fourth annual Petra Organisation/Courts Pee-Wee Under-11 football tournament was officially launched yesterday at the National Library.
The event, which runs from October 3-November 15 at the Thirst Park ground, will feature 24 schools competing in a round-robin format featuring six groups comprising of four teams.
On conclusion of the group stage, the top two teams from each group as well as the best four third positioned teams will advance to the round of 16 knock-out stage.
Following the conclusion of the round of 16 stage, the losing eight schools will compete for positions nine through 16 until the conclusion of the event while the victorious eight schools will compete for the semi-final positions.
The competing schools are defending champions Stella Maris, St Puis, Marian Academy, West Ruimveldt, St Margaret’s, St Sidwell’s, Tucville, South Ruimveldt, North Georgetown, Ketley, St Gabriel’s, FE Pollard, Enterprise, Comenius, St. Agnes, Sophia Primary, East La Penitence, St Angela’s, Winfer Gardens, St Stephens, Rama Krishna Primary, JE Burnham, St Thomas and St Ambrose.
Winners of the tourney will receive the championship trophy, medals, a set of team uniforms and certificates while the runners-up will collect the second place trophy, medals, six footballs and certificates.
The third placed side will receive the respective trophy, four balls and certificates while fourth placed will be presented with a trophy and certificates. The most discipline team will also be presented with a trophy.
On the individual side, the most valuable player, highest goal scorer and best goalkeeper will each receive a trophy and football cleats.
In the brief feature address, Director of Sports Christopher Jones commended the Petra Organization, Courts Guyana Incorporated and Banks DIH Limited for their continued support of the development of sports and young people.
He added that Government was taking note of the companies that assist in the development of sports and the youth and that it will be working on ways to compensate these institutions so that it can encourage more entities to follow their example as Government cannot do it on its own.
Jones also thanked the Petra Organization, Courts Guyana Incorporated and Banks DIH Limited for their continued contribution to the sports fraternity.
Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca said the entity was once again proud to be associated with event alongside its sponsors Courts Guyana Incorporated and Banks DIH Limited. He pointed out that the fruits of the event can be seen as several players from the Guyana national U17 squad were among the participants of the event’s inaugural edition.
According to Mendonca, this highlights the significance and the overall contribution of the annual championship on the development of the sport at the grassroot and schools level.
On a personal note Mendonca said that his organization was once again happy to be a part of the venture. He then expressed gratitude to the sponsors.
Speaking on behalf of Courts Guyana Incorporated, Marketing Manager, Pernell Cummings, said due to the overwhelming popularity of the event, the company will continue to throw its support behind it and that great football and comradery are often witnessed on every playing date.
He said that while the tournament will cost over 3.6 million dollars to organize and run, it is money well spent by the company and that it will give younger players the opportunity to graduate to higher levels in the sport which can influence their drive to represent the Golden Jaguars in the future.
Cummings thanked all the stakeholders involved in making the tournament a success inclusive of the teachers, Banks DIH Limited and the Petra Organization and declared that he expects another great tournament when the event kicks off.
Banks DIH Malta Supreme Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie said that the company was pleased once more to be a part of the event. According to Mc Kenzie, they will continue to support the initiative as the three previous years have provided exciting football and that he expects this edition to be bigger and better.
Mc Kenzie said that the Malta Supreme beverage, provides the necessary nutrients to power the participants during the matches while urging the respective families and fans to come out and support the tournament.
Ministry of Education representative Nicholas Fraser said that physical activity is important to the development of children and that the ministry will continue to support programs such as this that aid in the overall development of youth.
According to Fraser, the quality of the event continues to rise with each edition while thanking the Petra Organization for their continued emphasis on youth development through the school tourney.
