Given the recent spate of suicide, the Ministry of Public Health in partnership with the Petra Organization will utilize the fourth annual Milo U20 football tournament to raise awareness of the issue among the participating teams.
Speaking at the Ministry of Education ground yesterday, Dr. Dennis Bassier, of the Ministry of Health, said awareness of the issue will be highlighted through quotes which will be read by the respective captains at every match.
He said that the organizers have proposed a forum to be staged to aid in helping teachers to identify the signs before it occurs.
The slogan for the tournament is, “Life is worth living so let us kick it together”.
He praised the Petra Organization for the initiative in staging in the event which not only promotes the development of the sport by providing the participants with an opportunity to display their talent but also aids in the development of life skills.
Ministry of Education representative Nicholas Fraser echoed the sentiments of Dr Bassier, pointing out that the ministry was more than willing to assist in any areas to help sensitize the issue.
Tournament coordinators and directors of the Petra Organization Troy Mendonca and Marlon Cole donated two goal frames to the Ministry of Education for use at its ground.
Mendonca also provided the tourney’s fixtures to the competing 32 teams. Defending champ Chase Academy heads Group `A’ which will also feature East Ruimveldt Secondary School, St. Winifred Secondary and Tucville Secondary. Group `B’ consists of Cummings Lodge Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, Kingston Secondary and St. Mary’s Secondary.
Group `C’ will comprise Brickdam Secondary School, Lodge Secondary, North Georgetown Secondary and St Joseph’s Secondary School while Group `D’ will be made up of Houston Secondary, Morgan Learning Center, North Ruimveldt Secondary and Queens’ College.
Group `E’ will feature Carmel Secondary, Christ Church Secondary, Sir Leon Lessons and Richard Ishmael Secondary while Group `F’ consists of Bishops’ High, Central High, School of the Nations and South Ruimveldt Secondary.
Group `G’ will consist of Queenstown Secondary, St. John’s College, St. George’s Secondary and Tutorial Secondary while Group `H’ will comprise Charlestown Secondary, Freeburg Secondary, Mae’s Secondary and St Rose’s Secondary.
The event will commence on Saturday with four matches. In the opening fixture at 11:00hrs, East Ruimveldt will oppose St. Winifred while Cummings Lodge will tackle St. Mary’s from 12:30hrs.
In the third fixture, Dolphin Secondary will lock horns with Kingston Secondary at 14:00hrs while defending champ Chase Academy will oppose Tucville Secondary from 15:30hrs.
