The fifth annual Milo U18 Secondary Schools football tournament was launched yesterday at the Beepat’s headquarters, Dennis Street.
The tournament, which is set to commence Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground, will feature 32 teams in eight groups.
The teams will compete in a round robin format with the top two finishers in each group advancing to the elimination round.
The winning team is set to receive $500,000 towards a school project and a trophy while the second, third and fourth placed sides are set to pocket $300,000,$200,000 and $100,000 respectively towards a school initiative and a trophy.
Co-Director of the Petra Organization Troy Mendonca said “Words can’t explain how important the sponsorship means to football. To the management of the company and its corporate sponsors, don’t feel that your involvement in the past seven years goes down lightly.”
Mendonca said the tournament will assist in the development of the sport.
“The event will play its part in the development of the sport and the football fraternity is very thankful of your support in the sport.
“The Milo football championship has become a household name in sport, now it’s just called Milo and that speaks to the value of your contribution. On behalf of the Petra Organization, we thank you for your continued support,” he added.
Meanwhile, Renita Seethal, Nestle Brand Manager, said: “We are pleased to be sponsoring this again, this what Milo is about, it was created to be active and this is the perfect alignment for Milo with sports.
“We recognise that the Petra Organization is trying to carry sports to the next level and we are glad to be a part of that,” she added.
Wayne Forde, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) President said: “The GFF is so pleased to give blessings to the event and we are honoured to be in the presence of the Beepat family and witness their support of the event.
“What the Petra Organization is doing correlates very well with what the GFF is doing,” he said adding…“No doubt that the Petra Organization will deliver a tournament that will make you proud for the investment and the GFF is proud to be associated with the event.”
Nicholas Fraser, a representative of the Ministry of Education Allied Arts Department said: “The ministry has no problem giving approval as we have been partnering with the Petra Organization for some time and have a pretty good relationship.”
He added: “It’s good to see football being played more in the school realm and hope it continues in this direction.
“It’s a very good initiative and we are fully supportive of the Milo tournament,” Fraser added.
The tournament is set to conclude April 23rd.
