The 2020 edition of the prestigious Milo Secondary School Football Championship was officially restarted yesterday with a simple but significant ceremony held at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
The tournament which is scheduled to commence on Saturday, will feature 24 teams competing in an elimination format. The final is penciled for July 10th. All matches will be hosted at the Ministry of Education ground. Each team was provided with three balls [two Milo branded, one unbranded] as part of their preparatory package.
Winner of the event will collect $300,000, the championship trophy, and gold medals. On the other hand, the runner-up will pocket $200,000, the corresponding accolade and silver medals. The third place finisher will receive $100,000, a trophy and bronze medals while the fourth place side will walk away with $75,000 and a trophy.
The most disciplined team will be awarded with a trophy.
On the individual side, the most valuable player (MVP) will receive a pair of cleats and a trophy, while the highest goal scorer will receive an identical prize package.
The best goalkeeper will receive a pair of gloves and a trophy.
Petra Organization Co-Director Troy Mendonca thanked the company for its continued commitment to the programme which has provided quality players for the national programme, adding that while a knockout tournament will be instituted to complete the curtailed edition of the event, the tournament will revert to its original format the next time around.
According to Mendonca, the tournament has always been a platform to recognize social issues plaguing society, as well as creating an avenue for players to focus their respective energies in a positive manner.
He added that the points standings at the stoppage of the tournament was utilised to acquire the eventual seeding system for the knockout section.
Meanwhile, Beepat representative under the Milo brand Rajendra Lall, stated that the company is proud of its continued association with the tournament, adding that the event provides the platform not only for the development of players, but also illustrates that society is returning to some form of normalcy following the pandemic which initially affected the event.
On Saturday at the same venue, St. Stanislaus College will oppose St. John’s College from 12:30hrs while West Ruimveldt will engage Vergenoegen at 14:00hrs, and the Bishops’ High will battle Charlestown Secondary from 15:30hrs. In the final match, Bladen Hall will face-off with Carmel Secondary at 17:00hrs.
On Sunday, Ann’s Grove will lock horns with Uitvlugt from 12:30hrs, North Ruimveldt will match skills with East Ruimveldt at 14:00hrs and Golden Grove will take aim at Buxton Secondary from 15:30hrs.
The final match will pit the winner of the St. Stanislaus College/St. John’s College encounter against the victor of the Bishops’ High/Charlestown Secondary fixture.
