The Petra Organization officially launched the 2022 ExxonMobil U14 football championship Tuesday at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Quamina Street.
The event will be a round robin affair in both the boys and girls categories.
The boy’s division will feature 24 schools, with teams divided into six groups of four while the eight team Girl’s section will feature two groups of four.
Upon the conclusion of the group stage, 16 teams will advance to the knockout round from the boy’s pool. The teams will then play for positions 1-16. Similarly, the female section will contest for positions 1-8.
The competing teams are L’Aventure, Patentia, New Campbellville, Cummings Lodge, Dolphin, East Ruimveldt, Lodge, Leonora, North Ruimveldt, St. Cuthbert’s, West Ruimveldt, Freeburg, West Demerara, Golden Grove, Tutorial, Marian Academy, Plaisance, New Central, Houston, Charlestown, St Winifred’s, Kingston, Tucville and Ann’s Grove.
The top four finishers from each division will walk away with $300,000, $150,000, $75,000, and $40,000 correspondingly towards a project within the respective institutions. The total sponsorship of the tournament comes in at $6,000,000.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., said that sport, youth and the advancement of the country, is very important to his beliefs and that the tournament is the perfect example of all three elements being married compliments of ExxonMobil’s contribution which simply cannot be quantified.
He challenged the table of officials to create a business sport development forum before the conclusion of the year which can aid the building of the country, as, he said, young people are the most important resource. He added that the event has the blessings of the Ministry and the Government of Guyana.
Co-Director of the Petra Organization Troy Mendonca, said that while tournaments of this nature were conceptualised to resurrect the sport within the school realm, the programmes, which provide a social and health platform and benefit, have morphed into developmental enterprises for the country.
He thanked ExxonMobil for its contribution, explaining, “Their contribution should not be looked at as a Corporate Social Responsibility but an investment that contributes to the development of our human resources, and development of national and club players. On behalf of the Petra Organization and the football fraternity, thank you for your continued support.”
Ryan Hoppie, ExxonMobil Community Relations Advisor, stated that the company’s continued support marks the third year of involvement in the project, adding that the entity was pleased to continue in this vein, as young people will be benefit from all tangible and intangible tenets of the discipline.
He noted that competition aids in the creation of a student culture and said the corporation is committed through sports and other areas which have positive impact and empower communities.
Dr Olatto Sam, Education Specialist in the office of the Minister of Education, stated that the Ministry has long standing partnership with the Petra Organization who have a history of the successful implementation of programmes at the various school levels, adding that the ministry was excited for the return to school football especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He posited that the Ministry has strengthened its relationship with several football entities, noting that ExxonMobil should be hailed for their contribution to this initiative. Sam added that the ministry is committed to aiding in the continued success of the event.
Meanwhile, Kashif Muhammad, Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), said that the Petra Organization is intrinsically responsible for the identification of many youth and senior internationals. According to Muhammad, the event has grown to include teams outside the Georgetown area which is testament to its success, adding that the commission is willing to support any initiative that is geared towards the development of sport.
Brian Joseph, GFF Assistant Technical Director, commended the Petra Organization for itscontinued investment in youth football development at the school level which aligns with the GFF’s strategic priorities.
Melissa Richardson, Assistant Director of Sports, said that the NSC was pleased to support this tournament, adding that its importance should not be understated because it highlights the value of both education and sport which indicates that the sporting fraternity is heading in the right direction. She added that tournaments of this nature gives girls the opportunity to showcase their talents on a competitive platform.
