The ninth edition of the Petra Organization-coordinated, Courts Pee Wee Boys U11 Football Championship, was officially launched yesterday at the latter’s Main Street location, Georgetown.
The event will commence on October 8. The grand finale will be on November 19. All matches will be held at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown. The teams will be divided into six groups of four and the top two finishers from each section and the four best third-placed teams will advance to the elimination round. The respective losers in the knockout section will progress to the plate division to battle for positions 5-16.
Although the list of schools are yet to be finalised, the possible competing teams are: Ann’s Grove, Beterverwagting, Den Amstel, Enterprise, F.E. Pollard, Genesis, Grahams Hall, J.E. Burnham, Mae’s, Marian Academy, Mocha, North Georgetown, Redeemer, School of the Nations, Smith’s Memorial, Soesdyke, Sophia, South Ruimveldt, St. Agnes, St. Ambrose, St. Angela’s, St. Margaret’s, St. Pius, St. Stephen’s, Timehri, Tucville, Victoria, Westminster, West Ruimveldt, and Winfer Gardens,.
The winner of the tournament will receive the championship trophy, gold medals, and a pair of uniforms. Each player will also be presented with an electronic tablet. The runners-up will collect a trophy, silver medals and six balls. The third place finisher will pocket a trophy, and four balls while the fourth placed side will walk away with a trophy.
On the individual side, a trophy and a pair of football cleats will be presented to the eventual Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal Scorer, and Best Goalkeeper.
Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca in his remarks stated, “To the management and staff of this company, we thank you for your commitment. You have really demonstrated what you believe in to ‘Bring Value Home’. You will definitely bring value to the lives of these youngsters that will be participating in this tournament.”
He added, “At its best, football is a powerful force for good in society and in this case, it provides a platform for these young kids to get involved at an early age that can realise an inner ability that otherwise would not have been [identified]. It gives them an opportunity to interact with other kids from different backgrounds and also helps to develop leaders in their own rights and even contribute to their physical attributes, so we see how important this investment is.”
Courts Director of Consumer Finance, Richard Allan, commended the Ministry of Education and the Petra Organization for the initiative, which aids in the holistic development of Guyana’s young people, adding that the company is proud to be part of such a platform, as they have been part of the fabric of Guyana following a residency of 29 years.
Meanwhile, Guyana Football Federation Technical Director, Bryan Joseph, stated that it is important to recognise the investment made by the company, noting that the tournament has provided a pathway for many eventual junior national players to be identified.
He further praised the promotional entity in their role as a valuable partner to the GFF, adding that the federation cannot develop football on its own volition and requires partners in the mould of Petra Organization, Courts, and the Ministry of Education, for such a reality to be realised.
Similarly, Ministry of Education representative, Kurt Brathwaite, noted that the advancement of youth is the present mandate of the agency, and that the body is elated to be part of any activity that involves the development of children nationally.
He declared that the Ministry is always primed to support developmental projects, adding that the Petra Organization has always charted developmental initiatives at the grassroots level which is the ideal place for such an objective. Brathwaite posited that social, mental and physical development is important and part of the overall fabric of sports.
