After a lengthy delay due to unforeseen circumstances, the Petra Organisation will finally run off their highly anticipated Milo U-18 Schools Football Tournament, with the opening round slated for Saturday.
Ahead of Saturday’s kick-off, Petra held a team briefing and ball-handover exercise that was conducted yesterday at the Conference Room of the National Library at Church and Main Streets. It was attended by teachers, coaches, and students of some of the participating teams.
At the briefing, Co-Director of Petra Organisation Troy Mendonca issued heartfelt remarks and commended all stakeholders, including the teachers and students, for staying the course and sticking with the tournament, which now heads into its 10th edition.
“I am proud to be here and to have this conversation. It represents the tenth time that we have been here. I must reiterate that we, students, teachers, the media, the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), and the Referees Council should give ourselves due kudos for being here a tenth time,” Mendonca declared.
He held special commendations for the teachers who work hard behind the scenes to ensure that their respective schools participate. “A lot of you do this out of love and passion; hopefully one day we can have a structure where you can be rewarded for all your hard work.”
He also thanked Massy Distributors under their Nestle Milo brand for “believing in us for another year.”
Due to the delayed start, Mendonca revealed that while the Petra Organisation does not like to hold games during the school break, this time around there will be games over the Easter break, something that is unavoidable.
In ending his remarks, Mendonca notably urged teachers to be vigilant in terms of violence in schools.
“Hopefully this tournament and many more tournaments can aid in helping the kids learn to interact and socialise with each other in a friendly manner.”
Meanwhile, Joel Gonsalves, an Education Officer attached to the Allied Arts Unit within the Ministry of Education, was on hand to address the students and teachers.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Education, we are extremely happy to see that this tournament is on for the tenth time. To see young people involved in sports is definitely a privilege. Education and football bring different groups together and promote team building,” Gonsalves noted.
“Win or lose, we have to know that yes, if we win, we celebrate, and if we don’t win, we have to have discipline to go back to the drawing board to do better next time.”.
Gonsalves also took note of how the tournament provides a talent pool for football and predicted that some of this year’s participants will, in the future, represent the country.
“Best of luck to all of you, and may the best team win,” he ended.
The Milo U-18 Schools, which has been staged for just about a decade, has become one of Petra’s marquee tournaments in the Schools Football Arena and has consistently produced footballers who have gone on to represent the Golden Jaguars.
25 teams will be competing for top honours starting Saturday, with schools from all regions across Guyana being represented, while last year’s winners, Santa Rosa Secondary, will look to defend their crown.
The tournament kicks off with games at the Queens College Ground from midday on Saturday and at the Ministry of Education Ground in the evening. (Michelangelo Jacobus)
