ExxonMobil U14 Schools Football
By Michaelangelo Jacobus
Today at the Ministry of Education Ground on Carifesta Avenue, two U14 girls school football teams will line up opposite each other in the final of the ExxonMobil U14 Schools Football tournament as familiar foes.
In a repeat of last year’s Girls final, President’s College will face Waramuri Primary Top. This time around, PC, will be looking for redemption and revenge as they lost the 2023 title to Waramuri.
However, Waramuri will be no easy challenge as they have been in sublime form yet again this year, putting all comers to the sword.
Preparation in any sport is key to giving an individual or a team the best chance of coming out on top. It is with this in mind that the PC girls have been fastidious in their approach to this year’s tournament.
Williams (right) poses with Waramuri
Primary Top skipper and the Girls trophy.
Ahead of today’s all-important match, Stabroek Sport reached out to the PC coach, Troy Morrison and their star striker, the leader of the team, Kimora Williams.
Quizzed on his side’s preparation ahead of the tournament which began more than a month ago, Morrison, a Physical Education (PE) teacher at the East Coast School, revealed that a post mortem of sorts was conducted on his side’s performance last year.
“We were looking at some key factors, one being where the team finished last year, how they played against Waramuri in the final, what were some of our weaknesses and some of the loopholes that we could fix. We had to understand the players’ personalities, to understand their skill level and where they work best as well” Morrison noted.
“We examined our fundamentals, our passing skills, receiving skills and of course the attack and defence”, he continued.
The analytical aspect aside, Morrison and his charges have also been putting in the hours on the training ground. “We had to put in the work, and we had to show the desire to get back to the final once again and we have to look to win it this year”, he said.
Asked about the team’s mood before today’s final, remarkably, instead of being nervy, Morrison’s charges are ‘chomping at the bit’ in anticipation of a good game.
Secondary captains face off ahead of today’s final.
“We are excited, the girls are happy to see that their hard work has paid off to make it back to the final. It will be a rematch between the two schools, last year they got the better of us. However, this year, we are more prepared, we are highly motivated to take away the chip this year. We are looking forward to a good match from Waramuri also because they are going to come out with their best and we will be waiting with our best also”.
Williams, who hails from the indigenous village of Kamarang in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), has been banging the goals in for PC and explained to this newspaper that she was drawn to the sport through her village’s love of football.
“By football being the most popular sport in my village (Kamarang) and watching my siblings play football at a very young age. It inspired me to play football.”
Asked about where her inspiration comes from in terms of performing in the game, Williams noted; “It has always been my siblings pushing me to do my best and also being committed and disciplined. Having a strong mind towards the game has also helped me a lot”.
For Kimora, the next game is always her best game; “The thought that I can do better in every single game, which I know I can, has always motivated me to play harder”.
She will be looking to stay true to that line of thought in today’s match to avenge last year’s loss and bring redemption to her school.
While it will be PC versus Waramuri in the Girls final, Chase’s Academic Foundation will clash with Dolphin Secondary in the Boys final.
The girls final kicks off at 4 pm while the Boys final is slated for 5 pm.
Earlier in the day, Bartica Secondary will face Santa Rosa Secondary in the Girls third place playoff with Leonora Secondary and South Ruimveldt will be in action at 3 pm for third place in the Boys competition.
