Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 21, 2015 Sports
Mindful of several disputes that threatened to put a bad taste in tournaments of the past, Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam speaking at the
Launching of the 3rd Annual Nestle Milo Under-20 Schools Football Competition urged all connected with the tournament to ensure that participants have good attendance and behaviour records.
The CEO told the gathering that included Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca, Nestle Milo representative Renita Sital and Chase Academy’s Henry Chase that this year’s competition should see some amount of eligibility changes for students among which should be a minimum Grade Point average thereby encouraging participants to see themselves as student athletes and not merely footballers.
According to Sam, the world has moved in this direction a long time ago, informing that there is a distinct advantage between the two. He said the student athlete very often could interpret concepts and tactics much better than the one who is just a pure athlete, but cautioned that because the changes will now be implemented he does not expect sweeping changes immediately.
Sam opened by welcoming Petra Organisation to the fold, adding that it has been a consistent partner with the Ministry, while his entity has also recognised the important levels football is being at over the past three years.
”What we’ve noted is that we are now at a stage where we can demand more and that the sport can now contribute to the school system,” Sam mentioned. He further added that the Ministry did notice the evolution of a girls’ tournament which from all reports was successfully run and for this the Ministry was exceptionally pleased. Sam wished the Organisers a successful tournament this year.
Sital in her presentation after expressing satisfaction about the tournament’s success last year called on parents to come out and not only witness the games, but also listen to what the students say about ‘gender-based Violence’, an issue she reminded is a topical one in our society.
Milo she stated is the drink of champions and was pleased to once again be associated with the tournament. Mendonca said the Organisation was proud to be back again and applauded the sponsor Nestle Milo for placing faith in them to organise the tournament, one which is assisting in the development of young people.
He thanked both the ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health for their continued support over the duration of the tournament. Mendonca too called on parents and guardians to come out and offer support to the students.
Chase, who has become a vital partner in the competition in his remarks, spoke of his school’s involvement which according to him is to award four fully subsidized scholarships to outstanding players coming out of the tournament.
An ardent football fan, Chase said apart from his genuine concern about the standard of the game locally, he also realized that there were many players out there with loads of talent, but did not have the opportunity to compete academically.
”I decided that I had to get involved to rescue some of those talented players who were not performing at a desired level academically and who were forced to quit the traditional school system for varying reasons.”
He pointed out that they will be able to attend school, get a good education and still train in the afternoons. Meanwhile, Mendonca questioned about the idea to collaborate with the Normalisation Committee (NC) of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) said that it is the Organisation’s wish that they meet soon to start discussions on the way forward.
He said a plan must be constructed to capture players with the talent after the competition is over and this issue is among a range of topics that they hope to ventilate whenever the chance to meet with the NC arises.
He mentioned the realisation of an academy as one way in which the talent pool could have continuity, while the placing of at least one coach at primary and secondary schools could also be a good approach.
Thirty-two teams will be divided into eight groups of four and the tournament is set to kick off on January 31 with four games being played on each day. The winners will receive $500,000, runner-up $300,000, 3rd place $200,000 and 4th place $100,000, all of which will go towards a Project of the school’s choice. Outstanding individual players will also receive prizes.
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