GuyOil School League returns with further focus on talent-spotting

The Guyana Oil Company (GuyOil) School Football League will make its return on October 27 at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue, and the focus is once again on providing a platform for budding talents to showcase their skills.

Instead of 12 teams as was the case last year, 10 secondary school teams will do battle in the Under-18 League, which is expected to conclude on December 8.

According to Co-Director of Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, the nine rounds of matches will duly test the mettle of the young players. He added that a league at any level of youth football is imperative to developing players.

From a company’s perspective, seeing talents grow and at the same time offering students a balance to school life has encouraged the continued support. This was the message from both GuyOil and Tradewind Tankers representatives.

Marketing and Sales Manager for GuyOil, Jacqueline James, stated, “It is an opportunity for another young star to grow and come out from this tournament…also you are doing something you love and it gives you an opportunity to give back to your school by doing projects.”

Similarly, Jorge Abukhalil, Director at Tradewind Tankers, expressed, “We strongly believe in sports, we believe it is a great opportunity for you guys not only develop physical activity, but also develop the skill of playing as a team.”

The participating teams are defending champions Annandale Secondary, St. Stanislaus College, St. John’s College, President’s College, Bishops’ High, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Marian Academy, Lodge Secondary, Queen’s College and Charlestown Secondary. Tucville Secondary and Carmel Secondary are the standby teams.

Financial constraints mean the prizes are reduced to $200,000 for first, and $100,000, $50,000 and $25,000 respectively for second to fourth.

The financial bugbear was the mean reason most schools out of the city were not included, specifically Christianburg Wismar Secondary, who brought second last year.