The annual Milo School Under-18 Football tournament will make its return on February 15 and distribution company, Beepats, through its Milo brand, has invested approximately four million dollars into the competition.
The official launch was held on Friday afternoon at Beepats warehouse, Dennis Street, Sophia.
The continued support is most welcomed by Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca. He felt it is imperative to have the sport played in order for it to grow.
“Without the sport being played, even if you have development programmes, it does not matter unless sport is played…when sport succeeds the country benefits and if you want development it needed to be played at a high standard,” Mendonca stated.
From a national standpoint, the tournament has produced players who have gone on to play both at the junior and senior national levels, according to Guyana Football Federation Youth Development Officer, Bryan Joseph.
Director of Beepats, Kristofer Beepat, and Beepats Nestle Brand Manager, Shellona David, both spoke about the company’s committed support which comes as a result of seeing social development across Guyana, since apart from building healthy bodies, as the Milo drink does, it keeps young people gainfully occupied
The tournament will run until April 19 and will feature 24 teams, eight of which are out of Georgetown.
The top four teams will receive $400,000, $200,000, $100,000 and $50,000 respectively to fund a project of their choice at their respective schools.
The participating secondary schools are: Bishops’ High School, South Ruimveldt, New Central, Cummings Lodge, Carmel, Golden Grove, St. Stanislaus College, Christ Church, St. John’s College, Marian Academy, Charlestown, East Ruimveldt, St. Joseph, Canje, Christianbrug-Wismar, Annandale, Tucville, President’s College, Golden Grove, Ann’s Grove, Uitvlugt, Vergenogen, Friendship and North Ruimveldt (standby).
