Last held in 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the ExxonMobil Under-14 Schools football tournament will make its return on Saturday where 32 teams will vie for top honours in the Boys and Girls categories in what will be its third edition.
Though the emphasis for the energetic pupils and Physical Education teachers will be on performances on the field, for ExxonMobil, there is a bigger picture of youth and community development.
According to ExxonMobil’s Community Relations Advisor, Ryan Hoppie, their partnership with the Petra Organisation, which facilitates the tournament, is one where they establish meaningful relationships and build on them as an integral part to ensure communities benefit from social enhancement.
Additionally, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., applauded all for their continued efforts to develop youth and instilled it is imperative to build a programme that has a vision for future development with all stakeholders.
“It is our interest that we advance the long-term interest of the country. How do you do that? You have to build confidence and belief in the future. How do you do it? We have to double-down our interests now”, Minister Ramson Jr. conveyed at the tournament’s launch on Tuesday at Cara Lodge.
“There are many folks who are coming into the country…they are bringing a lot of things that are very important to us. For us to harness the best interests for the country, we have to give them the sensible avenue for them to believe and make that long-term partnership for the future of our country, and building that hope for everyone”, the Minister added.
Assistant Technical Director of the Guyana Football Federation, Bryan Joseph, highlighted that from a national perspective, the tournament adds another platform for the display of talent as the GFF looks to identify players for Concacaf youth tournaments.
Meanwhile, the Co-Director of the Petra Organisaton, Troy Mendonca, revealed that the tournament attracted 24 boys and eight girls teams.
The tournament will play on a round-robin/knockout basis. However, the 24 boys’ teams will be divided into four groups of six, which will then be reduced to 16 teams.
Thereafter, there will be no more elimination as teams will vie for positions one to 16.
A similar approach will occur for the girls’ tournament and the organisers have scheduled Saturdays as match days at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
