Georgetown, East Coast teams to kick-start return of Digicel School football

Teams from Georgetown and East Coast Demerara will be the first to hit the field when the Digicel School’s Football Championship returns this weekend.

At Friday’s release of official fixtures, Petra Organisation’s coordinators also unveiled the lien trophy.

Last held in 2017, the tournament will feature 148 schools from the ten administrative regions.

After the regional games, 32 teams will advance to a national playoff, taking a knockout format.

The matches on Saturday, June 24, will be staged at the National Insurance ground and Ministry of Education ground, both on Carifesta Avenue.

The teams in action will be Bladen Hall Secondary against Plaisance Secondary from 11:00h at NIS Ground, while next door, La Bonne Intention Secondary, plays Beterverwagting Secondary.

From 12:45h, East Ruimveldt faces South Ruimveldt Secondary at Education Ground, followed by Marian Academy and Ascension Secondary from 14:30h.

Meanwhile, Freeburg Secondary will be engaged against Richard Ishmael Secondary at NIS.

From 16:15h, the Institute of Academic Excellence will be up against West Ruimveldt at Education ground, and at NIS, Queen’s College come against Christ Church Secondary.

Chase Academy won the last tournament in 2017, while Christianburg Wismar Secondary has been the most successful school in the competition’s history, winning four championships and being runner-up twice.

As with all school football competitions organised by the Petra Organisation, the cash prizes will go towards a project at the school.

The champion team is guaranteed G$1 million, runner-up G$500,000, third G$300,000 and fourth G$200,000. Individual prizes will be for Most Valuable Player, Highest Goalscorer and Best Goalkeeper, while a group award will be given for the Most Disciplined Team.