The MVP Sports Girls’ Pee Wee U-11 Football Championship will commence this Saturday, marking an exciting event for young female footballers nationwide.
With 16 schools participating, the tournament promises to showcase emerging talent at the grassroots level.
To aid in the preparations, the Petra Organisation recently conducted a ball distribution exercise at the National Library, ensuring that each school attended received a football to assist with their training.
MVP Sports, located at the Giftland Mall, makes the championship possible.
Ian Ramdeo, the proprietor of MVP Sports, expressed excitement about the initiative and stressed the company’s commitment to collaborating with the Petra Organisation.
He noted that focusing on the female football segment is crucial, given the historical challenges in securing sponsorships for women’s sports.
Ramdeo remarked on the necessity of ongoing support for the development of female football, which is increasingly gaining local and global traction.
Guyana Beverage Incorporated (GBI), specifically through its Koolkidz brand, supported the tournament.
Earl Higgins, the Competition Coordinator of GBI, praised the Petra Organisation for its commitment to nurturing football at the grassroots level, recognizing the critical role such initiatives play in fostering a love for the sport among young girls.
The event is also strongly supported and endorsed by the Ministries of Education and Culture, Youth, and Sport, affirming its relevance in promoting sports among young women.
Troy Mendonca, Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, expressed his gratitude to the teachers and coaches for their unwavering support in making this event a reality.
He emphasised that the tournament has historically produced several players who have transitioned to the national programme, underscoring its significance in the development of youth football in Guyana.
Mendonca further highlighted the importance of corporate sponsorship in providing the necessary resources for advancing sports, particularly for female athletes.
The championship will be hosted at the Ministry of Education ground on Carifesta Avenue and will feature an initial group stage format.
Participating teams include Marian Academy, the defending champions, along with One Mile, St. John the Baptist, Batavia, Potaro, Friendship, Genesis, Waramuri, School of the Nations, Smith Memorial Primary, Stella Marris, Tucville, West Ruimveldt, Georgetown International Academy (GIA), North Georgetown, F.E. Pollard, and others.
The tournament will crown a champion and reward the top four finishers with significant prizes.
The winner will receive $100,000 for a project, trophies, and medals.
The second, third, and fourth-place finishers will be awarded $75,000, $50,000, and $25,000, respectively, to support their initiatives.
Additionally, individual accolades such as the most valuable player, highest goal scorer, and best goalkeeper will be presented to recognize outstanding performances throughout the tournament.
