Pele Football Club alumni to host Youth Development seminar

The Pele Football Club Alumni Corporation is set to host its annual Youth Development Seminar on April 22nd and 23rd, 2025, at the Marian Academy, Carifesta Avenue.

The two-day programme aims to empower 100 young participants with knowledge and skills across various sectors.

The seminar will feature a diverse group of facilitators covering topics ranging from the burgeoning oil and gas industry and healthcare to aviation, dental hygiene, social etiquette, suicide and mental health awareness, gender-based violence, essential life skills, and insights into the aviation sector.

Notable presenters include Georgetown Public Hospital CEO Robbie Rambarran and Cecil Jacques, both former Presidents of Pele Football Club.

They will be joined by other former club Presidents, Dr. Colin Watson, Desire Edghill, Warren Oudkerk, Wenceslas Laundry, and Dawn Braithwaite.

Dirk Exeter, the current President of Pele FC, will also address the attendees, with the keynote address at the opening ceremony to be delivered by Floyd Haynes.

Patrick ‘Labba’ Barton, Executive Board member and Treasurer of the Pele FC Alumni Corporation, highlighted the commitment of the US-based group, primarily composed of former Pele FC players from the 1970s and 1980s, to give back to their homeland by focusing on youth development.

“This initiative has been ongoing for many years, and we remain deeply committed to it,” Barton said. “It brings us immense joy and satisfaction each year to empower these young people through our programmes. We dedicate significant effort to realizing our vision of enabling young individuals to stay focused, aim high, and strive for excellence.”

Eric ‘Riggie’ Smith, another board member of the Pele FC Alumni, emphasized the motivation derived from witnessing the success of youths supported through their scholarship programme.

He shared a particularly inspiring story: “Many of these kids lack the financial means to pursue their educational dreams. We decided to select some and provide monthly support. We’ve seen encouraging results, with one student successfully completing pilot school and now working towards gaining their license.”

Smith further noted that this success story fuels the Pele FC Alumni Corporation’s drive.

The organization also continues to support the Pele Football Club directly, with over twenty players from the club scheduled to attend the seminar. Each participant will receive a backpack filled with essential school supplies.

Ahead of the seminar, the Pele FC Alumni organized a one-day football fiesta on Thursday, April 17th, at the Ministry of Education Ground.

The event featured three matches: Pele Under-13s against Vurlon Mills Academy, a senior clash between Pele and Santos rekindling a long-standing rivalry, and a final match between the Under-19 teams of Pele and Buxton Stars.