3rd Petra/Milo Under-20 Football tournament officially launched
Milo Brand Manager Renita Sital hands over her company’s cheque to Petra Organisation’s Troy Mendonca in the presence of Ministry of Education CEO Olato Sam and other members of the organising committee. (Adrian Narine photo)
Milo Brand Manager Renita Sital hands over her company’s cheque to Petra Organisation’s Troy Mendonca in the presence of Ministry of Education CEO Olato Sam and other members of the organising committee. (Adrian Narine photo)

PETRA Organisation was hailed for having a very successful year in 2014, promoting Schools Football in all age groups, in keeping with its mandate to foster the development of the game at the schools level.

Yesterday, the organisation launched its third Annual Milo-sponsored U-20 Schools football tournament, featuring 32 high schools in Georgetown who will vie to not only dethrone defending champions Lodge Secondary, but also lift the tournament’s first prize of $500 000, which will go to their school.
The schools finishing second through fourth will win $300 000, $200 000 and $100 000 respectively.
This year Chief Education Officer (CEO) Olato Sam, while addressing the gathering of media officials and sponsors at yesterday’s launching, stressed the importance of the participants from the various schools, demonstrating good behaviour and for the schools to ensure that their players have good attendance records, before allowing them to participate in the championships.
Sam is of the opinion that this year’s competition should see some amount of eligibility changes for students among which should be a minimum Grade Point average, thereby encouraging participants to see themselves as student athletes and not merely footballers, in keeping with the rest of the world.
The Education Ministry’s CEO showered Petra Organisation with praise for being a constant partner with his ministry, stating that they have been constant with fostering student athletes at all levels of the game.
“What we’ve noted is that we are now at a stage where we can demand more and that the sport can now contribute to the school system,” Sam said.
Milo Brand Manager Renita Sital, stressed that her company Beepat and Sons was more than willing to come on board for the third consecutive year since the tournament was a major success and had achieved its objective.
She made a call to parents to come out and show support for their children, with Milo being the ‘Drink of Champions’ and assured the continuity of the tournament and its association with the brand.
Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca said that the Organisation was proud to be back again and applauded the sponsor Nestle Milo for placing faith in them to organise the tournament, one which is assisting in the development of young people.
He thanked both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health for their continued support over the duration of the tournament. Mendonca also called on parents to come out and offer support to the students.
Meanwhile, Mendonca when quizzed about the thought of collaborating with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee (NC) to aid in their effort to develop the game from the youth level said that plans are in place to have the two entities engage in a meaningful discussion on the way forward.

(By Rawle Toney)

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