… Other sporting disciplines to be implemented
SIDELINE Dam (Block D) clinched their second consecutive victory in the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s annual inter-block football competition when they beat Triumph (Block B) 3-0 in the final encounter of the Beterverwagting (BV) leg of the nationwide tournament.

Quacey Price, Gerald Whittington and Collin Jones were the heroes who ensured victory for their team as they scored one goal each.

The team, consisting of a whopping 50% of professional players from the BV Triumph United FC, boasts an untarnished record in the inter-block tournament. The players have now won both of the editions that have so far been played.

At a small presentation ceremony at the Ministry yesterday, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony applauded the team on their victory.

The Minister also said that despite skepticism in the beginning, this movement aimed at getting sports into the community and has been successful.

Furthermore, it is because of the success that the Ministry is introducing the inter-block format in other areas of sport some of which are: basketball, volleyball and softball cricket.

Dr Anthony said that all necessary equipment will be provided for these initiatives as he sees this as “a good collaboration between Ministry and community”. He said that apart from all that the Ministry is doing, private sector support is needed and such partnerships are being encouraged.

“There has been a great improvement in BV,” said Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry, Steve Ninvalle, who noted that coordinators in that area took the initiative to allocate funds, which they used, to pay cash prizes to the winning teams.

Ninvalle also indicated that the Ministry’s intention is to introduce the basketball aspect of the inter-block format as early as July.

Captain of the winning side that recorded two wins, one loss and one draw in the tournament, Collin Jones, who is a utility player for the BV Triumph United FC, said that his team’s aim of setting a standard for the tournament has been achieved.

Jones revealed that the sport provides a lot of benefits to the community as it helps the youths to drown out the negativity in life and it also provides an opportunity to scout for talented players. The inter-block football competition is ongoing and the Ann’s Grove leg kicks off on Sunday.