THE Georgetown Football Association (GFA)/Trix Under-17 Round Robin/Knock-Out tournament was launched yesterday at the Bryden and Fernandes boardroom.

The tournament which will involve 12 teams is expected to kick-off on May 30 at the GFC ground with a double-header.

The 12 teams have been divided into three groups of four teams each and according the GFA’s general secretary Marlon Cole; the top two teams from each group along with the best two third-placed teams from the round-robin stage will advance to the knock-out stage.

In this Sonell Nelson photo, GFA 3rd vice-president Jason Benjamin (third right) accepts the sponsorship cheque from Bryden and Fernandes Marketing Coordinator Mark Kendall, while others posing with some of the trophies that are up for grabs are from left: Bryden and Fernandes Marketing Representative Rawle Davson, GFA general secretary Marlon Cole and the association’s PRO Sampson Gilbert.

Group `A’ comprises Santos, Fruta Conquerors, Alpha United and GFC, Group `B’ is made up of Uprising, Pele, Riddim Squad and Flamingo and Group `C’ consists of Renaissance, Thomas United, Sunburst Camptown and BK International Western Tigers.

Trophies will be awarded to the top four teams as well as the Highest Goal Scorer, the Best Goalkeeper and the Most Valuable Player.

Bryden and Fernandes Marketing Coordinator, Mark Kendall, in brief remarks yesterday, informed that this is his company’s first involvement with the GFA and it was indeed a great pleasure to work with the organisation in the development and promotion of association football.

“We applaud the association for creating the opportunity to help the development of our young people and their communities,” Kendall stated, adding “as the sponsor for the Under-17 tournament, we would like to proudly introduce the Trix Drink Mix as the official name for this tournament.”

Kendall charged the teams to showcase a good brand of football and excellent sportsmanship during the ten weeks of competition. “May the best team win!” he added.

He said his company would like to thank the GFA for selecting Bryden and Fernandes as a sponsor of the tournament and they look forward to a continued relationship with the GFA.

The Association’s third vice-president Jason Benjamin in thanking Bryden and Fernandes for coming on board said he is positive that the efforts by Bryden and Fernandes will be emulated by other corporate entities.

Benjamin said he was also positive that the skills to be imparted through the medium of the competition will greatly enhance Guyana’s youths and fill part of the void that lies open like the gaping hole in the mouth of a volcano.

He said many persons constantly lament the fact that the business community is guilty of not taking care of the people who support the very persons who have embraced them, but once again, Bryden and Fernandes is proving this to be untrue.

He went on to state that this is the company’s maiden voyage in this direction and they must be applauded for their efforts in promoting positivism, since it is no secret that these are considered tough economic times, yet the sponsors have made a huge commitment to ensuring that the groundwork is laid.

For the opening day of the competition, Santos will come up against Fruta Conquerors from 08:00 h and Uprising will face Pele from 10:00 h.
Both matches will be played at the GFC ground and will be of 70 minutes duration with two equal halves of 35 minutes each.