THE second annual Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools Football Academy was officially launched yesterday in the pavilion of the Ministry of Education’s Ground, Carifesta Avenue, where officials of the Ministries and sponsors were gathered. Chairman of the organising committee of the Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF), Colin Baker, opened his remarks thanking the two major sponsors for their support in continuing the programme.
He stated that the Schools Football Academy is a three-phase programme which entails the coaching aspect which is attended by Physical Education teachers of the competing schools; the Referees Programme which the students will attend and finally the Tournament phase when the schools compete against each other for top honours.
Baker said he was pleased to have the event continued even though it has not progressed at a pace he envisioned. However, the tournament has attracted twelve schools this year opposed to eight schools last year.
The chairman also said that they have achieved their goal of keeping students in school, to work with a balanced curriculum. That was forced by the compulsory rule which read: if a student is to participate in the academy, he/she must regularly attended classes.
This year’s academy has the potential to be better than the inaugural run because of the systems implemented to make every aspect concrete and with help from foreign and local national coaches, the academy seems to be on track.
Scotiabank’s Marketing Manager Jennifer Cipriani-Nelson and DDL’s Marketing Manager Sharda Veeran-Chand were in the same boat, as they said their companies were esteemed to once again bring the Scotiabank/Pepsi Schools’ Football Academy.
Nelson elaborated that after several months of planning with stakeholders they decided it was necessary that groundwork be laid prior to the tournament. “Looking at the first tournament, we are extremely proud of what was achieved and believe this year will be better.”
On the other hand, Veeran-Chand disclosed that this tournament is one that keeps youths away from negative acts and DDL is proud to support any such cause.
Also making remarks at the launching ceremony was Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) General Secretary Noel Adonis and Administrator of Education Ministry’s Allied Arts Unit, Desiree Wyles-Ogle.
Meanwhile, GSDF’s Board of Directors expressed their sincere appreciation to the following sponsors and stakeholders: Scotiabank, DDL, Head Teachers and other teachers, the students, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, GFF, Guyana Football Referee Council and the Guyana Teachers Union.