THE COURTS Pee-Wee Round Robin Knockout Football Tournament for Primary Schools was officially launched yesterday in the boardroom of the sponsor, COURTS Guyana Inc., Main Street and will kick off on October 20 and

run until December 1.
The Under-11 tournament is one sanctioned by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and organised by the newly formed Petra Organisation which deals with the development of the sport. Banks DIH is also onboard this venture through their Malta Supreme brand.
The co-directors of the Organisation are former Georgetown Football Association (GFA) president and vice-president Troy Mendonca and Marlan Cole. Under the leadership of Mendonca, the GFA was at its all-time high running off at least nine tournaments per year from the Under-11 to Premier League.
Making remarks at the launch were Managing Director of COURTS Guyana Inc., Clyde de Haas, COURTS Marketing Executive Molly Hassan and Ministry of Education’s Allison Rawlins. Their remarks were heard by teachers and representatives of the participating schools.
De Haas said, “We are proud to commence the third year of Pee-Wee Football under the COURTS brand and also laud the effort of the Ministry of Education and Petra Organisation to let youths balance both sport and curriculum.”
“One should not underestimate the magnitude of football and what it can bring to youths and future leaders who engage in physical activities,” he stated.
The Managing Director disclosed that the event will be a fixed one on their calendar. Value of the sponsorship for this year’s tournament is in excess of two million dollars.
When Mendonca spoke, the former national player said that the tournament will be one with a difference. It is designed in such as way that each school will play every week. The sixteen teams will be divided into four groups and will play on a round-robin basis then the top two teams of each group will battle for top honours up to eighth position.
The bottom teams in the four groups will also engage themselves for ninth to sixteenth positions. According to Mendonca, this grassroots tournament is one which they hope will give youths a chance to showcase their talent.
He believes Guyana football needs talent to be nurtured from young to develop into good players for the country and this is the level to start.
Rawlins stated that it gives the MoE pleasure to be a part of this prestigious event. “The Ministry of Education will always support well organised ventures. We hope that the event won’t be a one off venture but something the teachers and students can look forward to every year,” she said.
The Primary Schools are: Marian Academy, Green Acres, West Ruimveldt, St Margaret’s, St Sidwell’s, Tucville, South Ruimveldt, North Georgetown, Ketley, St Gabriel’s, F.E Pollard, Enterprise, St Pius, Sophia, Success and Redeemer.
The tournament will be taking place at the Banks DIH Thirst Park Ground but the first three weeks of the tournament will be hosted at a venue on Carifesta Avenue to be announced later.