.jpg)
SCOTIABANK and the Demerara Distillers Limited, under their Pepsi brand, yesterday both handed over cheques to the value of $1.9M making the contribution the largest, as the Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF) gets ready to host its 3rd Schools Football Academy. The Academy will for the first time feature teams from both Linden and Berbice, along with those from the city, competing in the 24-team male and female championship.
At yesterday’s presentation, which was chaired by GSDF Director John Yates, both entities expressed delight at being part of the event which helps in sustenance and development of football in Guyana.
DDL’s Beverage Sales and Marketing Manager Alexis Langhorne said the fact that her company is on board for the third consecutive year should be a clear indication of them wanting to ensure that some aspiring football player in school can be given a chance to showcase his talent on a national scale.
“As a company our focus has always been to give back to the communities in which we operate, in meaningful ways. Two key areas of focus for us have always been the development of our youths and the growth of sports in Guyana,” said Langhorne.
She added that her company is impressed with the fact that the tournament “provides an opportunity for engagement of our youths and we are providing training to the teachers so that there can be some continuation after the activity is completed.”
Jennifer Cipriani-Nelson, Scotiabank’s Production and Marketing Manager spoke of the tournament starting with eight schools in 2011 and now has 24 school stretching across three regions of Guyana.
“This growth in the programme, not only in number but in expansion to schools from Berbice and Linden, is heartening for Scotiabank as a co-sponsor. It is also an affirmation that our decision to partner with the GSDF and DDL three years ago was a great one,” Cipriani-Nelson noted.
She further lauded the GSDF which is primarily made up of organsations as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sport, Guyana Football Referees Council and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), further mentioning that the event is more than just a tournament which makes it stands out.
“This sponsorship, which is done under Scotiabank’s Bright Future Programme, seeks to ensure that we give our children a brighter future by creating opportunities for them through football. I trust that our children will seize this developmental opportunity and ask that their teachers and parents encourage and support them so they can realise their full potential not only at football but in life,” said Cipriani-Nelson.
President of the GFF, Franklin Wilson, said the academy plays a major role in Guyana’s football, referring to the fact that most of the players shortlisted for the Under-17 women’s World Cup qualifiers are from the GSDF programme and he pointed out that the tournament helps participants to foster a relationship of sports and education.
Coming out of last year’s programme, the GSDF had an all-star female team training continuously for approximately six months. The team participated in an U-21 Female Football Competition and won over established teams from Berbice and West Demerara.
Previously a number of females coming out of this programme represented Guyana in the CFU World C up U-17 Qualifiers with the Female National U-17 Team winning their group’s playoff in Guyana and going on to Jamaica for the next round.
There will be a Referees Training Course from March 4 to 6 for students who can use same to assist in their preparation for the CXC examination.
The tournament phase of the programme will commence on March 23 with matches being played every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with matches being played simultaneously in the three regions over a four-month period.
At yesterday’s presentation, which was chaired by GSDF Director John Yates, both entities expressed delight at being part of the event which helps in sustenance and development of football in Guyana.
DDL’s Beverage Sales and Marketing Manager Alexis Langhorne said the fact that her company is on board for the third consecutive year should be a clear indication of them wanting to ensure that some aspiring football player in school can be given a chance to showcase his talent on a national scale.
“As a company our focus has always been to give back to the communities in which we operate, in meaningful ways. Two key areas of focus for us have always been the development of our youths and the growth of sports in Guyana,” said Langhorne.
She added that her company is impressed with the fact that the tournament “provides an opportunity for engagement of our youths and we are providing training to the teachers so that there can be some continuation after the activity is completed.”
Jennifer Cipriani-Nelson, Scotiabank’s Production and Marketing Manager spoke of the tournament starting with eight schools in 2011 and now has 24 school stretching across three regions of Guyana.
“This growth in the programme, not only in number but in expansion to schools from Berbice and Linden, is heartening for Scotiabank as a co-sponsor. It is also an affirmation that our decision to partner with the GSDF and DDL three years ago was a great one,” Cipriani-Nelson noted.
She further lauded the GSDF which is primarily made up of organsations as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Sport, Guyana Football Referees Council and the Guyana Football Federation (GFF), further mentioning that the event is more than just a tournament which makes it stands out.
“This sponsorship, which is done under Scotiabank’s Bright Future Programme, seeks to ensure that we give our children a brighter future by creating opportunities for them through football. I trust that our children will seize this developmental opportunity and ask that their teachers and parents encourage and support them so they can realise their full potential not only at football but in life,” said Cipriani-Nelson.
President of the GFF, Franklin Wilson, said the academy plays a major role in Guyana’s football, referring to the fact that most of the players shortlisted for the Under-17 women’s World Cup qualifiers are from the GSDF programme and he pointed out that the tournament helps participants to foster a relationship of sports and education.
Coming out of last year’s programme, the GSDF had an all-star female team training continuously for approximately six months. The team participated in an U-21 Female Football Competition and won over established teams from Berbice and West Demerara.
Previously a number of females coming out of this programme represented Guyana in the CFU World C up U-17 Qualifiers with the Female National U-17 Team winning their group’s playoff in Guyana and going on to Jamaica for the next round.
There will be a Referees Training Course from March 4 to 6 for students who can use same to assist in their preparation for the CXC examination.
The tournament phase of the programme will commence on March 23 with matches being played every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday with matches being played simultaneously in the three regions over a four-month period.
