By: Ras Wadada

DIRECTOR/Principal of 2016 Digicel U-18 Schools Knockout Champions, Chase Academy, is delighted at the school’s success but is urging the support of Guyana so as to continue providing opportunities for less fortunate students.“I am extremely happy and want to first give thanks to God without whose blessings this would not have been possible.
“Next I want to thank coach Vurlon Mills, the players and supporters for their input throughout. I was always confident of the team winning this year since we had the better combination and the champions were much weaker than last year.
“What I am proud of is that 90 percent of our team is from underprivileged homes and thankfully Chase Academy offered them a second opportunity and they have delivered.
“Too often in our society these kids are cast aside with little hope for the future and more than often they fall prey to the ills of society.
“I am truly delighted at the victory but would welcome any Government or non-Governmental support to help sustain the school’s programmes,” explained Henry Chase.
“There is no other private school that does what we do at Chase for underprivileged kids. We have no source of assistance and how much longer I can continue only God knows,” Chase exclaimed.
Speaking to Chronicle Sport, the morning after Sunday night’s win, Chase boasted about the school’s continued success in sports, in particular football, ”We now hold the enviable distinction of being the first school to, simultaneously, hold the two major schools football titles – Milo Schools U-20 and Digicel Schools U-18 – and this is just four years after introducing the sport in the school. We have also won this year’s schools cricket and provided several athletes for the Junior CARIFTA team. They call us a sports school and we don’t mind.”
Chase also paid special mention of the input of coach Mills. “The coach did a fantastic job and was more than instrumental in guiding the side.”
The 1-0 victory was sweet revenge for last year’s loss at the same stage and ended the 4-year unbeaten run in the competition’s history by the Wismar/Christianburg Secondary and only their second defeat. Their other conquerors being GTI who dismissed them in the inaugural final in 2011.
Chase is of the view that the time is ripe to explore other avenues in order to offer a better sports curriculum for schools, ”I think the time has come for us to seek help to structure comprehensive and developmental programmes for sports in schools.
“For example, go to Jamaica and see how it’s done and why they have been successful. We need technical expertise in each of the Regions so as to help nurture and hone talents. We should also explore getting scholarships for talented athletes to attend high schools in Jamaica where there are high quality programmes.”
Chase is of the strong view that Sports in schools need urgent attention and people who have a passion for sports.