OIL giants ExxonMobil, in collaboration with partnering company Cerulean Inc., will facilitate a two-day football clinic in the hinterland village of Mainstay in Region 2.
It will take place May 27-28 at the Mainstay Community Centre ground. A formal opening ceremony will be held prior to the commencement of the clinic and will be addressed by executives of both companies.
The clinic will include four sessions and the main focus will be to build various skill sets towards better ball possession.
The facilitators/coaches will be Gordon Henry, who will lead the technical team, Andre Blackman and Colin Belfield. Thirty participants have been selected by the villages, among whom are females and four goalkeepers aged 8 to 18 years.
Meanwhile, Cerulean Inc. will also provide the necessary equipment including 30 t-shirts, 30 footballs along with markers, cones and outfits for the coaches.
Upon completion, the equipment will remain in the possession of the Mainstay Club for future coaching stints and practice.
When contacted, coach Blackman disclosed that the clinic is an important developmental programme for the youths, particularly for the hinterland community, given that there are very few resources and opportunities for them to exhibit their talent.
However, Blackman who is the head coach for the Mainstay Football Club disclosed that the village has the potential to produce outstanding footballers since they are naturally athletic, strong and are fast learners.
He further stated that the clinic will help to stimulate and promote the sport there as well as to provide an opportunity to harness the existing talent for the future.
Mainstay is situated at the extreme western end of the Essequibo Coast with the inhabitants being mainly Amerindians. Recently the community ground was upgraded and lights were installed.