OIL giant ExxonMobil has joined forces with the Petra organisation for the hosting of its inaugural U-14 boys and girls tournament next month.

During the launch at Cara Lodge yesterday, the company signalled its entry into football by announcing the tournament, according to Senior Director, Public and Government Affairs Kimberly Brassington.

“We do look for opportunities where we can make a difference, and supporting the kids is one way we can do that, especially through sports. So we are really looking forward to the tournament,” she added.

Bryan Joseph, Technical Development Officer (TDO) at the Guyana Football Federation indicated that they are willing to provide support for the tournament in the form of coaches for the schools.

He added that the tournament falls in line with the federation and its parent body’s plans for the sport at the youth level, saying, “This particular tournament is going to serve as a really good platform for some bigger things that we have happening in the year.”

He continued, “That is the CFU U-14 Boys’ tournament scheduled for the end of July early August and the U-15 Girls are going to be involved in a CONCACAF tournament in Florida.”

The tournament, the TDO said, allows the Federation to have a wider view of the eligible players before said tournament.

Ministry of Education’s Nicholas Fraser was also on hand during the launch, and spoke of the Petra organisation bridging a gap between the Pee Wee (U-11) and the Milo (U-18) tournaments.

“Someone who would have participated in the Pee Wee U-11 Football tournaments would have to wait another seven to 8 years to make the team again so it’s good to have that intermediate tournament.” 

Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca says that the body sat down with Exxon.

“The contribution and support would now fill a void that we have been fighting to fill for the last three to four years between our U-11 and U-18 tournaments,” he said.

Mendonca added that they are in the process of getting the teams, considering that is a new tournament at a new age group for both males and females.

The round-robin knock-out tournament will feature 24 male and 8 female teams when it gets going in early June.