ExxonMobil partners with Petra for U14 schools football
Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca (left) collects the $6M sponsorship from CRA at ExxonMoblil, Ryan Hoppie. In the background (L-R) are GFF TDO Bryan Jopseh, Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson, NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, Minister of Sport Charles Ramson, Education Adviser Olato Sam and Petra’s Jacquline Boodie (Adrian Narine photo)
Petra Organisation co-Director Troy Mendonca (left) collects the $6M sponsorship from CRA at ExxonMoblil, Ryan Hoppie. In the background (L-R) are GFF TDO Bryan Jopseh, Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson, NSC Chairman Kashif Muhammad, Minister of Sport Charles Ramson, Education Adviser Olato Sam and Petra’s Jacquline Boodie (Adrian Narine photo)

EXXONMobil Guyana has joined forces with the Petra Organisation for the second instalment of its U14 boys and girls schools football tournament.
During yesterday’s launch, Petra co-Director Troy Mendonca stated that after the two-year layoff from the sport, the body is glad to be back in action.

He added that this is an opportune time for the resurgence of the U-14 tournament.
The Petra co-Director stated, “We would have seen students who have graduated from these tournaments and become a part of the national setups.”

He added too that ExxonMobil should be proud to be a part of that development path of future stars, adding “their contribution should not just be looked at as a social responsibility but an investment that contributes to the development of our human resources and the development of our national players”.

The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) was represented by the Assistant Technical Development Officer (TDO) Bryan Joseph, who echoed Mendonca’s sentiments.
He added, “We at GFF consider you as a strong strategic partner that has contributed to the growth and development of youth football.”

He focused on the female aspect of the tournament, adding that this will provide an opportunity for young girls to express themselves on a football pitch.
Adviser in the Ministry of Education, Olato Sam, hailed the longstanding partnership of the Ministry of Education and the organisers, saying, “It has been said countless times that for us to create well rounded balanced individuals, and we have to provide that seamless integration of sport.”

It is for that reason, he noted, that the Ministry of Education is firmly on board with the tournament.
Assistant Director of Sport, Mellisa Dow-Richardson, was also present at the launch, saying that she is heartened at the emphasis being placed on the female side of things.

“Many times our girls see competitors in other parts of the world and ask ‘when it’s my chance or where is my opportunity’, but tournaments like this give them their chances.”
Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Kashif Muhammad echoed these sentiments and also added, that the Petra Organisation must be recognised for their hard work at the grassroots level of football at a time when not even associations were looking there.

Tournament Main sponsor ExxonMobil, through its Community Relations Adviser, (CRA) Ryan Hoppie, underscored the importance of being fit and fostering good ties through sport.
He said, “Young people will benefit from all. of the positive health as well as physical and mental benefits that come with this sport.

It’s not just about trophies and medals. There are real benefits for the schools that will be participating in the tournament.”
Minister of Sport Charles Ramson who also joined the even briefly lauded organisers for remaining steadfast with their youth football goals and encouraged all participants to play fairly.

Twenty-four male teams will be a part of the round-robin KO style format with the teams separated into six groups.
Following the round-robin format, the top sixteen teams will move on with those teams to play for a seeding from 1-16.

Those Secondary School teams are: L’Aventure, Patentia, New Campbellville, Cummings Lodge, Dolphin, East Ruimveldt, Lodge, Leonora, North Ruimveldt, St Cuthbert’s Mission, West Ruimveldt, Freeburg, West Demerara, Golden Grove, Tutorial High, Marian Academy, Plaisance BOSCO, New Central High, Houston, Charlestown, St Winefride’s, Kingston and Tucville.

The female teams will come from New Campbellville, Cummings Lodge, Dolphin, East Ruimveldt, Lodge, Leonora, St Cuthbert’s Mission, West Ruimveldt, New Central High and Charlestown.
Matches begin on Saturday.

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