–with elimination matches around the country

THE elimination games are set to be played at several grounds around the country as the highly subscribed MILO Schools Football tournament returns for the 2024 season.
Eliminations to determine the final 24 teams that will form part of the tournament proper began yesterday, with the action continuing today.
In Essequibo, at the Affiance Ground, Abram Zuil, Charity and 8th of May Secondary Schools will battle each other once to qualify for the final 24.

Over ‘the pond’ in Region Three, at the Uitvlugt Ground, Vergenoegen plays Vreed-En-Hoop, Patentia tackles Endeavours and the Commons, Leonora takes on West Demerara Secondary, and Stewartville meets Westminister to determine who qualifies.

Over on the East Coast, Good Hope plays Annandale, Buxton clashes with Hope, and Bygeval takes on Ann’s Grove Secondary.
In Region Five, Mahaicony, Fort Wellington, Rosignol, Bush Lot and Belladrum take to the field to determine the two qualifiers for the area.

And in Region Six, Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) takes on Vryman Erven, and Canje tackles New Amsterdam, with the winners moving forward to the round-robin stage.
Brickdam plays Pure Masters, Bishops meets St. Stanislaus, North Ruimveldt plays St. John’s, and Tucville faces off with Tutorial at the Georgetown end of things.

After the elimination round, 24 teams will duel it out in the main draw, starting on March 15 for the championship trophy and the $300,000 cash prize.
The cash will be used for a school project of their choice, with $200,000 and $100,000 for the second and third-place schools towards a project or items for the school.

The teams will be divided into six rounds of four, with the top two teams, along with the best four third-place teams advancing to the knock-out stage.
The main draw of the 11th Edition will feature the round robin before the knock-out, quarter final, semifinal and grand finale on May 9.

The round-robin games are set to be played at the Ministry of Education and Queen’s College Grounds on Saturday and Sundays, with all the games from the knock-out stage set for the MoE Ground on Carifesta Avenue.