THE fourth edition of the annual Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Memorial Schools football championship will start today  in earnest when two matches signal the kick-off of this prestigious championship at separate venues simultaneously at 15:00hrs. Defending champions Harmony Secondary School face Mackenzie High School at the Mackenzie Sports Club ground and over at the Linden Technical Institute (LTI) playfield, LTI will be at home to Linden Foundation Secondary.
The tournament which has its origin to honour the Mining Town’s first national football player Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond, will this year be accommodating Under-20 players, unlike when  it started off as an Under-18 championship, whereby the organisers feel it will give a more competitive outlook to the championship.
Additionally, a new sponsor has come on board according to the New York-based Edward ‘Screw’ Richmond Foundation, with the Guyana United Development Association (GUDA) providing the trophies and prizes, while the Most Valuable Player will receive tuition fees to cater for whatever costs will be attached for him to write the desired subjects at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) or the Caribbean Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) levels.
The tournament, which was launched earlier this month, has a Local Organising Committee comprising James Craig, Ms Mayfield Taylor-Trim, Ms Wanda Richmond and Rollin Tappin
This year, as in the past, will see each team decked out in uniforms provided by the organisers and this championship which is being played on a home-and-away basis, involves nine schools, namely Wisburg Secondary, Linden Technical Institute, New Silvercity Secondary, Harmony Secondary, Christianburg/Wismar Secondary, Marcia Craig Educational Institute, Mackenzie High, Linden Foundation Secondary and Kwakwani Secondary.
The championship will see the teams play a home-and-away basis on several grounds around Linden, with the top four teams making it to the semi-finals and then culminating in the grand final during the annual Linden Town Week celebrations on April 26 at the Mackenzie Sports Club.