By Eric Collymore
The eagerly anticipated fifth edition of the ExxonMobil U-14 football tournament is all set to commence on May 18 at the Ministry of Education ground.
This annual tournament, aimed at fostering the development of both boys’ and girls’ football, is expected to attract participation from over 40 schools, with the finals scheduled for June.
Troy Mendonca, Co-director of the Petra organization, expressed his commitment to ensuring the smooth execution of the event.
The Petra organization plays a pivotal role in organizing and coordinating the tournament, emphasizing its importance in nurturing young talent and promoting sportsmanship.
ExxonMobil, the title sponsor of the tournament, has reaffirmed its support by contributing 17.7 million dollars to the Petra organization.
Suzanne De Abreu, Community Relations Manager for ExxonMobil, highlighted the positive impact of their partnership in fostering community empowerment and engaging youth across the country.
Nicholas Fraser, Head of the Allied Arts Unit at the Ministry of Education, underscored the ministry’s collaboration with the Petra organization to support the holistic development of student-athletes.
By providing opportunities for young players to showcase their skills and compete at a high level, the tournament contributes to their overall growth and well-being.
This year’s tournament will feature 32 boys’ teams and 24 girls’ teams vying for the championship title. In addition to the competitive aspect, the tournament aims to recognize outstanding individual performances.
The most valuable player in both the boys’ and girls’ categories will receive support from the Petra organization, including school assistance for one year.
Cash prizes will also be awarded to the top-performing teams, with grants totaling 400,000 dollars for the first-place team, 200,000 dollars for the second-place team, 100,000 dollars for the third-place team, and 75,000 dollars for the fourth-place team.
These prizes serve to incentivize excellence and provide valuable resources to schools participating in the tournament.
As the tournament unfolds, stakeholders and supporters eagerly anticipate witnessing the talent and passion displayed by young footballers from across the region.
The ExxonMobil U-14 football tournament continues to serve as a platform for nurturing future stars and promoting the love of the game among Guyana’s youth.