7th Republic Bank Football League set for kick-off on October 18

Eight secondary schools who were amongst the top finishers in the Massy Under-18 Schools’ Football tournament earlier this year will now have the opportunity to test their skills at the more gruelling format of the sport in the Seventh Republic Bank U18 Football League.

The single round league will run for seven weeks, with each team playing each other once before the team with the most points is crowned champion.
Defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation will meet fierce challenges from Region 1’s Santa Rosa Secondary, Region Seven’s Three Miles Secondary, Region Six’s New Amsterdam Secondary, Georgetown’s Charlestown Secondary, West Ruimveldt Secondary and St Joseph’s High, in what is expected to be a series of tough battles.

Republic Bank Managing Director Dr Toussant Boyce, during Thursday’s launch at the entity’s New Market Street Head office, was keen on the company’s involvement in transforming the lives of the young players.
“So, when I say that this tournament showcases some of the finest young football talent across Guyana, it’s because I’ve seen it last year, and I look forward to seeing it again this year. So, we are proud as Republic Bank to once again support this initiative and to play a role in creating opportunities for you, our nation’s youth, both on and off the field,” Boyce shared.
He added, “Each of these teams, you’ve earned your place through hard work, commitment and determination, and over the coming weeks, you will not only compete for the championship, but you will also have the opportunity to represent Guyana on the international stage, and I can tell you that that should be a life-changing event for those of you who get the opportunity to make it.”
The Republic Bank Guyana Managing Director also announced a special prize that will be awarded to one of the competition’s talented players.

To this end he expressed, “[He] took a one-handed catch that changed his life. I have no doubt that my fellow footballers could do the same. You could do something spectacular. I’m not telling you to do it at the expense of your team and your win, but I’m looking for extraordinary talent.”
Meanwhile, Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca later highlighted the value of hosting a league.
“Any administrator will tell you that competition is a key aspect in administrating football, much less a league,” Mendonca explained, “And to have a league, especially at youth level, is one of the best things to happen in any football arena.”
“As a matter of fact, our defending champions for the past two years were able to win our international tournament with teams from Jamaica, Trinidad, and who knows, know that those countries are very big on school football. And so, to have a company in Republic Bank supporting us once again, we want to give a big thank you,” the Petra Co-Director further stated.

Representing the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, Director of Youth Suresh Singh spoke of the Government’s role in ensuring facilities are readily available.
The Member of Parliament divulged, “We understand that we love our sports, and investment is taking place so that facilities at the community level can be readily available to you so that you can use it to develop your area, and the light are there for you to use it in the evenings whenever necessary. So, we have to look holistically at what is the plan and how we can contribute towards the plan.”
The tournament also received the blessing of the Education Ministry, as voiced by Allied Arts Head Nicholas Fraser.
“There’s a lot going on for football in schools, and so, at this time, you would want to ensure that we continue to stick close to those principles we had when we began,” Fraser noted. “The principles of fair play, discipline. These are very important elements that you can learn from sport that we as a Ministry of Education understand that is very difficult to teach in front of a chalkboard.”
Fraser added, “So, we encourage these sorts of competitions and activities with children, especially as it relates to the sport, and if we are to do it correctly, we wholeheartedly endorse it.”
The Republic Bank U18 League will run from Sunday, October 18, to Sunday, November 29, being played strictly on Sundays at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
The winning team will be awarded $400,000 for a school project of their choice, while second, third and fourth place will receive $250,000, $125,000 and $75,000, respectively, for the same purpose.