Cultural explosion at KFC Goodwill Culture night

There were majestic scenes from the Umana Yana in Kingston on Monday evening as the KFC Goodwill International School’s Football tournament took a break from the competitive action for a cultural presentation.
Introduced to the tournament back in 2024, the Cultural Night serves as a platform for the competing teams to showcase the cultures of their native lands, namely Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, Brazil, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago.
As Jamaica and Trinidad showed off their vocal abilities, replicating the musical stylings of Bob Marley and Michael Teja, Guyana and Brazil opted to display the dances of their indigenous peoples, while Suriname and the Bahamas shared about their country’s history.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education (MoE) Allied Arts’ representative Joel Gonsalves underscored the significance of such activities.
“This week, Georgetown has become more than just a football arena; it has become a meeting place of nations, cultures and youthful dreams. Tonight, we are not only celebrating the beautiful game of football but also the vibrant tapestry of culture that unites us. Culture nights is a reminder that sports is more than just competition, it is a bridge between communities, a celebration of diversity and a testament to the values of respect, teamwork and friendship,” Gonsalves opined.
He went on to express, “It is through events like these that we nurture the next generation of leaders both on and off the field.”
The on-field action in the KFC Goodwill resumed on Tuesday, after which the group stage will wrap up on Wednesday, followed by the semi-finals on Friday. The grand finale is set for Sunday, December 21.