Digicel Schools’ Football Championships 2023: Top four teams receive rewards
Digicel 2023 Champions, Carmel Secondary, receiving their prize from a Digicel Representative in the presence of Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca
In a simple ceremony held at Cara Lodge in Georgetown on Friday, the top four teams and outstanding individual players in the Digicel Schools’ Football Championships 2023 were rewarded for their efforts by the telecommunications giant.
The following persons attended the proceedings: representatives of Digicel, representatives of the Petra Organisation, and representatives of the four top teams.
In total, over two million dollars were handed out.
Tournament MVP Ian Daniels receiving his reward from Digicel’s Gabriella Chapman
Winner of the 8th edition of the countrywide tournament, Carmel Secondary (Georgetown), claimed the top prize of one million dollars; while runners-up St Ignatius Secondary (Region 9), carted off the $500,000 second place prize. Third place finishers Desiree Caesar-Fox (Waramadong) Secondary (Region 7) won $300,000, and fourth place holders Waramuri Top (Region 1) received $200,000 for their efforts.
Each of the sums paid out would go towards an initiative of the respective school. At the moment, the Champions, Carmel Secondary, are considering the establishment of a school cafeteria area as part of their project.
Co-Director of the Petra Organisation, Troy Mendonca, who spoke briefly, was very appreciative of Digicel and all those involved in every aspect of the tournament.
“I can guarantee you, Digicel, that this tournament would create an environment where most of our young men would want to either go to school or stay in school [to play]. And so, not just the sport aspect, but this tournament would contribute to encourage youngsters to stay in school,” Mendonca shared.
He added, “We all know this tournament is the biggest schools’ tournament; and to have a single corporate organization invest so much, we must take our hats off.
Mendonca also disclosed the willingness his organisation has for the grassroots level of the sport, and believes tournaments of this magnitude keep the youths in school and away from ill-fated decisions.
Digicel Communications and PR Manager Gabriella Chapman congratulated the event’s top performers, as well as the organisers for playing their part in another memorable tournament. Chapman said that from her observation, bragging rights were well-placed.
Meanwhile, the Highest Goal Scorer: Bevon Jones of Waramadong; the Most Valuable Player: Ian Daniels of Carmel; and the Best Goalkeeper: Ray Richards of Carmel, were also handsomely rewarded for their exploits during the tournament.
It has further been disclosed that a ninth edition of the impactful tournament is already being discussed by the sponsor and organizers.
