ExxonMobil joins star-studded sponsors for KFC Goodwill tournament

By this time next week, the KFC International Goodwill Series would have already been kicked off with a number of major sponsors onboard.
The latest sponsor to join the train is oil and gas company ExxonMobil, who officially presented the sponsorship cheque to the Petra Organisation during a simple ceremony on Tuesday afternoon at the National Library in Georgetown.
In explaining why ExxonMobil continues to support youth and sport initiatives, Community Relations Advisor Ryan Hoppie disclosed the nature of the sponsorship.
“For us, sponsoring youth in sport is a great opportunity for us to fulfill our commitment to youth and community empowerment. We recognize (that) investing in sport not only enhances the country’s athletics’ landscape, but it also contributes to the overall prosperity of the nation,” Hoppie remarked.

Hoppie went on to state about the nature of the sponsorship, “Private Sector investment is so important to ensure the development of youth, sport, as well as community; and we’re proud to be a part of these engagements, and we’re especially pleased to sponsor the hinterland teams in this particular event, as it fosters not only the development of sport, but creates a platform that showcases athletic excellence as well as bringing together teams from the Caribbean and South America.”
Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca expressed gratitude to the company on behalf of himself and the Organisation.
“As you know, the magnitude of this tournament and what it will do for our country, we need the kind of support; and so, on behalf of myself and Co-Director, I would like to say a special thank you to you, Ryan, and the company, for continuing to deliver on your corporate social responsibility; and in so doing, assist in developing the lives of people, and in this case football,” Mendonca shared.

The tournament is set to feature eight schools, namely defending champions DC Caesar Fox (Waramadong) Secondary; St Ignatius Secondary; Secondary Jamaica’s Clarendon College; Trinidad and Tobago’s St Benedict’s College; Suriname’s Voorgezet Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs (VWO) 4; and Limacol top three: Chase’s Academy, Carmel, and Bartica Secondary.
Mendonca took opportunity to share the group draws and the first day’s fixtures. “The two will be Group A: St. benedict’s Carmel, Waramadong and VWO 4. Group B: Jamaica, Chase, St. Ignatius and Bartica. Those two groups are giving me goosebumps. On the 12th, we’ll begin with our march past at QC ground at 12.30h, and the first game will kick off between Carmel and Waramadong, being the defending champion,” Mendonca informed.
He went on to share the remaining fixtures for the opening day, which will see St. Benedict’s and Suriname clashing at 15:30hrs, also at QC ground. At the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground, Jamaica and Bartica will lock horns from 18:00hrs, while Chase and St. Ignatius will do battle from 20:00hrs.
For the first time this year, the tournament’s winner will bag a grand prize of US$2500, or Gy$500,000; while second, third and fourth-placed teams would settle for US$1500 (Gy$300,000), US$1000 (Gy$200,000) and US$500 (Gy$100,000)respectively.