KFC Goodwill Tournament returns on December 14KFC Goodwill Tournament returns on December 14

-Matches anticipated to be ‘Finger lickin good’

Returning for its 3rd installment on December 14th, 2022, the KFC Goodwill Tournament, which is aimed at exposing Guyanese school-aged ballers to their counterparts around the region, would for the first time in the tournament’s history feature not one, but two overseas teams; namely, Trinidad and Tobago Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) champions St. Benedict’s College, and the SVB Academy out of Suriname.
Speaking at the tournament’s launch at the KFC Vlissengen Road Head Office, Petra Organization’s Co-Director Troy Mendonca reiterated the tournament’s vision and the platform it can lay for Guyanese players.

“The KFC Goodwill Football Tournament was conceptualised against the backdrop of exposing our top local school teams against teams from our sister countries, especially those who have a very vibrant school programme. The main aim is to positively impact the players and coaches, and to enhance their performance on and off the field,” Mendonca has said.
“It also aims to provide experience, inspire learning, and improve performance at an international level. We regret the absence of the two years due to COVID-19, but…we are happy to be alive here today to launch the third edition of the tournament,” he added.
Shifting focus to inclusion of a second overseas team, as opposed to one in the tournament’s first two editions, Mendonca related, “Our vision clearly remains to have this event grow into a featured event among the Caribbean countries, and so we are proud to have an international brand sharing the same vision with us in the KFC franchise. And so we would like to commend the management of KFC and the Beharry Holdings for supporting the idea.”
KFC Guyana’s Marketing Manager Pamella Manasseh has, on behalf of the Company, expressed elation at the tournament’s return and growth. “On behalf of Beharry Restaurant Holdings, KFC Guyana is pleased to take part in this (tournament) for the third time. This contest amplifies everything our company stands for; it’s not only to aid in the athletic development of our youths, but to also impart valuable life lessons, like how we get along with others. We are thrilled to be part of this event, and we wish the participants the very best,” Manasseh has said.
Also sharing remarks at Thursday’s launch were National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Kashif Muhammad, Ministry of Education’s (MoE’s) Kurt Braithwaite, and Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF’s) Keeran Williams, who collectively emphasised the quality of the tournament and the role that Government and Corporate Guyana can play in its development.
The initial round of this KFC tournament would employ a group format, with the six teams being sorted into two groups of three. At the end of the group stage, the two best teams from each group would advance to the semifinals.
The 5-day tournament would be played until December 23rd, when the grand finale is expected to take place.
In Group A, champions of the twin-island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, St. Benedict’s, would do battle with Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers League runners-up Golden Grove Secondary and the D.C Caesar Fox Secondary School from Waramadong in Region 7.
In Group B, Annai Secondary out of Region 9 would begin their title defence with tests from Milo and Guyoil 2022 Champs Christianburg Wismar Secondary out of Linden in Region 10, and Suriname’s SVB Academy.
Two games will be played each day at 17:00hrs and 19:00hrs.
(Jemima Holmes)