Much to the delight of our school children, the Milo Under-18 football competition returns for the fifth season with the kick off set for Saturday at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
This was disclosed as the tournament was officially launched at the Milo distributing company, Beepats Warehouse facility in Dennis Street, Sophia on Tuesday.
(L-R) Mark Allyne, Beepats rep Christopher Beepat, Pretra Director Troy Mendonca, Milo Brand Manager Renita Seetal, GFF President Wayne Forde and Ministry of Education’s Nicholas Fraser at the head table during the symbolic launch ceremony
The tournament, which is organized by Petra Organization is expected to run until mid-April and will see the familiar structure being applied with 32 school teams taking center stage in eight groups of four teams playing a round robin then the top two teams will advance to the knockout stages.
Co-Director of Petra, Troy Mendonca, speaking at the launching of the tournament that was formerly an Under 20 competition, related that this tournament has attracted a wide cross section of society as well as the school populace who look forward to viewing the tournament for all the right reasons. Mendonca pointed out that the man on the street referred to the competition as just “Milo”, a symbol of the sterling contribution the Beepats, through the milo brand has done for schools’ football. The Petra director explained that the tournament will run beyond the end of the Easter term due to its late start.
Brand Manager of Milo, Renita Seetal, expressed her delight in the popularity of the competition as she reiterated how proud she was of being a part of the tournament. Seetal highlighted that what this tournament is doing is a true reflection of what the milo brand stands for, “representing being active.”
Also speaking at the launch of the enormous tournament on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Nicholas Fraser said the Ministry had no difficulty approving the tournament and was in fact proud of the initiative the Petra Organization has embarked on to develop sports in schools.
However, Fraser singled out that there is a gap between the primary level and the secondary level with this particular tournament being dominated by fourth and fifth form students, thus creating a gap with the first three forms of secondary school boys not having much competition, therefore urging the organization to help in expansion as the Ministry is always supportive of expanding and development.
Notably, President of the Guyana Football Federation Inc. (GFF), Wayne Forde mentioned that this tournament helps facilitate the youth programme ran by the GFF as well as extended much thanks to Beepats and their Milo brand for sticking to their corporate responsibility.
Mendonca indicated that much is at stakes for the top teams with prize payouts of $500,000 for the winner, $300,000 for first runner up and $200,000 and $100,000 for third and fourth placed teams respectively along with trophies and individual prizes for outstanding performances.
The sponsors have not left out the fans and Seetal is urging supporters to turn out in their numbers as their will be lots of activities and giveaways at the venue with four games being played on Saturdays and Sundays starting from 11:00h each day.
