Milo U18 Schools Football tournament 2023: East Ruimveldt draw first blood

Under overcast skies and feeble sunshine on Saturday morning, March 4, 2023, teams gathered at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Carifesta Avenue, Georgetown for what would be the beginning of weeks of competitive secondary school football.
This was the beginning of the 9th edition of the Milo Under-18 Schools’ Football tournament, and the opening activity, the Ceremonial March Past, has been won by the Vergenoegen Secondary team, who were clad in bright blues and were equipped with a banner sporting the Milo product.

Sponsors’ representatives from the Guyana Industrial Minerals Inc (GINMIN), MVP Sports and title sponsors Milo, along with Petra’s Co- Director Troy Mendonca, GFF’s Technical Director Bryan Joseph, and Advisor to the Minister of Education, Africo Selman, looked on.
In his time with the mic, Arjun Krishanand of Massy Distribution – new agents of the Nestle line – spoke of the company’s commitment to the tournament while highlighting how fitting the Milo product is for sport.

“Today, sports are essential for students’ overall growth and development. In keeping with our promise to be a global force for good, and honouring our corporate social responsibility, Massy Distribution and Nestle (are pleased) to partner with the Petra Organization and the Ministry of Education in hosting the 9th annual Milo Secondary School U18 Football tournament,” Krishanand related.
He added, “Milo products offer essential vitamins and minerals, and…(have) long been known as an energy beverage strongly associated with sports and good health. We look for the exciting results that the tournament will unfold.”
GFF’s Joseph, who touched on Petra Organization’s steady contribution to development of the sport, said: “I must commend the Petra Organization. It appears as though I say this at every function that they have, because they play a critical role in the development of football across this country, not only at the under-18 age group, but at Pee-Wee, under- 14, and also they would’ve transitioned into female football also.

“We at the Guyana Football Federation are happy with the response that we’ve been having (from) the Ministry of Education in terms of how we could partner to ensure that every child who wants to play football have an opportunity, and these tournaments present that opportunity,” the GFF Technical Director added.
When the action began, East Ruimveldt Secondary bagged the first three points of the tournament with a 5-0 victory over Marian Academy.
Both teams started the high-intensity game well, but after Tramel Jack got the first one past the Marian goalkeeper in the 22nd, the East Ruimveldt side found their rhythm.
Kevon Gallaway found the second goal in the 40th, while Jack made it a 3-0 game in the 60th. Two more off the boots of Daniel Sutton in the 65th and 69th brought the tally to 5 by the end of regulation time.
Meanwhile, Bartica Secondary made good of their time in the capital city with a 9-0 victory over Bush Lot Secondary. One goal each from Reon Hall (2nd), Shawn Jones (9th), Jerson David (12th), Ezekiel Baldeo (20th), C. Timmerman (31st), Ashton Dutchin (56th), Redeil Adamson (59th), David Benny (60th) and Rodel Loncke (61st) accounted for Bartica’s large tally.
Action in the Milo tournament will continue today at the same venue with Annandale and Westminster Secondary clashing in the first game at 11am. Berbice Educational Institute and Charlestown Secondary will go at it in the second game, which commences at 12:45hrs. And Chase’s Academy and Dora Secondary will duke it out in the third game, which starts at 2pm.
The final game of the day will be contested between Ann’s Grove Secondary and Queen’s College. (Jemima Holmes)