MVP Sports ‘up the stakes’ as U11 Girls tournament kicks off
The 7th edition of the Petra-organized Girls’ Under-11 Pee-Wee Football tournament got off to a flying start on Saturday morning with the customary march past and kick-off exercise being held at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground. And there was an announcement that is sure to heat up the action in the 4-week tournament.
During the tournament’s opening ceremony yesterday, Ian Ramdeo, owner of the title-sponsoring entity MVP Sports, disclosed that that entity would be offering additional prizes to go along with the already fixed cash prizes.
“We’re hoping for an exciting tournament, and this is something that we haven’t even spoken to the organizers about. MVP Sports will be adding some additional prizes for the top teams, top goal-scorers and goalies,” Ramdeo declared.
It was later revealed that the first-place finisher would receive $100,000 for sports gear in addition to the tournament’s $150,000 grand prize [for a school project of the team’s choice]. In addition, second, third and fourth place finishers would receive $50,000 for sports gear; while teams finishing 5th to 8th place in the competition would receive $25,000 for the same purpose.
Further, each winner of an individual award [Most Valuable Player, Highest Goal-Scorer, Best Goalkeeper], including Best Coach, would receive a $25,000 voucher for sports gear.
Ramdeo went on to state, “MVP Sports has been sponsoring football for many years; and usually, we’re in front of your male counterparts. So, it’s especially exciting for me to see you young ladies out here today, and I would just like to say to you all, ‘Congratulations on making it to this tournament, and we look forward to see you moving up to the other levels as you get older’.”
Petra Organization’s Co- Director Troy Mendonca shared with the young players the importance of female football and this tournament. He said,
“You might be too young to understand how important female football is in the world right now; the kind of investment that FIFA is making; and, if you follow, the amount of tournaments that the Guyana Football Federation has been involved in. And so there must be a starting point, and this is it right here.”
The Petra Co-Director added, “Many of you, like I said recently, don’t get the opportunity to be in your yard, or in your street, or in your neighbourhood, knocking balls like the boys; and so that made us more happy to present this opportunity to you.”
The 16-team tournament is utilizing the straight knockout format, with ousted teams playing for positions.
When the ball got rolling on Saturday, Tucville and Potaro Primary were among the first winners, by 1-0 and 2-0 margins respectively. The MVP Sports Girls’ Pee-Wee tournament is set to conclude on December 9th.