Providing equal opportunities: MVP Sports Pee-Wee Girls set for kick-off this weekend

With an eye on providing equal opportunities on the football pitch to the youngest players in Guyana, the MVP Sports’ Girls Under-11 Football Tournament is set to be kicked-off this Saturday, November 18th, and
will see over 20 primary school girls’ teams vying for a $150,000 grand prize.
The Petra Organization’s customary team briefing and ball distribution exercise was conducted on Tuesday afternoon at the National Library in Georgetown. There, Co-Director of the Petra Organization, Troy Mendonca, shared how the organizing body got extra motivation to ensure the Girls’ tournament is hosted this year.
“We were taken aback when some teams wanted to include their female players in the boys’ competition. That’s when it dawned on us that we should ensure this programme is hosted,” Mendonca shared.

The Petra Co-Director further stated, “We understand the need for this tournament, and we understand the push by the football authorities, starting with FIFA, for girls’ football.”
Deputy Chief Education Officer Marti De Souza had encouraging words for the young players gathered at the event. Following up Mendonca’s remarks, he said, “We also want to ensure that our young ladies, young girls, are afforded the same opportunities to be out on the field, because we know many of you have the skills and we want to provide the opportunity for you to showcase those skills.
“Maybe some of you have the aspiration to reach as far as the Lady Jags team, this is where you start. Of course, the challenges are there. Some of you may be in Grade 6 preparing for NGSA next year, but at the same time, this is a good opportunity for you to be physically active and to balance your academics/ school work with physical exercise,” the Deputy Chief Education Officer went on to urge the students.
The teams will first play in Groups, and then move on to the knockout stages, with the grand finale scheduled for Saturday, December 9.
St. Aloysius (Region6), All Saints (Region 6), Den Amstel (Region 3), Genesis (Region 3), Leonora (Region 3), Potaro (Region 7), St. John the Baptist (Region 7), Friendship (Region 4- East Coast), Soesdyke (Region 4- East Bank), One Mile (Region 10) and Georgetown Schools Marian Academy, Colaaco, F.E. Pollard, St. Gabriel’s, North Georgetown, St. Pius, St. Margaret’s, Tucville, Smith Memorial, St. Stephens, Redeemer and West Ruimveldt Primary are the schools thus far confirmed to compete.
While the first-place finisher in the Girls’ tournament will receive $150,000, second place will pocket $100,000 and third place $75,000. Fourth place will be rewarded with $50,000.