Secondary school teams ready for KFC Goodwill kick-off

“Fairly but fiercely…”

Come this afternoon, five local teams will battle for the ultimate bragging rights as they compete against an overseas team, an opportunity which is few and far between.

Guyana’s Annai, Waramadong, Lodge, Annandale and Marian Academy are currently gearing up to ‘face off’ with Trinidadian opponents Shiva Boys Secondary in the second annual KFC Goodwill tournament.
This six-team tournament will be played on December 14 (today), 16 and 18, with the semifinal matches and final match being played on December 20 and 22 respectively.
Speaking on the eve of the tournament’s kick-off, KFC Operations Manager Greg De Gannes said the company is always elated to be involved in youth development projects.

“KFC is happy to be the main sponsor for this tournament once again. We look forward to this tournament, and we look forward to the continued development of sports and the youths. We look forward to a continued partnership with Petra Organization; and, being that corporate sponsor that we are, to help build and develop sports and youths in Guyana,” De Gannes noted.
With keen rivalries bubbling since the recently concluded Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers League, the secondary school teams are eager to get back on the playing field to display their skills.
To this end, a few of the team captains, with the exception of Shiva Boys and Annai, who have not yet arrived in Georgetown, shared their thoughts and expectations in regard to the tournament.
The first to take the mic was Annandale’s Jerome Harrigon, who began by expressing gratitude to the sponsors and organizers. “I’d like to thank the KFC sponsors and the organizers for having football played around this teenage age. It’s very important for our country and us, as individuals. Having Shiva Boys, Waramadong, Annai, Marian, and Lodge who is like a brother to us, we can’t ask for anything else. We’ll stay focused, put out our hundred percent, and may the best team win,” Harrigon shared.
“I’m very thankful for having come into the competition. You know, it’s a very tough challenge that we have to face. I’d like to wish the other teams a successful game, and all the best to them,” Waramadong captain Nick Bascom said.
Having made it into the Goodwill tournament after USL Montjoly’s inability to attend, Marian Academy are looking to make the most of this golden opportunity. As expressed by their captain, Randy Hamilton, the up-and-coming team should not be taken lightly.
“Marian is new to this competition. However, that does not mean that we’re incompetent. We do expect to put up a fight; we expect to compete fairly but fiercely. We do look forward to an incredible competition, whereby we develop new relations. However, we look forward to coming out on top,” Hamilton asserted.
Meanwhile, recently crowned Guyoil/Tradewind Tankers champions, Lodge Secondary, are looking to take it one game at a time, with hopes of defeating Marian Academy today.
“We got confidence in everybody, and I hope that we get a good game to start. We just want to come out Saturday (today) and get a win over Marian Academy,” Shemroy Mayers stated.
In today’s fixtures, Annai Secondary will come up against Annandale Secondary at 13hrs, and Lodge will face Marian Academy at 15 hrs.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Lodge will take on Waramadong as Shiva Boys battle with Annai at 13 hrs and 15hrs respectively.
While the preliminary games will be contested at the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Training Facility at Providence, the organizers are yet to decide on the venue for the final, which should take place at the Ministry of Education Ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Aside from KFC, the tournament is co-sponsored by Guyana Coema Construction Services, Mike’s Pharmacy, Tiger Sports, and the Trophy Stall. (Jemima Holmes)