Petra lauded for female football emphasis as ExxonMobil U14 tournament launches

The Petra organisation has been lauded for their emphasis on female football at the grass root level when they launched the 2022 edition of the ExxonMobil U14 Schools Football tournament.

Launched on Tuesday at the Cara Lodge Hotel in Georgetown, the female aspect of the tournament garnered much praise from some of the speakers.

Assistant Director of Sports Melissa Dow-Richardson especially spoke to the work that the body is doing to bring the sport to the young girls in schools.

“Many times our girls see competitors in other parts of the world and ask when it's my chance or where is my opportunity, but tournaments like this give them their chances.”

Meanwhile the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Technical Development Officer Bryan Joseph shared the same sentiment, stating that the work they have done has impacted the women’s game. He focused on the female aspect of the tournament, adding that this will provides an opportunity for young girls to express themselves on a football pitch.

He added, “We [GFF] consider you as a strong strategic partner that has contributed to the growth and development of youth football.”

Petra Co-Director Troy Mendonca who gave opening remarks spoke of the timeliness of the tournament adding title sponsors ExxonMobil have always supported the development of the sport here.

Tournament Main sponsor ExxonMobil through their Community relations advisor Ryan Hoppie underscored the importance of being fit and fostering good ties through sport.

He said, “Young people will benefit from all. Of the positives health as well as physical and mental benefits that come with this sport. It's not just about Trophies and medals, there are real benefits for the schools that will be participating in the tournament.”

Minister of Sport Charles Ramson Jr also lauded the Petra organisation and lauded the work they did in the grass root levels of football.

The event was also attended by the Ministry of Education’s Representative Olato Sam as well as Chairman of the National Sports Commission Kashif Muhamed.

The female teams will come from New Campbellville Secondary, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Lodge Secondary, Leonora Secondary, St Cuthberts Mission, West Ruimveldt secondary, New Central High School and Charlestown Secondary School.

The male teams are L’Avdenture Secondary, Patentia Secondary, New Campbellville Secondary, Cummings Lodge Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, East Ruimveldt Secondary, Lodge Secondary, Leonora Secondary, North Ruimveldt Secondary, St Cuthberts Mission, West Ruimveldt secondary, Freeburg Secondary, West Demerara Secondary, Golden Grove Secondary, Tutorial High School, Marian Academy, Plaisance BOSCO, New Central High School, Huston Secondary School, Charlestown Secondary School, St Winefride’s Secondary, Kingston Secondary and Tucville Secondary.

Matches begin on Saturday.