Gender-based Violence message to be central theme during Milo football

Feb 11, 2014 Sports

By Rawle Welch
In what was described as a potent presentation, Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health Trevor Thomas speaking recently at the launching of the 2nd Milo Schools Football Tournament on Gender-based Violence, applauded the Organisers and sponsor for allowing the topic to be a central theme druing the staging of the competition.
Thomas, who made a lenghty presentation on the very subject assured all present of the Ministry’s eagerness to work together with organisations, in this case the Petra Organisation and Milo, which could help spread the message that focuses on eliminating or decreasing the use of violence against each other within our society.

Deputy Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Health Trevor Thomas (4th right) seen delivering remarks at the Petra Organisation / Milo Schools Football Tournament Launch recently.

The Ministry of Health official first recognised the efforts of the two entities and congratulated them for displaying a consciousness to complement the work of the Ministry on a subject that has become a topical issue and one that if not checked could destroy the social fabric of the society due to the long term physical, psychological and emotional damage it causes when it is carried out on someone.
“I would like to congratulate the Organisers for partnering with the Ministry of Health in helping to reach an audience that is very important to spread the message and while it only caters at this time for schools in the Georgetown environ, it is quite a timely one with the audience being the participants and the spectators,” Thomas said.
He added that it is one (audience) that is perceived to be macho and while it is clearly not the only target group, it is vitally important that the message is circulated among them.
“Football is a sport that could provide a good opportunity to spread the message and while Gender-based Violence is sometimes glamourised and promoted through music as well, the sport because it is played by boys and men somehow has this tough guys label attached to it where many feel that things ought to be settled physically.”
Thomas said that while the tournament only caters for schools within the Georgetown environ at present it is the Ministry’s hope that it reaches way beyond the boundary of the Capital since the message should not be restricted to one area, but is given a chance to be heard by as many persons as possible.
He urged that the Organisers explore the possibility of expanding the tournament to cater for schools outside of Georgetown so that the message is heard by a larger audience.
“While many of us may possess the physical attributes to be labeled ‘macho’ it does not mean that we should settle differences physically, but rather we must search for other ways to eliminate the use of force.”
Meanwhile, the four schools to have survived at the end of the playoffs held on Saturday are: St. Joseph’s High, St. Mary’s, Freeburg and Kingston.
They now join Bishop’s High, Carmel, Central High, Charlestown, Chase Academy, Christ Church, Cummings Lodge, David Rose, Dolphin, Lodge, New Campbellville, North Georgetown, North Ruimveldt, Queen’s College, Richard Ishmael, South Ruimveldt, St. George’s, St. Winefride, Tucville and Tutorial.
The winning team will receive $500,000, runner-up- $300,000, 3rd place- $200,000 and 4th place- $100,000, while there will be prizes for outstanding individual performances.
All the winning teams will have to choose a project of their choice to benefit the school since no monetary prize will be awarded.
The tournament starts from February 15 and runs until April 5.