5th Annual Schools Football Competition...Digicel here to invest in Guyana - Kelly

5th Annual Schools Football Competition…Digicel here to invest in Guyana – Kelly

Jun 11, 2015 Sports

– over 160 schools to compete in this year’s competition

By Rawle Welch
The fifth edition of the highly popular Digicel Schools Football Competition which

Digicel CEO Kevin Kelly (right standing), Marketing Executive Jacqueline James (2nd left), NC Chairman Clinton Urling (left), Director of Sport Christopher Jones (3rd right back row), Events & Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope (right back row) and players pose for a photo op yesterday.

is traditionally played nationwide was launched yesterday, during a simple ceremony that was conducted, at the Beterverwagting Secondary School, East Coast Demerara.
In attendance at the occasion was Digicel CEO Kevin Kelly, Marketing Executive Jacqueline James, Events & Sponsorship Manager Gavin Hope, Director of Sport Christopher Jones, Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee Chairman Clinton Urling, Tournnament Co-ordinator Lavern Fraser, teaching staff of the school and members of some of the schools from the community.
James, who has been in the forefront of the organisation of the tournament since its inception in her remarks gave a brief oversight of the competition which according to her has enjoyed a significant increase in participating schools.
She informed that over 160 schools will be vying for top honours in this year’s competition, adding that once again a few new venues will host matches, a feature that has been adopted since the start.
The Marketing Executive said that among the new venues earmarked is the National

Marketing executive Jacqueline James (3rd left) cuts the cake to symbolise the start of the Digicel Schools Football Competition yesterday.

Track & Field Centre at Leonora.
The tournament, which commences on June 17 and is slated to conclude on August 2 at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, will see twelve regional champions secure berths to the national playoffs.
Chairman of the NC Urling in his presentation first lauded the efforts of Digicel, adding that the Company’s endeavour is a clear demonstration of what the Private Sector should be and a clear expression of what social responsibility is.
He then spoke of some of the achievements that the NC has been able to attain to date, giving as examples the resuscitation of the women’s programme, the Under-23 preparations among others as ample proof of the amount of work that was done.
Urling added that the efforts of Digicel must be highlighted, especially since it help to

The beautiful trophies including the Lien Trophy (centre) which will be up for grabs in this year’s tournament on display.

make the work of the NC easier in terms of unearthing talent and allowing the players to compete in a competitive environment.
He wished the Organisers and the schools every success.
Kelly then spoke of the first meeting they held to discuss the possibiity of hosting such an enormous undertaking after former CEO Gregory Dean had broached the idea to them.
He said sport is critical to national development in a country and assured that Digicel is fully committed to investing in Guyana.
Kelly also talked about the passion that erupts among players, teachers and coaches whenever this time comes around, a facet he reminded helps to bring out the best in the participants.
He promised to take the tournament to even more communities this time around.
Jones, who acted in the absence of Junior Sports Minister Nicolette Henry, first gave an excuse for her nonattendance which he said was due to her participation in the first session of the 11th Parliament yesterday, before telling the gathering that the Government of Guyana wished to acknowledge the contribution of Digicel towards the support for sports.
He too commended the Company for the work that it has been doing for the development of sport and youths across the country.
Meanwhile, fixtures will be published shortly.