The 2024 edition of the KFC Goodwill International Schools’ Football Tournament is poised to be an exciting showcase of talent and sportsmanship.
It will feature teams from eight schools—four local and four international.
This tournament will take place from December 15th to 22nd and will use two venues: the Queen’s College and the Ministry of Education grounds.
Returning as defending champions is Clarendon College from Jamaica along with St. Benedict’s College from Trinidad & Tobago.
Suriname’s School Football League winner and the newly added Tobago representative, Speyside High School, will join them as the overseas teams.
The lineup from Guyana includes D.C. Caesar Fox (Waramadong) Secondary from Region Seven and the winner of a playoff between Annai Secondary and St. Ignatius Secondary from Region Nine.
The top two schools from Petra’s upcoming eight-team tournament will also secure their spots in this year’s competition.
During the tournament’s official launch held at the elegant Cara Lodge on Tuesday, Petra Organisation’s Co-Director, Troy Mendonca, articulated the vision behind the tournament.
He expressed gratitude towards KFC Guyana for their ongoing support over the past five years, underscoring the organization’s commitment to making this tournament a true Caribbean event.
“Being the fifth year, it’s a strong statement of our intention,” Mendonca stated. “We want this tournament to be a platform that showcases local talent and exposes our players to international competitors with different skill sets, cultures, and backgrounds.”
KFC’s Marketing Manager, Sadia Strand, also participated in the launch, joining virtually to express her enthusiasm for the tournament.
She highlighted the significance of providing children with a healthy, competitive environment, noting, “This fifth-year tournament will be the best one yet.
We are reminded of the hard work it takes to create such an event. It’s imperative for fostering healthy competitive attitudes that will benefit participants both on and off the field.”
From an educational perspective, Nicholas Fraser, Head of the Education Ministry’s Allied Arts Department, emphasized the elevated challenge this tournament presents to Guyanese student-athletes.
He remarked on the difference between regular physical education classes and the excitement of competing against other schools.
“It’s even a level higher to have children understand that, in winning a tournament, they can play against the best from another Caribbean country,” Fraser noted. He expressed optimism about the tournament’s potential to excite schools and enhance the sport of football in the region.
Assistant Director of Sport Franklin Wilson has praised the tournament, which has been hailed as an innovator within the Caribbean Community.
He affirmed that the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport will continue to support developmental projects and programs that offer intrinsic value to the nation.
The collaborative efforts among various stakeholders highlight the importance of sports in fostering community spirit and youth engagement.
The stakes are high for this year’s tournament, as the winners will take home a cash prize of US$5,000 and a beautiful hand-sculpted wooden trophy crafted by Rodwell Ward.
Notably, this trophy will be a lien, meaning a team must win the competition at least three times to claim it permanently, adding an extra layer of excitement and challenge to the event.
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