Uncertainty hangs over whether the 2023 National Primary Schools Football League finals will be held for 2023.
The 2022 edition was not contested after the National Primary Football Committee and the Ministry of Education were unable to secure the support of perennial sponsors Atlantic.
Last year’s finals were the first since 2019 when the COVID-19 pandemic brought all sporting activities in schools across the country to a halt back in 2020 and 2021.
Following the crowning of district champions 12 months ago, the lack of sponsors forced the cancellation of the national finals.
With less than a month remaining in the 2023 season, no date has yet been announced for this year’s title-deciding matches.
Chairman of the National Primary Schools Football League Terrence Caesar, responding to questions from Guardian Media Sports said funding remained the obstacle to deciding on a date for the title matches.
He said via WhatsApp, “The main challenge is the present lack of sponsorship. We have been in discussions with various interested parties and the Ministry of Education has been having discussions with (long-time sponsors) Atlantic. We are hopeful that we will be able to announce something positive within the next few weeks. The children are allowed to be outside and showcase their talents. The disappointment comes from the knowledge that there is nothing in place at present for District winners to go forward (to the finals).”
Caesar added that despite the uncertainty over the financial support he was pleased that the youngsters were competing and having fun.
He said, “The standout each year for me is the high quality of play from our nation’s youths.
“The passion they play with for their schools and then the humility they display after victory.”
He praised the coaches for preparing the players and said, “It is a testament to the fantastic work that our teachers and coaches have been doing in conjunction with the parents.”
Despite the challenges the organisation faced, Caesar said, the players showed great enthusiasm.
“Some schools are very willing but they struggle to acquire a coach, and unlike the secondary schools, primary schools have to raise funds or charge students to be able to pay a coach a stipend,” he noted.
Caesar said the logistics of travelling to matches was also an issue.”
In some districts, some students are missing classes. For example, in large districts like St George East, it just is not financially feasible for some schools to participate due to their size and location. Going to a game at 10 am may mean leaving school at 8 am and then reaching back to school about 1 pm,” wrote Caesar.
He gave kudos to the Ministry of Education for providing training gear.
He called for more school administrators to be supportive of having their students involved in sporting activities.
“Unfortunately, we have some principals who see participation in sports as a distraction from academics, even though the Ministry of Education sent out a memorandum earlier this year reminding Principals of the importance of sports and other co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to the holistic development of the child,” he lamented.
SOURCE: T&T Guardian