The Carenage Boys of Port-of-Spain and Environs District, will begin their defence of Atlantic LNG National Primary School’s Football League title on Monday.
This year, Atlantic LNG has invested $350,000 into the league which will see 32 of the top schools (16 each in the Boys and Girls Divisions) in the eight Education Districts battling for supremacy.
Atlantic LNG representative Moonilal Lakhan shared his company’s excitement in being part of making T&T a better place to live by contributing to the youth.
He said, “To solve the problem of crime and to make our country better we must start with the young ones. We must put their young minds in the right place for a better T&T.”
He went on to advise the young footballers to do their best, and they may in the future represent T&T on the international stage.
“Play to win, play fair and have fun. Play well for your school, communities and parents and maybe one day you will be the next Dwight Yorke or Russell Latapy or even Tasha St Louis,” said Lakhan. Girls’ champion Carapichaima RC (Caroni District) was not present at the function but were praised for their performance in the last edition of the league and like Carenage, will be seeking to defend its title.
T&T Football Federation (TTFF) Director of Women’s Football, Jamal Shabazz, delivered the feature address and in it gave kudos to ALNG for recognising the importance of getting involved at the Primary level. “Atlantic LNG has demonstrated that they understand what we need to move forward,” said Shabazz.
He went on to hail the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, the Education Ministry and the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) for their contributions.
Anthony Creed of the Physical Education Department of the Ministry of Education and the league’s president, Vincent Graham, encouraged the young footballers to strive to be the best at all times.
Carenage, who have also won the title in 2003, 2005 and 2007, will kick off against the second place team in the Victoria District at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium in Marabella while reigning Girls champion Carapichaima will be on a bye.