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Palo Seco Government School was crowned 2006 Atlantic LNG National Primary Schools Football champions, beating Carenage Boys’ Government on sudden-death penalty kicks at the Ato Boldon Stadium on November 23.

With no goals in regulation and extra time, the match went into penalty kicks, with both teams scoring two tries each.

As the excitement increased with each sudden-death kick, both Palo Seco and Carenage missed their first two shots. Then captain and goalkeeper Darriel Bourne converted his shot, sending the Palo Seco supporters into a frenzy of celebration.

It was sweet revenge for the young footballers from the south, who were beaten in last year’s final by Carenage Boys’ Government.

MVP of the match was Palo Seco defender Nabbie Ramdeo.

Palo Seco keeper Bourne registered a unique record by scoring the winning penalty kick in the final and going through the nationwide tournament with a clean sheet.

In the girls’ final, Morvant New Government edged Carapichaima RC by 2-1, with goals from captain Rickeisha Telemaque and Shernice Lampkin, while Zoe Swift scored for Carapichaima.

Telemaque received the MVP match award.

For the Morvant New Government team and students, Thursday’s final was a moving experience, since it was exactly a month to the day that their former coach and teacher, Ian Morton, was killed by lighting while waiting for transportation.

The girls, who underwent counselling for the tragic event, dedicated the match to his memory.

A total of 305 teams drawn from the eight education districts in T&T participated in the 2006 competition, with matches played on a round-robin basis at district level, culminating with a knockout phase at the inter-district level, before play-offs for the semifinals and finals.

Trophies and other award were presented to the winners following the finals.

Sponsored by Atlantic LNG, the 2006 tournament was organised by the National Primary Schools Football League, in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and the Sports Company of T&T.

David Downer, corporate communications officer, Atlantic LNG, said the company was happy to invest in primary school football.

“We are always looking for opportunities to build value in the community in which we operate, whether in our home community of Point Fortin or the wider national community.

“The development of sportsmen and sportswomen is always of great value to a society, providing opportunities for young people with athletic talents to compete and shine on the national and international scene and bring pride and confidence to our nation,” he explained.

Vincent Graham, chairman of the National Primary Schools Football League, said Atlantic’s partnership brought a new and exciting dimension to the competition this year, with a revival of interest at the primary school level.

He said changes would be made to the format to encourage greater participation among the nation’s schools in 2007.