An investment of $300,000 was made by Atlantic, to foster the development of football in T&T. This was revealed yesterday at the launch of the 2010 Atlantic National Primary Schools Football League at the VIP Lounge at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo.
“This League is important to the future of football in T&T,” said Caroline Toni Sirju-Ramnarine, head sustainability and corporate communication at Atlantic. “This competition is the start of your journey and we’re very happy that we can facilitate the pursuit of your dreams.”
Her words were fortified by fellow speakers; Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Anil Roberts, Under-17 national coach Anton Corneal, Anthony Creed, the physical education curriculum officer from the Ministry of Education and Vincent Graham, president of the Primary School League.
They all conveyed messages of encouragement to T&T young footballers as they look to battle in the national primary league, starting next Wednesday for the girls and the boys kick off, the following day (November 4).
Minister of Sport, Roberts, the most animated of all the speakers, targeted everyone in his address from the sponsors, to the students.
“I would like to commend Atlantic for putting their money where their mouth is,” said the Sport Minister. “We appreciate your $300,000 but we also need you to commit to the league to share your expertise, to ensure that the games are carried out properly.”
He went on to compliment the executive of the primary schools league for their diligence in having a well run league and to the players, he encouraged them to turn their “potential into greatness.”
“Players if you want to be great, don’t just love your sport, live the sport, read about the sport, learn about the sport and of course balance it with your academics, because you are student/athletes,” said Roberts. Roberts went as far to give advice to parents, saying “Parents leave the children, let them play.”
This got some laugher from the audience which included the defending boys champion Arima Boys RC and Carapichaima Girls RC, the reigning girls champion. He also pledged that the use of all stadia are “free of charge” for the primary league and all other leagues. “The stadium belongs to the people,” declared Roberts.
Corneal was more celebratory of the achievement of local football, both at the senior and junior level in recent times. “The last four years has been the most exciting in football for T&T with the senior team competing at the World Cup (Germany 2006), the youth team at the U-17 World Cup (Korea 2007), the U-20 World Cup (2009 Egypt) and of course for the ladies, the U-17 Girls World Cup being hosted here,” said Corneal.
He advised them to take advantage of the league, to use football as a vehicle to help them fulfil their dreams. Creed, too, thanked the sponsors for their commitment and the teachers, principals and School Supervisors for providing players another “means of learning.”
Atlantic, which recently adopted a new brand name, logo and corporate identity, altering its previous name Atlantic LNG, is in its fourth year of sponsorship. The Primary Schools board also used the opportunity to award the media for their coverage.
Honour Roll
Best article print— Rachael Thompson-King (Trinidad Guardian)
Best coverage—Trinidad Guardian
Best Radio coverage—Ray Davis (Power 102 fm)
Best electronic press— TV6
Best picture—Robert Codallo