British Gas Trinidad and Tobago Limited (BGTT) has pumped $362,500 into the staging of the 2007 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) and the girls Intercol competition. This announcement was made at the launch of this year’s season, at the BGTT Corporate Box, Queen’s Park Oval, Port- of-Spain yesterday.
During his address at yesterday’s function, Hosein said the decision to partner with the Ministry of Education and the SSFL was an easy one, given the tangible results of this programme.
“It adopts a practical approach to teaching the young people core values through sport that will lead to success in today’s world,” Hosein said.
“These values I talk of include teamwork, self-discipline, fair play, respect for authority and true sportsmanship, all while pursuing excellence.”
Members of the respective 2006 boys and girls Intercol champs, the “Green Machine” St Augustine, were in attendance at the launch.
“We look forward to the usual exciting, challenging matches and commit to supporting your hard work as you continue to succeed.
“I want to take the opportunity to wish both teams all the best for this year’s matches,” said Hosein.
BG TT has been sponsoring the SSFL and Big 5 championships in the North, East, South, Central and Tobago Zones since 2002, and the Girls’ Intercol since 2006.
And, for the second successive year, the company is funding the cost of one of the league’s websites — www.ssfl.org, which featured details of players and teams, and general information on the various zones, fixtures, results and standings. SSFL president Ewing Davis revealed that the league plans to have a lot of its coaches certified, in keeping with the standards being maintained throughout the local youth leagues.
Davis also made a plea for the local government bodies to assist in the maintenance of the many grounds which will be utilised by the various schools during the season.
Action in the SSFL Champion-ship division kicks off tomorrow in the North, East and South Zones.
Defending North zonal winners Mucurapo oppose St Anthony’s from 3 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, while Malick clash with Fatima two hours later.
In the East Zone double-header at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima, the defending champs “Green Machine” square off against Toco at 3 pm followed by the San Juan-El Dorado contest.
Simultaneously, Vessigny and Princes Town will face off at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella followed by the meeting between last year’s South zonal title-holders Naparima and Presentation San Fernando. The Tobago and Central Zones will begin on September 11 while the Girls’ Championship division kicks off five days later.
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