Guardian ( Trinidad and Tobago )
18 August 2023 ( Page 34 )
SSFL kicks o with Benedict’s, Fatima clash
Coca-Cola, SportsMax renew sponsorships
The thought of a Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and even a Neymar Jr
being among us in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) is not too
far-fetched, said Lisa Morris-Julien, Junior Minister in the Ministry of
Education.
Morris-Julien’s comment came at the launch of the 2023 SSFL season at
the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain before a large appreciative
crowd that comprised members of the SSFL executive, sponsors and
several other dignitaries yesterday.
The league is set to kick off on September 8 with a clash of last year’s
Coca-Cola and Premiership finalists St Benedict’s College and Fatima
College at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 4 pm.
Anthony Lovelace, senior brand specialist, Coca Cola, Nicholas
Matthews, CEO SportsMax Ltd, Nicola Ghouralal, head, Communication
and Brand National Gas Company, Merere Gonzales, SSFL president,
Ronson Hackshaw, physical Education Sports Officer, Ministry of Sport
and Community Development at the launch of this year’s SSFL season at
the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
PICTURE COURTESY SPORTSMAX
And to ensure that all get the opportunity to see the matches this season,
either via television or via an App, SportsMax, the regional sports cable
network announced through its chief executive officer (CEO) Nicholas
Matthews that it has renewed its three-year contract with the schools’
league.
SportsMax is one of two sponsors renewing its contract with the SSFL,
with the other being Coca-Cola, the title sponsor of the league InterCol
play-offs.
This year the league will also boast of retaining longstanding sponsors
Shell as well as the National Gas Company (NGC) who through its head of
Communication and Brand Nicola Ghouralal, said they want to invest in
human energy.
Ghouralal said her company’s sponsorship of the league is an indication
that they believe in the youth.
In 2022, St Benedict’s defeated Fatima 3-1 to claim the Premier Division
title, but the Fatima boys returned to gain sweet revenge in the National
Coca-Cola InterCol final by winning 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
The league represented the future of T&T on and off the field.
Yesterday, Morris-Julien said, as a former footballer herself she knows of
the efforts and benefits of the league and didn’t doubt the fact that a
future star footballer can be in the league.
“The Secondary School Football League has a legacy of fierce competition
and friendly rivalry.
I grew up in a time with the Blue Thunder (El Dorado East) and the Green
Machine (St Augustine Senior) and it has maintained a strong following
from not only the students but also from the communities of these
schools. To this day, everyone can say their favourite football team,”
Morris-Julien said.
“In all areas of youth development, you know the African proverb that it
takes a village to raise a child. The Secondary Schools Football League is
indeed a village that the Ministry of Education is proud to be part of.”
Following on the heels of the Commonwealth Youth Games, which
Morris-Julien said provided an opportunity for young athletes to showcase
their talent, she noted also that the SSFL presents yet another opportunity
for our young athletes to shine and show their skills in sports.
“I grew up with Stern John, Dwight Yorke, Jason Scotland, Kenwyne Jones,
and it’s not impossible that one day, Messi, Ronaldo, and/or Neymar could
be among us today,” Morris-Julien said.
“Sports as we know it, is not merely a physical activity but it’s a powerful
tool for character building and discipline. It’s a platform that fosters
lifelong skills that extends far beyond the playing field. Through sports,
we learn the importance of dedication, we learn discipline, time
management, and the pursuit of excellence.”
This year the league will feature some 6,000 players from 100 registered
schools in 398 teams. And among these figures will be ten teams from a
new 13 and Under girls’ division that will come on stream, come
September.
Photo: Anthony Lovelace, senior brand specialist, Coca Cola, Nicholas
Matthews, CEO SportsMax Ltd, Nicola Ghouralal, head, Communication
and Brand National Gas Company, Merere Gonzales, SSFL president,
Ronson Hackshaw, physical Education Sports Officer, Ministry of Sport
and Community Development at the launch of this year’s SSFL season at
the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
PICTURE COURTESY SPORTSMAX