THE future stars of football thrilled residents of Mayaro when the 2017 bpTT Razack Jan Memorial Mayaro Football League kicked off at the Ortoire Recreation Ground, Mayaro, recently.
Celebrating its 19th year, the league has been supported by energy company bpTT from inception. It is managed by Illusions International Sports & Cultural Club and features teams from across the south-eastern region competing in various age divisions.
Rachael Caines, Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor, bpTT, underscored the company’s investment in the development of Mayaro football, “The success of Mayaro’s football league is as legendary as the success that Mayaro as a community has experienced in supplying world class football players to our national football team. BpTT believes in the power of sport. All over the world sport has been a unifying force, helping to build communities and nations in ways no other social intervention can. Sport has the power to change communities for the better and this league has become a part of the very fabric of the Mayaro community.”
The league opening was highlighted by a double-header featuring the National Under-15 and Under-17 teams squaring off against the local Mayaro stars representing MaGuaya Chivas and Guaya United, respectively.
MaGuaya Chivas trumped the National Under-15 outfit 2-1 in what was a closely fought game. In the second encounter, Guaya United were no less competitive but were edged by their National Under-17 rivals by a 3 - 2 scoreline.
On hand to guide his young charges and observe firsthand the talent of the bpTT Mayaro Football League was Russell Latapy, assistant coach of the national football team and head coach of the national youth team. “This league is definitely a great investment for the people of Mayaro and sport is one of the best means of closing the gaps and bridging the boundaries in society. I’m happy to be here today and I’m really proud of Mayaro and everyone responsible for this league which gives the youths the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” said the former national stand-out.
Also present at the launch were Member of Parliament for Mayaro, Rushton Paray, and Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries. They also had the honour of formally commissioning the floodlights that were installed by T&TEC, represented by the company’s Deputy Chairman, Glenford Cyrille.
MP Paray gave top marks to the league: “The league is an excellent investment by bpTT and the performance of the Guaya United football team has lifted football across the community. With the installation of these lights, we can expect the residents to make greater use of the ground as part of living healthier lifestyles. The lights will also shine down on the prodigious talent that resides in this community as they thrill us with their football passion and talent.”
Rambharat pointed to the significance of the league, “This league is important to the development of young people and this is reflected in the high interest and participation year after year. There is a high level of discipline and talent and we see this in the fact that players from Mayaro have graduated to the national teams that are represented here today. We can expect great things from this league and the young people that make it such a success.”