Atlantic has injected $300,000 for the National Primary Schools Football League.This is the fifth consecutive year Atlantic is sponsoring the tournament.
The announcement was made during the tournament launch at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday.
Attending the launch was Minister in the Ministry of Education, Clifton De Coteau; Chairman of the league, Vincent Graham; Atlantic Branding and Communications manager Derek Daniel and Primary Schools secretary, Gregory Johnson.
Also in attendance were 2010 Boys and Girls Primary School League champions, Arima Boys RC and Vos Government Primary.
Atlantic manager of Branding and Communication, Daniel proudly stated that the joint venture was aimed at developing the future stars of Trinidad and Tobago football.
Daniel explained, “Atlantic in partnership with the Primary Schools Football League is here to help form and develop young footballers of our country.
Our partnership is aimed at training opportunities for our children to play football, develop skills and attain the right values. We are very proud of the elite track-record. This is a programme where 200 primary schools take part in.
It’s a programme with similar reference to our (Atlantic) cricket development programme. These programmes help to lay a foundation for the players who play the sport. We call these young children the E-generation, the energy generation.”
He urged the defending primary school champions to pattern themselves after 2010 World Cup winners, Spain when the league kicks off in November.
Daniel continued, “Teamwork is the secret of success in teams such as Brazil and Spain. Their achievements also lie in their focus on young players.
These countries have specialised programmes that teach them skills, discipline and teamwork.
These young players have successfully worked themselves up the ranks through various age groups and then onto their respective national teams.”
He declared that there would be a development camp consisting of 25 boys and 25 girls following this year’s competition. The camp is in its second year with several players emerging to represent TT at various youth teams.
“Last year, the camp was well received and was conducted by Manchester United officials. They embarked on a weekend programme together with the TTOC (Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee) an those who participated saw the benefits, both on and off the field,” added Daniel.
Minister De Coteau’s in his address explained that the rules on the field of play were just as important as the laws of the land.
He advised the budding footballers to continue working toward their academic and sporting development, and by extension emerge the next generation of TT footballers.
League chairman, Graham reiterated the importance of the young players creating a balance between academics and various sporting disciplines.
“Football must not hinder the academic performance of our students. Here we have the ‘Little Warriors’ and we will continue working with them to attain the future ‘Soca Warriors’ a little later on.
With the emphasis now on values education and patriotism, we are trying to mold better citizens and what better way there is to teach these things, than through the sport of football.
This partnership with Atlantic ensures that the league continues to supply Trinidad and Tobago with winners, Soca Warriors and Soca Princesses,” said Graham at the launch.