...as stage set for Nostalgia Festival
The stage is now set for the Fourth Annual Inter-Col Football Nostalgia Festival tomorrow from 10 am at St Mary’s College Ground, Serpentine Road, St Clair.
At the official launch of the tournament at St Mary’s College ground yesterday, chairman of the committee, Dr Ken Butcher said the idea is also to provide an environment to engage young players in a manner that affords stability, a disciplined work ethic and credible transition to national service.
The committee also plans to provide much needed assistance to any of its members who may fall ill or may be in need of help otherwise. Over 300 ex pupils are expected and Butcher said his committee will be aiming to increase its membership to 1,000. The registration fee is $1,000 for ten players and will be used to off-set expenses. Butcher said monies received for membership will be used for welfare purposes.
Yesterday, players from each of the participating schools confirmed that they will be at the event, which will see St Anthony’s College, which are known popularly as the Tigers having to defend their crown in the 35-50 division, while joint winners in the Under-35 division Tranquil and St Anthony’s College will try to win for second time.
The main Over-50 category will be defended by St Benedict’s College. This category will take the format of the intercol which will be a knock-out play-off.
Butcher will line-up with his alma mater St Mary’s College in the 0-50 category along with Dr Alvin Henderson and Ian Bain. Belmont will also have on their roster former national striker Ron La Forest, Ricardo Woodley and Kelvin Lawrence.
Butcher said serious consideration was given to having San Fernando Technical Institute, but things did not go according to plan. He said the school, which featured players such as Russell Latapy, commonly known as The Little Magician, Leonson Lewis and Marvin Faustin, among many other outstanding national players who triumphed at the intercol play-off, will be in the tournament next year.
The competition started 25 years ago with a clash between Belmont and CIC on Ash Wednesday, but because of the demand by other schools, it was increased by seven schools. This year saw the inclusion of St Augustine Secondary.
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