These is considerable excitement among school children, their families and other members of the public over the 25th Annual Primary Schools Football Competition, now in progress at the Football Stadium adjacent to the Ronald Webster Park.
The event was launched by NBA on Friday, October 11, in partnership with the Social Security Board for the first time. NBA’s Operations Manager, Marisa Gumbs, said she has had the privilege of being involved in the tournament for the past eight years. “I am truly amazed, year after year, with the level of commitment that all persons involved display,” she said at the opening ceremony. “Twenty-five years ago the National Bank of Anguilla Limited made the decision to sponsor thistournament as the Directors and Managers of the day understood the importance of such an event.
“It is well known the impact that sport can have in our lives. It brings communities together, teaches discipline, brings enjoyment to the fans, develops a nation and so much more…We are all well aware of the vital role that sport plays among our young people. Partaking in sporting activities allows for healthier and more physically fit children. It is found that children involved in sport exhibit a more disciplined approach to life as they learn about team-work and cooperation, playing fair, and about winning and losing.”
Ms Gumbs expressed gratitude to the Anguilla Social Security Board for recognising the importance of the tournament. “We welcome them aboard with us as we strive to ensure that football at the Primary School level continues for many more years to come,” she added.
Permanent Secretary, Education and Sports, Mrs Chanelle Petty Barrett, said that NBA had become a leader not only in banking but in uniting and developing the island’s young people through sport. She welcomed Social Security as a co-sponsor of the prestigious tournament and for its generosity.
Mrs Petty Barrett continued: “This tournament is all about caring for the needs of our children, developing their abilities through the playing of sport, instilling in them discipline and a purpose to achieve and better their lives and our society. The spirit of competition and fair play teaches our young people about personal discipline – an element that is absent from so many lives and the cause of so many unnecessary problems within our society. The positive exposure our children receive through their involvement in this tournament expands their horizons and teaches them to face new challenges in their lives.”
The Permanent Secretary encouraged parents, teachers, friends and community members, to give all the teams their support and encouragement. She added: “I also wish to thank all those persons who would have been instrumental in organising this tournament – representatives of NBA, the Social Security Board, the Anguilla Football Association, the Departments of Education and Sport, and also those persons who volunteer their time in various capacities.”
Deputy Director of Social Security, Mrs Maglan Richardson, congratulated the organisers of the tournament, parents, children and the coaches, for coming together over the 25 years to participate in the annual event. She said the Social Board was always interested in the development of the island’s young people as they were the future of Anguilla. She encouraged them to demonstrate the hard work they did during their coaching sessions and to strive for excellence, notwithstanding that only one team would emerge overall winner.
Ross Guishard, one of the original persons involved in the tournament from its inception, commended NBA for sponsoring the event over the 25-year period. Guishard, a teacher at the Central Christian School, a participant in the tournament, recalled that he had just returned from Teachers’ College in 1989 – when NBA began sponsoring the tournament. He spoke about the high quality of the uniforms, the growth of the event and the successes that many young people had achieved, throughout the years of the tournament, and the continued commitment of NBA.
The tournament was declared open by Minister responsible for Education and Sports, Jerome Roberts. “Let me express profound thanks to the Management and Staff of the National Bank of Anguilla for its continued service, and for seeing the need to sponsor sports development – and to embrace our youth in their 2013 sponsorship,” he stated. “I am confident that with the continued financial support of the National Bank of Anguilla that this competition will continue to be a feature on our calendar for many more years to come. I also take the opportunity to say welcome and thank you to the Board, Director and Staff of Social Security for coming on board and making a significant contribution to this year’s tournament. We look forward to this partnership continuing for many more years to come.”
The Minister encouraged the children to demonstrate a high level of performance during the tournament which continues until November.
The ceremony was chaired by Alkins Rogers, Chairman of the SocialSecurity Board.
