A three-week football competition, sponsored by the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla (NCBA) for the first time, is assisting boys and girls in the Government-run Primary Schools and the private Central Christian School to develop their soccer skills. The event is also providing much entertainment for parents and other members of the public.
The competing teams, attired in their NCBA uniforms, marched to the Raymond E. Guishard Football Stadium on Friday, October 7, for the commencement of the 2016 Annual Primary Schools Tournament.
Mr. Michael Bird, CEO of NCBA, said the Bank would continue supporting the tournament and the participation of the young footballers. “We recognise the significant impact that sports can have on your lives so the sponsorship of this tournament is near and dear to us at NCBA,” he said. “It teaches us discipline; it brings enjoyment to us, the fans; helps us to develop as a nation; and promotes teamwork and cooperation. For some children, sport is an avenue to express their feelings and provides them with a constructive way of filling the gap in society. We thank you for entertaining us and for allowing NCBA to participate in your activities.”
Minister of Sports, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, thanked NCBA for its first annual sponsorship of the Primary Schools Football Tournament. He was grateful to the former National Bank of Anguilla which sponsored the event for over 28 years. He agreed with Mr. Alkins Rogers, Secretary of the Football Association, who chaired the ceremony, that the competition was one of the most anticipated tournaments in Anguilla. The Minister told the players that the event was not just about winning, but forming partnerships and promoting discipline and teamwork. He appealed to parents and other members of the public to support the children.
The Football Association’s Secretary commended Ms. Marisa Gumbs of NCBA, and Mrs. Susan Smith of the Department of Education, for their hard work in organising the tournament.
He also took the opportunity to announce monetary gifts to a number of schools, for their success in a previous tournament, as follows: The Adrian T. Hazell Primary Schools: US$100.00 for the boys’ team which placed third; and US$300.00 for the girls who placed first; Orealia Kelly Primary School, which placed first in the boys’ competition, winning US$ 300.00 and second in the girls’ competition, winning US$200.00; The Valley Primary School where the girls placed 3rd and won US$100.00; and the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School where the boys placed first and won US $300.00.
The presentations were made by the President of the Football Association, Mr. Raymond Guishard; and the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Mr. Charles Connor, Principal of the Central Christian School.
