Guardian General $45,000 for Scrabble

GUARDIAN General Limited has poured $45,000 into the 11th National Secondary Schools Scrabble Tournament. This was revealed by the company’s marketing and corporate communications manager Richard Lawrence at a news conference at Kapok Hotel, St Clair yesterday. He said his company had timed the launch of the tournament for this week, as it has been designated Literacy Week in Trinidad and Tobago. The tournament which will begin on September 25, involves 100 secondary schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

And it will run for five consecutive Saturday’s before the national champions are crowned. Lawrence said: “We at Guardian General (formerly NEMWIL) are very interested in the development of youth and this is a tangible way to help realise this vision. “We are going to try to expand the tournament to reach the 150 secondary schools in the country so that we would be helping to mould better minds even more.” Leslie Charles, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Scrabble Association, said more youths should turn to the game of scrabble because it is very beneficial.

“Scrabble really serves as a sedative and has a soothing effect on the players. With youths in this country so uncontrollable at the moment, getting them involve in scrabble will be a good pastime and will help them to be better individuals.” Charles pointed out there are a few corporate bodies like Guardian General who are willing to put their money out to help youths. “Investing in the youths is one of the ways that we can develop as a country and sadly only a few corporate companies are really coming forward to help. For their sterling support over the years I would like to thank Guardian General and hope that we can continue this fruitful partnership.”

Henry Saunders, curriculum coordinator of science at the Ministry of Education, was also on hand to address the gathering. “This scrabble tournament can be seen as a very important development tool for the youngsters and this will serve them better in the classrooms. “It will not only develop their language skills but also other subjects as well. I would like to congratulate the sponsors as well as the Trinidad and Tobago Scrabble Association for the positive growth of the sport and wish them all the best in the upcoming tournament.”