Young male, female footballers on show for international coaches

They did so at a twoday Colleges Invitational All-star tournament which kicked off at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on Saturday.

And Sports Minister Darryl Smith paid the activities a surprise visit on Saturday morning.

Prior to the action at the stadium, there was a symposium held at the Kapok Hotel on Friday.

Minister Smith commended the activities which he described as “very impressive, particularly the quality of the overall initiative.” And Marc-Anthony William, director of Sport for Colleges Invitational was very impressed with the turnout of both players and their support teams.

He said, “it was just a testament to the need for these kinds of programmes and opportunities to develop the talent, and have open and honest dialogue with stakeholders.” William said the programme provide an avenue for international success at colleges, universities and professional league levels outside of TT .

Coach Brynjar Thor Gestoon of Iceland Club Trottor Vogum wqas impressed by the visit of Sports Minister Smith, and said it was “ a clear reminder that, like the rest of the world the desire for Trinidad and Tobago football to succeed has to be an investment at every level, community, administration and government.” Scouts from Arsenal Soccer School, USA and Champs Academy were at the stadium to observe the local talent for potential scholarship opportunites at the tertiary level as well as professional league signings.

Teams from North, South, East, West and Tobago registered for the tournament which carried total prize money of $65,000.

Colleges Invitational All-Star Tournament: Male Teams St. Anthony’s College; St. Mary’s College; Queen’s Royal College; Shiva Boys College; Diego Martin North Secondary St. Benedict’s College; Central FC; East Mucurapo Secondary; Waterloo Institute; Crown Trace FC; St.

James Secondary; St. Augustine Secondary; Tobago All- Star; Trinity College East.

Colleges Invitational All-Star Tournament: Female Teams: St. Augustine Secondary; Diego Martin Central Secondary; St. James Secondary; St. Joseph’s Convent POS.