RBTT bankrolls Intercol again

The money is to go toward their education and further development.

According to Dwayne Kangaloo, RBTT’s Assistant General Manager, the arrangement will be between the bank and the player to determine the best option.

This is in the light of Government’s plan for free tertiary education from next year.

Details were given at the launch of the 2005 Intercol competition at the Chancellor Hotel, St Ann’s yesterday.

The prizes for the best players are among the $300,000 sponsorship package for the Intercol tournament which is being taken up by RBTT.

Kangaloo said the bank will fund an All-Star team for two matches against a Jamaican Schoolboy XI in Kingston, Jamaica in December.

The Trinidad and Tobago All-Stars will be selected from the league while the media will also have a significant input in determining the best players for the 2005 season.

Royal Bank Intercol fever has already started with teams in serious preparation for the kick-off on Monday (October 31) at venues across Trinidad and Tobago.

Kangaloo said Intercol brings excitement to RBTT not only because of the entertainment it provides, but also because of the role it plays in enhancing unity.

He pointed out that the only way to deal with the escalating crime rate is by everyone uniting to fight the plague.

This unity he said, is seen at Intercol matches. Intercol is the stage for unearthing new talent, Kangaloo said, adding that Dwight Yorke, Stern John and Russell Latapy have all passed through the Secondary Schools League.

He said the tournament comes on the heels of Trinidad and Tobago’s effort to qualify for the World Cup Finals in Germany next year.

The Warriors play Bahrain in a two-match play-off for a spot in the prestigious 32-team competition.

Kangaloo said RBTT’s sponsorship also provides for scholarships and contract offers.

For instance, he said that Stuart John Hall, a manager of the Birmingham City Football Academy held a number of football coaching clinics earlier this year to help in the development of the sport at 15 schools in the league.

Three-time Intercol champions St Anthony’s College, and Malick Secondary Comprehensive, the girls champions, were among those who took part in the coaching clinics.

Yesterday both schools got their championship trophies for keeps for winning three consecutive times.

Midfielder Akil De Freitas received the big trophy on behalf of the Tigers of Westmoorings while Sabrina Frederick collected the award for Malick.

RBTT have also added another competition to the already popular ones that are evident around the Intercol.

Kangaloo said his company has introduced "The Sweetest Sounding Rhythm" competition, for which a cash prize will be at stake.

It adds to the Best Supporter Turn-out, Most Original Flag, Most Original Chant and the Best Cheerleading Routine.

Also yesterday at the media conference, Rudolph Thomas, a vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) urged the players to find the right combination between their academics and their football saying it was very important.

He suggested that if it were up to him he would implement a policy where students must have at least three O’Levels passes, before they can be considered for selection on a national football team.