Mayaro Football League kicks off

Action starts off with a parade of teams at 1 pm in the competition which has been attracting increased participation in the district.

A total of 20 teams have registered for the round-robin, knockout and league competitions, which will be played under lights.

Defending league champions, Cosmos, have been hard at practice in an effort to retain their title and capture the $5,000 first prize.

Manzanilla United, who won the KO trophy last year, will again vie for honours and the $2,000 first prize.

Tournament organiser, Razack Jan, expects a high standard of play in this year’s competition. He said today that teams are pulling out all stops to do well.

“The young players have taken heart from the exploits of the Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors 2006 World Cup team. Two members of the team, Collin Samuel and Anthony Wolfe, are products of the Mayaro Football League.

“The players realise that if they put their heart and soul into the game, they, too, can reach the top. As a matter of fact, we have several young players who are showing great potential and can reach the top with the right desire and determination,” said Jan.

He praised energy company bpTT for sponsoring the league for yet another year.

“Their partnership has been very instrumental in the revival of football in Mayaro over the past few years,” he noted.