Mayaro football league kicks off with top action

Mayaro was buzzing with action recently as the 2017 BP Trinidad and Tobago Razack Jan Memorial Mayaro Football League kicked off at the Ortoire Recreation Ground, Mayaro.

Celebrating its 19th year, the league has been supported by energy company BPTT from inception. It is managed by Illusions International Sports and Cultural Club and features teams from across the south-eastern region competing in various age divisions.

Rachael Caines, Corporate Social Responsibility Advisor, BPTT, underscored the company’s investment in the development of Mayaro football. “The success of Mayaro’s football league is as legendary as the success that Mayaro as a community has experienced in supplying world class football players to our national football team. BPTT believes in the power of sport.

All over the world sport has been a unifying force, helping to build communities and nations in ways no other social intervention can,” Caines said.

The league opening was highlighted by a double header featuring the national Under-15 and Under-17 teams squaring off against the local Mayaro stars representing MaGuaya Chivas and Guaya United, respectively.

MaGuaya Chivas defeated the national Under-15 outfit 2-1 in what was a closely fought game. In the second encounter, Guaya United were no less competitive but were edged by the national Under-17 team with a 3-2 final scoreline.

On hand to guide his young charges and observe firsthand the talent of the BPTT Mayaro Football League was Russell Latapy, head coach of the national Under-15 team. “This league is definitely a great investment for the people of Mayaro and sport is one of the best means of closing the gaps and bridging the boundaries in society.

I’m happy to be here today and I’m really proud of Mayaro and everyone responsible for this league which gives the youths the opportunity to fulfill their potential,” said the former national stand-out.

Also present at the launch were Member of Parliament for Mayaro, Rushton Paray, and Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Fisheries. They also had the honour of formally commissioning the floodlights that were installed by T&TEC, represented by the company’s Deputy Chairman, Glenford Cyrille.