BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - SCORES of bright-eyed, eager and smartly-dressed young footballers from across the Federation assembled at the Warner Park Football Stadium on Friday (Oct. 21) afternoon for the official launch of the 2011 St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank (SKNANB)-sponsored Schools Football Programme.
The programme encompasses a variety of activities designed to promote the sport within the Federation and to hone the skills of tender-aged and upcoming footballers.
According to Director of Sports Dave Connor who spoke exclusively with SKNVibes, the programme officially commenced in September with workshops that were followed by preparation of footballers for participation in Primary Schools Football Tournament.
He said High School tournaments are also included in the programme.
Marketing Manager of the SKNANB Patricia Wilkinson, in giving remarket at the launch, expressed her entity’s continued commitment to the programme which it has sponsored for more than 16 years.
She noted that the harvest of the SKNANB’s investment is more than evident.
“What started as a small competition, primary school competition, has grown to include the high schools and now the CFB College. And this clearly indicates the stability of the programme and the commitment of the Sports Department in administering the programme. Similarly, national’s investment, which is by no means small, has grown in tandem with the league. In these tough economic times, we continue to invest in our leaders of tomorrow through programmes such as these because the profits are really readily apparent.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Dominic Stevens, an executive of the St. Kitts-Nevis-Football Association, who expressed the association’s commitment to football in the Federation and the development of the youth component of the nation.
In that regard, he pledged sponsorship of 65 balls to aid in the initiative.
Chair of the proceedings Vernon Springer, noted that the programme is vital to sports education within the Federation, evident by the fact that almost all members of the St. Kitts-Nevis U-23 Squad were birthed from this programme.
Minister of Sports Glen Phillip officially declared the programme open and commended all partners in promoting the holistic development of the nation’s youth.
The ceremony also signalled the opening of the SKNANB/Ministry of Sports Seven-A-Side Primary Schools Competition which began on Friday.
The entire programme is expected to run until December 2011.
