A major school football initiative officially kicked off in Guyana on Friday, October 2, with 118 teams entering the inaugural ExxonMobil Guyana Under-18 Schools Football competition.
The tournament, organised by the Vurlon Mills Football Academy, features 68 boys’ teams and 50 girls’ teams representing eight of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions.
The opening action took place at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, where Three Miles Secondary secured its place in the group stage with a convincing 4–0 victory over Bartica Secondary.
Riley Ketwaroo was the star of the opening match, scoring twice.
Ketwaroo opened the scoring in the 12th minute, giving Three Miles a 1–0 advantage at halftime. He completed his brace in the 68th minute before Eric Stephens added a third three minutes later.
Isaiah Daniels completed the scoring in the 74th minute as Three Miles booked its place in the next stage.
The tournament continues on Saturday, October 3, at the same venue, while fixtures involving teams from the other participating regions are expected to be announced during the coming week.
The wider nationwide programme of matches is scheduled to begin on October 9.
Organisers describe the competition as one of the largest grassroots school football initiatives undertaken in Guyana in recent years.
Its scale is particularly notable because it includes both boys’ and girls’ teams and extends participation beyond Georgetown and the traditional football centres.
With 118 school teams involved, the tournament provides a substantial platform for young players to gain competitive experience while giving coaches and scouts an opportunity to identify emerging talent.
The organisers have also positioned the tournament as part of a broader effort to create more opportunities for youth football development across Guyana.
