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by pltm
(PLTM) - Despite the obvious challenge of the absence of proper facilities, a whopping 52 teams from all the primary and secondary schools in the Territory are set to go head to head in this year's 2016-2017 BDO Primary and Secondary Schools Football Tournament.
The league, which launched yesterday, October 3 at the headquarters of the BVI Football Association (BVIFA), will officially begin on October 12th at the A. O. Shirley Recreational Grounds.
As highlighted by the President of BVIFA, Andy Bickerton, the association is faced with the pressure of not having proper facilities to host the games. He noted that along with the main field on Tortola, the A. O. Shirley Grounds, the association will be exploring other grounds across the Territory.
On this note, teams from the primary level will play most of their games at the fields situated at the Althea Scatliffe Primary and in Baughers Bay, while those of the secondary level will be alternating between fields on Tortola and Virgin Gorda.
President Bickerton went on to highlight the commencement of the football field and stadium in East End, and added that its completion would solve the association’s greatest problem.
“Once we get a decent playing surface at the East End stadium, it will help the youngsters develop their technical skills.”
As earlier reported by BVI Platinum News, the Multipurpose Greenland Stadium is predicted to be completed between late January and early February. Work is expected to start on October 17th with the installation of the artificial pitch.
Meanwhile, the launch of the league also saw BVI BDO making a contribution of $15,000 to the success of the tournament. This is the company’s fifth year as title sponsor for the event.
Director of BDO, Ryan Geluk noted that the company is excited with the number of teams registered and the number of young persons involved in the game.
“It's about having fun. Seeing the children enjoying themselves with smiles on their faces is what it's about and why we continue to sponsor.”
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