Government Pledges $3 Million to Transform KFC Tournament into Caribbean Powerhouse
Petra Organisation Co-Director Troy Mendonca (centre) receives the sponsorship cheque from Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Charles Ramson Jr (3rd from right) and Minister within the Ministry Steven Jacobs (3rd from left) at the press briefing on Tuesday in the presence of other Government and Petra officials.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport has made a landmark commitment to elevate the KFC International Secondary School Football Tournament into a regional juggernaut, injecting $3 million into what they hope to become the Caribbean’s most prestigious youth football competition.
During Tuesday’s announcement, Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr. highlighted the intention of the government of Guyana, “the potential for this event is huge. You’re only scratching the surface right now,” Ramson proclaimed, signaling that this initial investment represents merely the opening salvo of government backing.
The stakes have never been higher. This December’s sixth edition will witness unprecedented expansion, with eight elite teams converging from six nations, including historic debuts from Brazil’s State School Monteiro Lobato and The Bahamas’ ACEA Select. Guyana’s reigning champions Chase’s Academic Foundation, fresh off their dramatic 8-7 penalty shootout victory last year, will battle international rivals across two prestigious venues: the Ministry of Education Ground and Queen’s College Ground.
The Government’s decisive intervention signals a watershed moment for youth football development. Minister Steven Jacobs emphasized that this public-private partnership between government, corporate Guyana, and the Petra Organisation represents a revolutionary model for Caribbean sporting excellence. The Ministry will even orchestrate a spectacular cultural showcase relocation to the iconic Kingston Seawall Esplanade, amplifying the tournament’s regional prominence.
Minister Ramson made clear: further funding increases are “probable” as the tournament’s trajectory accelerates. The KFC International Secondary School Football Tournament is set for December 14-21 at the Ministry of Education ground.
