GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Hon. Silveria Jacobs opened the 20th Annual Scholastic Soccer Tournament for Schools on Saturday. The tournament is organized annually by the St. Maarten Soccer Foundation.
Minister Jacobs applauded the Foundation for its continued efforts, throughout the 20 years, to promote the sport on St. Maarten. She commended the foundation for organizing the tournament in spite of the fact that Government cannot always assist.
"The foundation's efforts show that community initiatives from foundations and individuals can be powerful when the youth get together as a collective. We might be a small island but with so many talented and dedicated people on St. Maarten we must be able to project our talented youngsters to the world.
"The soccer foundation is doing its best to promote the sport on the island and Government will be working with the foundation and all other foundations to continue to promote sports on St. Maarten as well as regionally, and internationally," Hon. Minister Jacobs stated.
The Minister also commended and encouraged the large gathering of parents and supporters to continue their support of our youngsters. "Without parental involvement, despite efforts of schools and foundations, we will lose our children," Minister Jacobs said.
In addition the Minister appealed to the business community to continue their support of the foundation and all other sports organizations and foundations. "We must band together to help our children reach their highest potential," Minister Silveria Jacobs pointed out.
In closing, Minister Jacobs pledged the commitment of Government in doing their part in the promotion of sports on St. Maarten. The Minister was then invited to do the official opening kick-off to start the tournament.