In Santo Domingo, the third round of the Scotiabank Football Club 2024 National Children's Championship will unite approximately 500 children and teenagers from disadvantaged communities in Santo Domingo, Santiago, and La Romana. Taking place from the 6th to the 29th of September, this event aims to enhance social engagement and sports values like team spirit, discipline, and tenacity.
This year, the competition will introduce two initiatives that strengthen Scotiabank's commitment to the overall development of the younger generation. Almost 1,300 players have already benefited from past editions of the tournament.
The initiative, Team Infinity – All on the Field, allows previous tournament participants, parents, guardians, and Bank officials to gather on the field and create the infinity symbol. This symbol represents the endless opportunities provided by this sport, as well as the boundless energy of the shared passion among players, families, and volunteers.
The second initiative, La Liga de la Vida, is a board game that provides players with weekly financial education through a fun method. It aims to provide them with preparation for a successful future both in and outside the sport.
The executive president of the Bank, Gonzalo Gil, expressed, “Football is progressively gaining popularity among the country’s younger generations and its unique potential to inspire and encourage is undeniable. It’s not just a sport but a platform for youngsters to engage in a healthy environment and cultivate values that will assist them in achieving their life goals.“.
Mauricio Pelta, Vice President of Personal and Small Business Banking noted, “We are extremely proud to maintain our tradition of mixed teams, ensuring that each of the teams is inclusive of at least three female players. This allows us to provide an inclusive environment and offer them an opportunity to view the world from a different perspective.“.
The championship is part of the five strategic programs of Scotiabank Fútbol Club, a platform committed to children and teenagers’ development through sports. The programs reach beyond the Dominican Republic to Latin America and the Caribbean. The other initiatives include soccer fields, red indestructible balls for any field, community alliances, and SportNet, a methodology from the FC Barcelona Foundation aimed at enhancing vulnerable children’s emotional and physical well-being.
Tournament Details
In Santo Domingo, Santiago, and La Romana, the teams will compete for a spot in the final round scheduled for Santo Domingo on the 28th and 29th of September. The champion team will go on to participate in the 2024 Scotiabank Continental Cup in Peru in November.
Scotiabank will cover all costs for the regional competition’s victors to travel to Barcelona, Spain. The successful team will have the opportunity for an unforgettable experience with the FC Barcelona Club (Barça). This will incorporate football clinics, training sessions, and informative sessions with highly qualified and accredited professionals. The Bank’s goal is to aid these young players in their growth and development as high-performing athletes.
The qualifying games in Santo Domingo will be conducted at the Mirador del Este Sports Park in Santo Domingo Este on the 7th and 8th of September. In Santiago, the games will take place at the Iberia Institute on the 14th and 15th of September. In La Romana, the games will be held at the La Estación football field of Club Real on the 21st and 22nd of September. The final match is set for the 28th and 29th of September at the Mirador del Este Sports Park in Santo Domingo Este.
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