Friday, 11 November, is the final day for registration to take part in a football tournament to mark the first time International Men’s Day has been observed in Cayman.
International Men’s Day and the tournament will be held on Saturday, 19 November.
The Department of Counselling Services’ Family Resource Centre, along with the Department of Sports, has organised the football tournament and expo for men and boys at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
Miriam Foster of the Family Resource Centre urged more boys and teens to sign up for the event, which she said, would give them an opportunity to play with grown-up role models.
“Quite a few people have registered already, but we’d love to have more. We need about 50 more people, especially youth,” she said.
“Men and boys will be on the same team because the idea is that there can be positive male interaction,” Ms Foster said, adding that many at-risk youth lack positive male role models in their lives.
The concept of International Men’s Day originated in Trinidad in 1999 and has since been picked up by many countries worldwide. It aims to highlight male health issues, improve gender relations, promote gender equality and positive male role models, while creating a safer, less-violent world.
Ms Foster said that some people scoff at the idea of an international men’s day, “but there are serious issues affecting boys today. They are not performing as well as girls and 89 per cent of those on the at-risk register are boys”.
The tournament and expo event will be held from 9am to 3pm.
Each team will consist of five men and five boys or teens. Registration costs $15 for men and $5 for boys and there will be grand prizes and $25 vouchers up for grabs for the winners.
Mike Adam, minister for gender affairs, will deliver the International Men’s Day address and Health Minister Mark Scotland will open the games.
There will also be three on three basketball games and races for all ages.
“The football tournament is for men and boys, but the basketball games and races are for all the family,” said Ms Foster, who added there would be a variety of interesting booths to peruse as well.
Although Friday is the official cut-off date for registration, late entries will be allowed, Ms Foster said.
To register or to get more information, contact Ms Foster at 949-0006 or email [email protected]
The Department of Counselling Services’ Family Resource Centre, along with the Department of Sports, has organised the football tournament and expo for men and boys at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex.
Related Videos
