Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

THE NATIONAL Under-17 Reggae Boyz were yesterday fted by Nestl and given a motivational talk by Dr. Kingsley 'Ragashanti' Stewart at the Alhambra Inn as they embark on their World Cup qualifiers starting on Saturday.

The young Reggae Boyz host Group B of the 2007 CONCACAF tournament which consists of four other teams in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica and Trinidad and Tobago.

The tournament starts on Saturday and concludes on May 6, in which three teams will qualify for the FIFA World Cup in South Korea in August.

Nestl introduced its new energy canned Milo (Green Bull) ready-to-drink product to the players with it slogan 'Milo the food drink of future champions'.

Tania Christie, Nestl's consumer relationship marketing manager, implore the young Reggae Boyz not only to qualifying for the World Cup but "go for the Cup when you get there."

Said Christie: "Milo wishes to continue to support the team by introducing its newest member of the Milo family, the new ready-to-drink can, dubbed Green Bull, for the duration of the tournament.

"Nestl is pleased to support the team in its effort to qualify for this prestigious Cup. Milo has a long history of association with sports as we believe it is the cornerstone of the development of this nation. "Over the last two years, Milo has consistently supported the Under-17s through the donation of products to assist with the nutritional requirements of the team. In January, Milo donated over $500,000 in products and cash as they intensified their preparations," she said.

Guest speaker Dr. Stewart, in his usual down-to-earth manner, told the boys that their success was totally dependent on them and not luck.

"There is no good luck or bad luck or wi salt," said Stewart. "This notion of being salt or bad luckied does not exist. Success is a way of thinking, it's a way of belief. Success is created, teams that win have a culture. "Success has nothing to do with luck. Figure out what you want and don't lose focus, Successful people don't get distracted," he added.

2006 Rising Star song bird Nickeisha Barnes thrilled the boys while encouraging them to perform at their best.

Dever Orgill, captain of the team, suprisingly returned the favour to Barnes, before giving his vote of thanks.

"On behalf of the Under-17 players I want to use this opportunity to thank Nestle with providing us with this lovely luncheon and we really appreciate what you have done for us in giving us your support," said Orgill, a student of Titchfield High School.