Star-studded lineup of youngsters for all-star competition

OUTSTANDING YOUTH players from the primary, preparatory, and under-14 levels of football competitions will hone their skills at the second staging of the All-Star Football Competition, scheduled for Sunday at the Constant Spring Football Field in St Andrew.

The star-studded teams will include standout players from the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Preparatory and Primary Schools’ League, and the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) under-14 football competitions.

According to tournament technical director, Haron Martin, the best players from the league were chosen and will compete against each other. However, this year more players at the preparatory and primary level will get the opportunity to compete for top honours in the competition.

“We wanted to give more players an opportunity to participate. Last year each team had 20 players each; this year we have increased the number t0 30 players. Based on this number we will split the competition into two, A and B teams. The winners of these matches will vie for the top spot,” Martin said.

The selection process, he said, included discussions with the coaches from different teams, that advanced to the quarter finals of each competition.

“The schools at the primary level will include St Aloysius, Rosseau, Mona Heights, and Iris Gelley while the preparatory teams will include players from Sts Peter and Paul, Lannaman’s, Vaz Prep, Mona, Hillel, Emanuel Christian Academy, Liberty Academy, Wolmer’s, Hydel, American International School of Kingston, and El Instituto de Mandevilla,” Martin said.

At the under-14 level, the teams will consist of schools from Kingston grouped geographically and separated into north and south.

“The south-grouped team will include players from Kingston College, St George’s College, Wolmer’s Boys’ School, Excelsior High, and Holy Trinity. Overall, 20 players will be on this squad,” Martin said.

“On the north-grouped team, 20 players were also chosen from schools including Jamaica College, Calabar, Hillel Academy, Campion College, St Andrew Technical High School, St Catherine High, and Eltham High,” he said.

The winners of the playoffs will receive a trophy that will remain with the respective teams’ coaches for one year.

Martin said the training sessions leading up to the competition have been going well, and all the players are excited to participate and entertain the spectators. “Everyone is ready to go!” he said.

Meanwhile, Kemar Edwards, head coach of the all-prep team, said they have worked with a number of the players over the years, in competitions and by club associations, and as such they are familiar with their abilities.

“The players will come out and do their best. We have talented players from the various teams, and they will be gunning to represent themselves and their schools,” Edwards said.

Conceptualiser and tournament director, Leighton Davis, said he was happy to give the rising stars of Jamaican football a platform to showcase their talent.

“Our main goal is to invest in grassroots football and help grow the sport locally,” Davis said.

Main sponsor for the event is Project 2 Project Ltd with MDS Limited, the hydration sponsor through their Splurt brand, Blaktie Images, will provide all signages for the event and Yardie Sport, along with MG Sports are the social media sponsors.

Gates open at noon with games being played at 1:30 p.m., 2:45 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. respectively.