Six western schools hunt million-dollar prize at MBU Invitational

SIX WESTERN Jamaica high schools will be seeking to pocket the top prize of $1 million in Montego Bay United (MBU) FC’s inaugural Invitational High School Football Competition at the Montego Bay Sports Complex today. Kick-off time is 11 a.m.

Just weeks before the opening of the schoolboy football season in September, the tournament’s aim is to support youth development and growth through sports.

Devaughn Ricketts, student athlete from Herbert Morrison Technical High School, said winning the invitational will impact the school greatly.

“The cash prize will help us with equipment needed in training for the upcoming daCosta Cup season. I think this is a good way to show my talent and I believe we will win the invitational,” Ricketts told The Gleaner.

“MBU will be my stepping stone. My father played for Wadadah FC, so I want to follow his footsteps and play for MBU one day,” he added.

The schools down to take part in today’s tournament are Cornwall College, Herbert Morrison Technical, Frome Technical, St James High, Maldon High and Irwin High.

Meanwhile, Norman Foster, coach of Irwin High School, said he believes the team has a chance to take home the top prize.

“I think my team is prepared and is ready for this competition. I think Irwin have a chance to win it just like any other team,” said Foster.

Additionally, he emphasised the importance of the event for showcasing the school’s talent and entertainment for the community.

“Going into this competition is important to the team but what I am looking for is our level of preparation going into the daCosta cup. I think the boys are prepared and ready to give a good account of themselves. It is a competition for people to come out and see the boys competing in a very exciting showdown,” said Foster.

The preseason on-day competition will be made up of 40-minute matches with six teams broken down into two groups of three teams. Teams will play each other with the group winners going to the final. The team finishing second in their group will play in a third-place play-off.

Director of the MBU youth academy, Leacroft Lettman, said this is a competition to showcase what the schools have to offer in terms of talent.

“This is where we look for talent. Some of our champions are found in events like these,” said Lettman, who wants to bring back the glory days of football in the west.

“We are also looking for youngsters who can make the transition into the senior team at an earlier level,” he added.

VIP tickets to the event will cost $2,000 while grandstand tickets will cost $1,500.

As an extra bonus a preseason friendly match between Jamaica Premier League teams MBU and Portmore United will kick off at 7 p.m.