Time for the ‘real quality’

PRESIDENT OF the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Keith Wellington says he is confident that the standard of play in the schoolboy football competitions will continue to rise as the round of 16 matches in both the Manning Cup and daCosta Cup competitions continue.

Wellington noted that the best football in the competitions often emerges as the season progresses, and expects this year to be no different as the teams look to crown themselves champions in their respective competitions.

“I personally haven’t seen that many games, but we know that usually the real quality of the competition comes out in the second round,” said Wellington. “So I think, over the next couple of weeks, we will see what level we are really at.”

He also expressed delight at the performances of the local-based players who featured for the Reggae Boyz in their recent 4-0 victory over Bermuda in the Concacaf final-round World Cup Qualifier at the National Stadium.

“We were very pleased when we looked at the national team and saw the performances of the local-based players, who were actually standout players in our competitions not so long ago,” Wellington added.

Wellington was making specific reference to wingers Renaldo Cephas and Kaheim Dixon, as well as frontman Shamar Nicholson.

Cephas, who played for Charlie Smith in the Manning Cup, proved the bane of the Bermudan existence, providing two crosses to Bobby Reid and Nicholson that resulted in Jamaica going 3-0 up. Bermuda had earlier shot themselves in the foot with an own goal.

Another Manning Cup standout involved in that game was former Kingston College talisman, Dujuan Richards, who also found himself on the scoresheet, putting the icing on the cake to make the score 4-0.

The ISSA boss further praised the improved discipline shown by teams this season, emphasising that proper conduct on and off the field contributes greatly to the overall quality of the tournaments.

“I am happy with the noticeable improvement, and I am particularly pleased that the message seems to have gone through to the youngsters that we expect certain standards of behaviour,” Wellington explained. “We are only hoping that the improvement will continue because, at the end of the day, we believe that, once there is discipline, then the quality of the football will improve.”

Wellington noted that discipline and development within schoolboy football continue to attract corporate support, as many businesses recognise their role in nation-building through sports.

“Once we can continue to show that we are helping with the proper socialisation of our student-athletes, then corporate Jamaica is always willing to come on board and support us,” he said.

“Many of our corporate businesses understand their social responsibility to the country.”

Kingston College are defending Manning Cup champions, while Garvey Maceo are the reigning daCosta Cup champions.