KSAFA Under-17 football kicks off today

The 2019 Alliance MoneyGram KSAFA Under-17 football competition is to kick off today with the playing of three matches.

In the feature game, last year’s beaten finalist Cavalier will oppose Bull Bay. In the day’s other games, Tivoli Gardens will host Mountain View at Edward Seaga Sports Complex and Harbour View will entertain Brown’s Town at Harbour View Mini-Stadium. All matches are scheduled to start at 4 p.m.

Alliance MoneyGram, who has been sponsoring the tournament for the second consecutive year, has pumped $1.5 million in this year’s competition. Twenty-two teams will be participating in the tournament with Boys’ Town as the defending champions.

Devonna Coke, senior operations officer Alliance MoneyGram, said her company is committed the development of the sport in Jamaica.

“Our company firmly believes in the development of our young people and we try to provide the channels for them to realise their aspirations and to be the best they can be,” said Coke, following yesterday’s press launch, which was held at the Scotiabank sports club in Liguanea.

“Due to this philosophy, Alliance sponsors a number of junior sports competitions and fund scholarships programmes with the hope that young people can turn their dreams into reality,” she said while adding that they are expecting a very exciting competition this year.

“As the competition kicks off this week, we look forward to a very competitive, well disciplined and enjoyable season,” Coke stated.

Meanwhile, president of KSAFA Wayne Shaw said his association is grateful for the sponsorship that they have received for this year’s tournament.

“This is their second year coming on board and I am happy for that,” said Shaw.

“We also got some help from the SDF (Social Development Foundation) and these sponsorships will ensure that some of the competition’s cost is covered because we will also provide gear for our quarter-finalists and so we are very happy about that,” he said.

“Our youth competitions are always very competitive because last year Boys’ Town defeated Cavalier in the final and so I am expecting a very competitive season this year,” Shaw said.