St Catherine FA using football as crime-fighting tool

Citing the game's impact on reducing crime, stakeholders lauded sponsors for throwing their weight behind the St. Catherine Football Association Happy Sutherland KO competition.

Alliance MoneyGram, Crimson Dawn and McKay Security teamed up to sponsor the parish's premier knockout tournament to the tune of $1,000,000.00.

The competition, named in honour of long-serving Jamaica and St Catherine FA executive, former President and lifelong member Lincoln 'Happy' Sutherland, kicked off on Saturday at St Catherine's football headquarters, Spanish Town Prison Oval.

Speaking at the launch, Sutherland informed that it was in fact difficulties in garnering sponsorship that influenced his association with the competition, which he begun in a sponsor's capacity 44 years ago.

"I congratulate McKay and the other two sponsors," Sutherland said, pointing to the "big issue" of sponsorship at the parish level.

Further, he underlined its value and that of "persons who are prepared to sacrifice time and effort to keep this sport going", even as he admitted "there are just a few".

"I believe that football is one of the vehicles that can bring social good to a country and for us, particularly in some areas in St. Catherine that are very troubled areas, the fact that the boys have football to play and something to look forward to cause them perhaps not to do other things and for that I am very thankful that I have played a role over the years," said Sutherland.

"I know a lot of boys who could have got into trouble who did not get into trouble because we rated them as football players and they look forward to their day in the sun. That is what the sport offers. I think it allows the youngsters a chance to shine, one doesn't have to shine as a gunman, he can shine as a football player," he added.

Thirty-two (32) teams are participating, but only 28 will be involved in first-round action as the parish's Premier League representatives, Portmore United and Dunbeholden, along with last season's top Super League outfits, Fraszier's Whip and Tru-Juice, have been awarded a bye.

Social benefit

Portmore United's communications executive, Steve Brown, who is also a Superintendent of police, also spoke of the social benefits through sport and sponsorship.

Brown said: "Looking at the St. Catherine FA and the various clubs from the inner-city of St. Catherine, it's very important to have sponsors coming on board to assist these youngsters, help them to showcase their talent. The games at the Prison Oval are always full to capacity and the youngsters showcasing their talent need help sometimes.