LONGVILLE PARK, Clarendon -- Currency trading agency FX Trader Ltd on Saturday renewed their sponsorship of the Clarendon Football Association (CFA) Division One competition for the third consecutive year, with product development manager Richard Blake pledging $650,000 to the running of this year's league.

The sum represents a $150,000-increase from last year's package and will now cover the cost of gear "branding, a portion of the referee's fees" and prize monies.

Blake said his company decided to extend their relationship with the CFA because they saw it as the perfect opportunity to "give back to the grass-roots people who have been supporting" their brand.

"... Now more than ever is when we as a company need to give back to the development of our youths... to the development of our nation," Blake told the Observer.

"But let's not take it away from the Clarendon FA because they have done a wonderful job in going from community to community year after year, so... getting on board with them is really supporting that whole effort of building communities through sports.

"We see this as something that we are obligated to do for this country because these are the people who support our brands," Blake added.

A total of $181,000 will be paid out in cash prizes this year. The winning team will walk away with $60,000; runners-up will pocket $40, 000; third-place $30,000 and the fourth-place finishers will get $20,000.

The most disciplined team will collect $10,000; dress parade winners (Moores) $6,000, while the most valuable player, the top goalscorer and the top coach will each get $5,000.

The CFA president Michael Ricketts was in a thankful mood when he spoke to the Observer.

"In these times of real economic hardships... the contribution of FX Trader is of a greater significance because these are the times when business entities are finding it difficult to offer sponsorship, and we were fortunate to get an increase," Ricketts said.

In the meantime, Free Town FC edged neighbours Longville Park FC 1-0 in the opening game, to take an early lead in Zone D.

The lone goal was scored by Nicklus Matthews, who kept his composure to head home a right-sided cross in only the third minute of play.

The competition was scheduled to continue with five games between yesterday and today.

Yesterday in Zone A, Abassian and Coffalls were set to meet at Waterwell, as Comfort went up against Mitchell Town at Comfort. In Zone B, Bailey and Bailey's were scheduled to play Spartan at Clarendon College.

Today, Mihno play Rock River SC at Clarendon College in another Zone B game, while Bucknor FC will host Cherry Tree at the Bucknor playing field, to kick off action in Zone C. Matches start at 3:30 pm.

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