MONTEGO BAY, St James — Sandals Resorts International (SRI) have signalled their commitment to youth football in the parishes of St James and Hanover, by almost doubling the sponsorship of the Under 17 and Under 20 competitions that kicked off on Sunday at Jarrett Park.

Mitch Watson, the Communications, Events, Public Relations Manager for Sandals, announced at Sunday's launch that Sandals was committing $1.3 million for this year's renewal of the competition, after last season's $700,000 sponsorship.

Despite the downturn in the economy and the difficulty to find money for sponsorship, Watson said SRI CEO Adam Stewart is "committed to ensuring that such partnerships continue, regardless of the sacrifice which is being made."

Watson pointed out that football can be an opening for each and every one of the youngsters, whether they chose to play professionally or for fun.

While stressing the importance of discipline on and off the field, he reminded the teams that a number of players who have gone on to represent the country at senior and junior levels came out of junior programmes similar to the one they are now participating in.

President of the St James Football Association, Texchus Nembhard praised Chairman of the Sandals Group Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and CEO Adam for the continued support of their community outreach programmes, "not just in football, and other sports, but in all walks of community needs."

Meanwhile, Reggae Youths hammered Lilliput Rovers 11-0 in their Under 20 game as Oneil Robinson scored four times, while Leslie Ford, Thavel Walters and Keneile Whyte all scored two each and Toreto Gregory got the other.

Reggae Youths led 5-0 at half time, while St James High edged Paradise FC 2-1 in another under 20 game. Cornwall College beat Club Stars 2-0 in the lone Under 17 game played.