THE ‘Road to South Africa’ is still on for one Jamaican who will, next Saturday, contend locally for the coveted Red Bull Street Style Champion at Emancipation Park. The winner will be sent to South Africa to compete against street stylers from all over the world in April, just prior to the World Cup.

Red Bull Street Style is a concept that has taken the international football community by storm; it encourages participants to use their own style of ‘juggling’ in the most artistic ways. The principle of Red Bull Street Style is pretty much everything goes! Just like in a normal game of football you are not allowed to use your hands or arms to control the ball, and it is also forbidden to disturb your opponent in any way during his or her 20-second segment. During the battle, both the ball and the competitor must stay inside the competition area, a circle measuring 7 metres (23 ft) in circumference.

A battle comprises two players squaring off against each other in a three-minute session to showcase their football skills. Each player receives the ball for a 20-second segment before having to pass it over to his or her opponent. The winner of the battle advances to the next round.

Andre Virtue, who has represented Jamaica in football, and is a coach and football development facilitator, says, “Worldwide there are really great stories being reported of how amazing it has been, how challenging it was and the joy of victory for some and I do expect some of that and more for us here in Jamaica. We know that Jamaica always brings a different flavour and vibe and on January 30 we wait to see who will be the national champion.”

Virtue added: “There are qualifiers being held all throughout the country in Tivoli Gardens, Granville, Montego Bay, Barbican football field and others. We are inviting footballers to attend the qualifiers for a chance to participate on January 30.”

Judges for this event will include members of the local sporting, media and entertainment fraternities.

Members of the media will also be invited to compete against each other for charity with at least one ‘football juggla’ representing each media house.

In 2008, 45 countries from all four corners of the globe took on the challenge by sending the winners of their respective National Finals to the World Finals in Brazil, the spiritual home of the Beautiful Game.