KINGSTON College’s football programme goes in search of over $10 million to prepare teams for the new school year, with the first major fund-raiser today in Kingston.

Proceeds from the ‘Thank You Mama’ concert to be staged at the Ashanti Restaurant, Hope Gardens today, Mother’s Day, beginning at 4:00 pm, are expected to kick-start the process of funding the programme for the Under-12, Under-14, Colts and Manning Cup squads.

According to technical director Trevor ‘Jumpy’ Harris, the concert, to be headlined by the Fab Five band, will serve other purposes as well.

“Our footballers believe, and we all concur, that this event is an excellent visionary approach to counteract violence and the gang culture in our schools in that it speaks to respect and love — not hate and violence.

“It is a positive first step in the right direction, especially coming from boys, as it will be a public expression of love and affection to the matriarch, the roots, of the family. We commend and support our boys for their breath-of-fresh air initiative,” Harris said.

Staged in conjunction with the KC Old Boys Association and the Parent Teachers Association, the event will also honour and acknowledge hard-working mothers of KC’s past and present students.

“Can you imagine, if every institution would emphasise love in a similar fashion? Mother’s Day would be re-energised, and Jamaica would be overwhelmed with love. Love would conquer hate, if only for a day. We humbly ask for your support in cash and kind to make this worthwhile initiative a success,” Harris said.

A former KC star of the fearsome 1964 and 1965 KC triple championship teams, who went on to represent Jamaica, Harris took over at the end of last season from another KC old boy, Wayne Fairclough — the present coach of Arnett Gardens FC.

This is Harris’ second stint as KC’s coach.

Assistant coach Baldwin ‘Bunny’ Fisher, KC’s captain of 1964, is working with the goalkeepers and overseeing other areas of the programme.

According to Fisher, steady progress is being made with football at the school that has won the Manning Cup 14 times.