The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Junior Cup Championship is scheduled to start today with six matches, including the clash between reigning all-island champions Melbourne CC and GC Foster at the Courtney Walsh Oval.

Also today, St Catherine CC host Kensington CC at Chedwin Park, Police Sports Club entertain Kingston CC at Elletson Road and Kingston & St Andrew CA welcome the Jamaica Defence Force to Maxfield Park.

In other matches, St James face neighbours Trelawny at Jarrett Park and St Ann CA travel to Palmer’s Park to battle St Mary.

All matches are slated to start at 10:00 am.

Melbourne won the title in 2010, but the Junior Cup, seen as a feeder competition for the top tier Senior Cup, was not held last season due to funding constraints.

JCA secretary Fritz Harris explained that the clubs and associations will bear the brunt of the expenses this year because of lack of funding.

“The Junior Cup will be funded by the clubs, except for umpires’ fees which will be covered by the JCA. All other expenses will be borne by the clubs,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Monday.

With the Senior Cup two-day tournament set to begin next weekend, Harris added that the association is still finalising sponsorship arrangements.

“For the Senior Cup, things are not looking too bad. We are still working out some finer details as it relates to sponsorship and so on, but generally we are at 75 per cent of the way in terms preparedness for the competition,” Harris said.

Manchester CA are the defending Senior Cup champions.