THE launch of FIFA’s pilot project that targets football development at the grassroots level was deemed a resounding success with an over-subscribed festival at Paul Bogle High School in St Thomas on Saturday.

The Digicel/JFF National Grassroots Programme, which seeks to expose young boys and girls from the age of six to 12 to the fundamentals of football, had an overwhelming kick-off with 150 kids turning up when organisers were expecting only 100.

But no one was turned away, instead contingencies co-ordinated by sponsors representatives, JFF staff, coaches, teachers, parents and the St Thomas FA staff were effected to facilitate all the kids.

“We had planned for 100 today (Saturday), but it’s football and the kids love it so we had a turnout of 150, and I think that’s a good problem,” said the programme’s co-ordinator, Andre Virtue.

According to him, the grassroots programme, which will have launches in all other parishes fashioning Saturday’s kick-off, will in the long run play a critical role in the development of the sport across its planks.

“I do believe we have so much ability and talent, and all we need now is discipline and character, and of course to provide the environment where they (football kids) can dream. Also we want to give them a chance to see more than what they would normally see in their communities,” Virtue said.

Following the colourful festivals that will mark the start of all the parish programmes, the respective FAs will be charged to carry-out the mandate “week in, week out”.

JFF president Captain Horace, who attended Saturday’s event, underlined the importance of FIFA choosing Jamaica for this grassroots pilot.

“I am elated and I really want to thank FIFA for having recognised the importance of Jamaica to the region and also to use Jamaica as a pilot project and this is indeed huge… when the world governing body chooses your country to do a pilot project like this certainly means a lot,” he said.

Burrell said the islandwide spread of such a programme will bring immeasurable benefit to Jamaica’s football in the long term.

“The tremendous value that will accrue from this to the youngsters cannot be overstated… when kids at this age get this kind of exposure, it will indeed make them outstanding players if they decide to go into the sport seriously,” Burrell told the Jamaica Observer.

The football executive hailed sponsors Digicel and Wisynco, through its Wata and Bigga brands, for their vision in partnering with the JFF on this “big” project.

“I have to lift my hat to Digicel and its directors and Wisynco’s William Mahfood because they both saw the importance of investing in the youth. Further credit most also be paid to their vision as this is not an attractive programme from a corporate company’s perspective, but they saw the value of it to the youngsters, football and Jamaica on whole,” noted Burrell.

Also on hand Saturday assisting the local instructors were technical director of Jamaica’s football, Professor Walter Gama, assistant senior men’s head coach Alfredo Montesso, and co-ordinator and head coach of the women’s programme Vin Blaine.

General secretary, Horace Reid, and director of operations, public relations and events at the JFF Janice Rose-Brown are other ranking members of the JFF who took part in the activities.

Representing lead sponsor Digicel was sponsorship manager, Tahnida Nunes.

The next festival will go to KSAFA and will be staged at Barbican Beach on May 27.