Jamaica Yellow Pages showed their continued support of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Jackie Bell Knockout competition by handing over their $4 million sponsorship cheque at a press launch at their Constant Spring offices yesterday.

Jamaica Yellow Pages, in the second of their three-year $12-million deal, also took the opportunity to display and hand out the 2013 telephone directory.

Alleyne Graham, Jamaica Yellow Pages marketing manager, said her organisation is always looking for unique ways to make an impact within communities and the sponsorship of the Jackie Bell Knockout not only gives back to the communities but keeps the memory of one of Jamaica’s football heroes alive.

Said Graham: “Jamaicans have always have a love affair with football, with every father hoping that their son will become the next Diego Maradona, or represent Jamaica on a national level with even further dreams of representing our country on an International level in the FIFA World Cup”.

“Associations like KSAFA help to train our young athletes, by teaching them the necessary skills, both on and off the field, that will help to prepare them for the next level of football. At Jamaica Yellow Pages, we understand the impact that football has on our country and our fellow countrymen, the pride we feel when we wear our team colours and the jubilation when our team scores the winning goal. We want to be a part of the overall football experience with our consumers, we want to share in the celebration and be a part of those very special football moments,” she added.

As a part of their title sponsorship this year, Jamaica Yellow Pages will provide teams with football kit, which will include essential items as such as jerseys, water bottles, face towels and a sports bag.

“We will also be posting up-to-date photos and live Tweets from most of the matches on our Twitter and Facebook pages, so fans and players will have a chance to tag and share photos from the matches,” noted Graham.

“Patrons and football fans can also look forward to amazing prizes and giveaways at each match, as well as an exciting JYP half-time entertainment package for the semi-finals and final,” she added.

Meanwhile KSAFA president Rudolph Speidsaid that this year’s competition will be the biggest one ever.

“This Jackie Bell competition is the premier knockout competition in Jamaica because at all times we have six of the best premier league teams in it. This is the best competitive competition Jamaica has,” boasts Speid.

“We are going on strongly for the last 26 years, and over these years, we have had some stellar performances from the clubs,” he added.

Arnett Gardens will be one of 36 teams from the KSAFA Super, Major and Syd Bartlett leagues vying for the $250,000 winning prize.

Premier League outfits Harbour View, Boys’ Town, Tivoli Gardens, Waterhouse FC and Cavalier will join the competition in the next round. The competition has already started with the first leg action last week.

The preliminary rounds consist of 56 games contested by the six Premier League clubs; 12 Super League clubs; 12 Major League and six Syd Bartlett teams on a home and away basis. There will be four quarter-final and two semi-finals matches with the grand finale set for Wednesday, February 13, 2013.

And for those who didn’t know, the competition is named in honour Jamaican sportsman Winthorp ‘Jackie’ Bell who died in a bus crash along with fellow St George’s College old boy Dennis Ziadie at the World Cup Finals of 1986 in Mexico.

He was a former St George’ College Manning Cup player, national player, coach of Santos Football Club and president of the club. The Jackie Bell KO started in 1987.