SPONSORS of the inaugural LIME Street Football Challenge have all deemed the recent tournament a success.

Mitchell Watson, marketing manager of Pepsi Cola Jamaica, described the competition as a worthwhile business venture and also a good pastime for young Jamaicans.

“This was an excellent competition; it was a wonderful opportunity for Gatorade and Ocean Spray as brands to really get into the local community. The event went across the country in different communities, and I think scrimmage is a big thing… that’s what adolescent males get involved in and I feel that when football is on the rise crime goes on a decrease because we are giving young people something to do,” Watson told the Jamaica Observer after the final day of competition on Friday.

He continued: “It has been worthwhile for us as a brand, because it gave us an opportunity to give people a chance to remind them of our brands, to let them know that we are not just supporting big things, we are also into small things that reach the local guy on the ground and we are good to go again next year with LIME.”

The company hosted a giveaway during the competition, where patrons who were spotted drinking Ocean Spray ‘Flavour Splash’ Water were given a chance to kick and win a case of the product.

Marketing co-ordinator of KFC’s Jamaican franchise holder Restaurants of Jamaica, Ryan Silvera, praised telecommunications firm LIME for the noble initiative of organising a popular version of football played on the streets and lanes of Jamaica.

“Coming on board with LIME for this big initiative was excellent. We went across the entire island; we saw some great football talent…the excitement grew with every match played, and now we have a winner, so KFC is glad to be a part of such a great initiative to unearth talented Jamaicans, who I think will represent the country really well in Trinidad & Tobago,” said Silvera.

Silvera went on to add that when his company was approached by LIME, he knew right away this would be something KFC would want to do.

“LIME has done an excellent job from the beginning; when they came and approached us it was very much organised. The idea to develop something as simple as street football in Jamaica…because that is what it is doing, we are just glad to be a part of it, and we are looking forward to next year.”

The enthralling fast-paced four-a-side competition saw over 700 teams entering, over 235 matches played and over 927 riveting goals being scored.

Gulf Strikers, who hail from Morant Bay, St Thomas, were crowned champions and received the grand prize of $1 million, and will now travel all-expense paid to Trinidad & Tobago where they will represent Jamaica at the Regional Guinness Street Football competition June 6-7 at the Jean Pierre Complex.

They will be the first team from Jamaica to participate in the competition where they will go up against the hosts who are defending champions, along with teams from Dominica, St Vincent & the Grenadines, St Lucia, St Kitts, Guyana and Antigua. The winner of that competition will receive US$5,000 and an Introductory Advanced Level Coaching Course accredited by FIFA.

Gulf Strikers will be mentored by former Reggae Boyz skipper, Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner, and the team will commence training sessions on Saturday leading up to their departure.