MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The South Central Confederation Super League play-offs is set to kick-off on Wednesday, April 29, the Confed’s general secretary Dalton Wint has confirmed.

But unlike last term, when eight teams participated, only the Major League champions from St Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester and St Elizabeth will take part this season.

Wint said the decision to further downsize the competition, which is already a condensed version of the traditional 12-team Super League, is due to financial constraints.

“The main reason is because of lack of sponsorship,” Wint told the Jamaica Observer, adding: “So we have decided that, instead of a Super League, we will have a play-offs catering to the champions.”

The competition, Wint noted, will be played in a league format, with the four parish champions playing each other twice in a home-and-away series. At the end of the series, the team with the most points will be declared the winner and will subsequently represent South Central in the National Premier League play-offs.

Jamalco FC won last year’s South Central play-offs, beating DB Basovak 2-1 in the final, but missed out on top-flight promotion on goal difference. They remain on course to defend their title this season after advancing to the semi-finals of the Clarendon Major League. Standing in their way are Woodhall FC, Moores United and Comfort FC.

Meanwhile, Hillstars FC of Manchester are the first team to qualify for the play-offs, following a 3-1 victory over Downs FC on Sunday in their Major League final at the Kirkvine Sport Club.

Portmore United and Tru-Juice FC are vying to represent St Catherine, while Black Star FC and Appleton Estate FC battle for honours in St Elizabeth.