Feb 10 kick-off for Jackie Bell KO
Seven Red Stripe Premier League and nine Super League teams will take part in the 2018 JN Bank Visa/KSAFA Jackie Bell Knockout which kicks off on Saturday, February 10.
Barbican United, Molynes United, and Cavalier Soccer Club are the teams to watch this year, with the competition now entering its 28th staging.
Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) President Wayne Shaw said the budget for the upcoming season stands at $4 million in cash and $3.4 million in goods and services. He anticipates another $1.5 million before the start of the knockout, declaring opportunities for at least two more sponsors.
Title sponsor JN Bank has contributed $3 million, making it 21 years that the Jamaica National brand has been partnering with KSAFA.
The winners will take home $400,000, runners-up $250,000, third place $150,000 and fourth place will pocket $100,000.
According to Shaw, the 30 participating clubs will get $40,000 for branding, along with $5,500 for advancing to the second round, $8,250 for the third round and $11,000 for quarter-finalists.
Fourteen Major League teams will get busy in round one, set for this weekend, and after the live draw, with home teams named first, Swallowfield face New Kingston, Shortwood meet Meadforest, Police National welcome Whitfield Town, August Town tackle Bull Bay, Constant Spring go up against Seaview Gardens, Red Hills United clash with Liguanea United, and Allman Woodford battle Duhaney Park.
The Super League teams enter into action on February 17 and 18 and they comprise Rockfort United, Santos FC, Brown’s Town FC, Central Kingston, Molynes United, who will play Real Mona, Maxfield Park, and Rae Town, who battle Pembroke Hall.
Backing up the title sponsor are associate sponsors AVIS Rent A Car, Metrodade Protection Security, and Knutsford Express — the latter two being first timers. Also returning is associate sponsor Soccer Xpress, with each of the four contributing $1 million towards the budget, said the KSAFA boss.
Other sponsors are Peak Bottling through its Pure Water brand, valued at $1.4m, and CPR Medical Services, valued at $1.5m.
Western Sports has chipped in with $500,000.
Quarter-final, semi-final, and final matches will be broadcast live on TV and radio through RJR Communications Group and KLAS FM ESPN Radio.
The premier league teams will get their fixtures under way in round three.
