The KSAFA/ValeoYouth Football Development League got going at the UWI/JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence on Saturday much to the delight of all involved.

KSAFA President Wayne Shaw was delighted that football had returned in his confederation.

“I am very pleased with the turnout and what transpired. The boys were very happy to be playing football again,” he said.

“We had a few glitches but as you know that happens at the start of any competition. We are expecting better in the coming weeks, but I was pleased with the level of football.”

Shaw also thanked the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) for the use of the venue to host the competition which is set to run for 10 weeks.

“I also want to say thanks to the JFF, President Michael Ricketts, Gen Sec (General Secretary) Dalton Wint, and Manager Marvin Walters for the use of the Captain Horace Burrell Centre. The boys really love playing on the Astro turf and it’s a good look. They really, really enjoyed playing on the turf,” he said.

Emilio Williams, president of Valeo Academy and event organiser, was happy with day one and already looking forward to day two.

“I thought it was great. We got to play all our matches. The boys seemed to have a good time. The coaches were really into all the games.

“The games were completed on time and as far as I know there were no major injuries so overall. I thought it was fantastic,” he said,

Games were played at three age-group levels on different sized fields. The Under-13’s played on quarter-sized fields, the Under-15’s played on half fields, while the Under-17 played on full-sized pitches. There were 46 goals scored on the day.

In the Under-13’s Liguanea United/Ballazdefeated Valeo FC Barbican 5-4,Harbour View FC defeated Boys Town FC 2-1, Browns Town thumped New Kingston 6-0, Norbrook Strikers saw off Seaview Gardens 3-0.

In the Under-15, Liguanea beat Valeo FC Barbican 2-0, Norbrook Strikers had their way with Central Kingston in a 6-1 win, while the games between Benders FC and Los Perfectos and Boys Town and Harbour View both ended in 1-1 stalemates.

Three of the four Under-17 games ended in the same score line. Liguanea United/Ballaz beat Valeo FC Barbican, Harbour View had their second victory of the day over Boys Town and Benders Academy clipped Tivoli Gardens FC, all by the same 2-1 margin. In the other match, Browns Town beat LAX Academy 3-1.

It was a very good day for Liguanea United/Ballaz as they enjoyed victories in all three age groups over Valeo FC Barbican, while Browns Town won both of their matches.

Action continues on Saturday at the same venue.