KINGSTON, Jamaica – After a break of more than two years from football due to the COVID-19 pandemic, senior football returns for the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) clubs.

The rebranded Championship League, formerly known as the Super League, gets going Sunday, while the Major League begins on Wednesday.

Sunday at the UWI/Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence, many time champions Barbican FC will come up against their great rivals Browns Town FC, starting at 4:00pm.

For Christopher James, an executive member of the Barbican FC, the return of football trumps everything else.

“The most important thing is to start the competition. We are a little bit underprepared, but it is very important to get the football going because as you can see, the crime (situation) is getting worse, and football has always been a vehicle to help to stem that flow,” he said.

James is expecting a keen contest from Browns Town who they have met consistently at the business end of the season, for the last half decade.

“It’s always a very tough game. Over the last five years, probably, we have met either in the semifinals or the finals every year in the former Super League, so it’s going to be a good game.”

Peter Grant, president and head coach of Browns Town FC, is equally happy for the return of KSAFA football.

“First and foremost, I am most excited and happy along with the players for the resumption of KSAFA Senior football competitions.

“One of the things is that the players have been sitting out for over two years now, throughout the pandemic.

“Right now, they are ready to go. I have more than two squad of players wanting to play so it’s even difficult for me select a set of players to start this first game, but we are ready, and we can’t wait,” he said excitedly.

With the recent matchups going in the favour of Sunday’s opponents, Grant says that his players can’t wait to turn the tables.

“The players are very ready to play against Barbican because we have met in the finals before. Barbican beat us and they are more excited now just to get back into a situation like that, so they are ready. For the opening game, it couldn’t be a better game,” he suggested.

He also suggested that it is not just the players on the team who are eager for a return of football.

“We have people who come to the field every evening a 4 o’clock just to see what’s happening. Sometimes over 100 youth a sitting to see the training go on, waiting for competition to start.

“The players don’t have anything to do during the day. A lot of them are not working. Some of them have finished school and are not doing anything so they are waiting for something to occupy their time. With football starting back it’s going to be a great help to them.”

Janoi Williams who represents the Liguanea FC says that it has been challenging during the period of no football but has promised that his team will go all the way this year.

“After the break, it was very stressing for the restart of football, but we were there training and training to stay fit and ready for the competition, so we are looking forward to getting all the points we need to win this championship.

“With some of the players gone overseas, we still have a good bunch of players to carry out the job.”

Dave Edwards, Pembroke Hall FC Manager/coach is happy that the long wait for the return of football is finally over. His team will be playing in the Major League and will open their season against Police Nationals.

“We have been waiting for this opportunity for a very long time now and it’s good to know that football in KSAFA is back on track again and we can see the youth in the Corporate Area come out and showcase their talent

“We started training recently. Hopefully when the day comes, we will get there, and we expect to do great against Police Nationals.”

He noted that his players are very young but is hopeful that they can put on a good show this season.

“The team is basically youngsters from high school. Hopefully we will get some good football from the youth this season.”

Pembroke Hall and Police Nationals will meet at the Stadium East Field on Wednesday, starting at 7:30pm.