KINGSTON, Jamaica – After a two-year absence due to COVID-19, the David ‘Wagga’ Hunt Memorial Football Classic returned on Saturday.

The game was won by Kingston College (KC) who came from behind to defeat Calabar 3-1.

The classic football match forms part of the fundraising effort for the scholarship initiative, which provides financial aid to boys from Calabar High — where the match was played and where ‘Wagga’ Hunt coached — and KC, the school which Hunt attended as a schoolboy.

The brother of David and one of the chief organizers of the event, Christopher Hunt, was delighted to see the return of the classic to the pre-season schoolboy football calendar.

“I am overjoyed. When I looked in the stands, it was a very well attended game and I am just glad that we are able to have some in-person activity,” he said.

Hunt was pleased by the turnout as supporters from both Calabar and KC were present despite the inclement weather.

“I thought it was a well-played game and I am just glad that people are here to support both schools,” he added.

This year, it was also disclosed that over $2 million will be handed out in the form of scholarships to boys from the two schools.

“If you visit our website davidwaggahunt.org there is a lot of information about the foundation. I am proud to say that this year we are going to be remitting $2.4 million for 24 students, twelve from KC, twelve from Calabar,” Hunt said.

Hunt also discussed intentions to expand the reach of this initiative over time.

“Since the inception in 2009, we continue to grow, and we are going to try and see what other things we can do to expand the programme. I am very excited with what we are doing,” he concluded.

In addition to the money the boys will receive as scholarships both schools were presented with cheques worth US$1000 each. Former player, Alty McKoy, made the donation to Calabar while the Hunt family made the presentation to KC.

Additionally, two internet switch boxes were presented to each school to improve internet access and connectivity at both institutions by KC Old Boy, Peter Dyche.

KC striker, Ajani Clarke, who scored the equalizer for his team, was named the MVP of the match. The other goal scorers in the game were, Teyshawn Mattis and Kashiem Harris for KC while Isaac Clarke got the consolation for Calabar.

Both coaches, Raymond Watson of KC, and Andrew Price of Calabar, lauded the efforts of the competition. Watson praised the classic as being a great opportunity to develop youngsters and Price praised the initiative as a good opportunity to develop rivalry and good camaraderie between the two institutions.

Both schools have been drawn in the same group in the Manning Cup and will face each other twice in the preliminary round of the competition.