With the addition of two new teams to the 2022-2023 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) set to bring the total to 14, an increase in the number of derby matches is set to be one of the new exciting things to happen this season says Machel Turner, operations manager of the Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL).

Speaking at the launch of the Boom El Classico-Bell/Ziadie Memorial Football Festival at the Football Factory on Tuesday, Turner said that he believes that the additions of team from outside of Kingston and St Andrew will help to bring more excitement to the new season.

“There will be a lot more derby matches. Three teams from Clarendon, there are now two Mobay teams, three north coast teams, so there is a lot more rivalry that’s going to be going on [and] jockeying for positions and stuff like that,” he noted.

There has been significant activity in the transfer market in the off-season and Turner believes that some teams will be stronger as a result.

“We have seen some of the teams strengthening their rosters, players moving from one club to another, and that dynamic [may] impact their success going towards the season,” he said.

Turner believes that both the clubs and the PFJL will be improved entities as the premier league product itself improves.

“We are looking forward to excitement, looking forward to the players improving on last season, playing at a higher level and I am looking forward to ourselves organising at a higher level and raising the bar for football in Jamaica.”

The return of relegation and promotion at the end of the season is likely to add another element to the league as well he reasoned.

“It will definitely add some excitement and we are looking forward to spreading out the football as well because we have more teams from out of town, we have more opportunities to go outside of town.”

Fans across the island will also be able to see more regular season games this campaign he disclosed.

“We were able to do it a little bit last season, but this coming season there will be a lot more at the different venues, West Pow Park, Catherine Hall Sports Complex, Effortville Community Centre, Drax Hall, Wembley Centre of Excellence, Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, Stadium East Field, National Stadium, and Sabina Park.”

Chapelton Maroons out of Clarendon and Faulkland FC out of St James are the two teams that have been promoted to the league this season.

The 2022-2023 season will be launched today at the Chillin Restaurant at 5 Holborn Road starting at 6:00 pm.

— Dwayne Richards