BRAZILIAN Rene Simões, former head coach the Reggae Boyz, is set return to the island but this time for the 2023 Porus Football Festival which will take place at the Porus Community Centre in Porus, Manchester, from June 4 to July 16.

The football tournament, brainchild of former Jamaica Football Federation President Crenston Boxhill and businessman Karam Persad, began seven years ago.

It was Simões who led the Reggae Boyz to their first and only appearance, to date, in the FIFA World Cup (1998) in France.

The Porus Football Festival this year celebrates the 25th anniversary of Jamaica qualifying for the World Cup.

“Qualifying for the World in 1998 was a pivotal moment, not only for Jamaica’s football but for the country on a whole so we thought it prudent to celebrate this moment of glory 25 years on as we stage another edition of the Porus Football Festival.

“And, what better person to share this anniversary moment than Rene Simões. He will be here and participating in the festival in the final stages of the competition,” Persad said.

As to the festival itself, Persad said its growth and popularity are nothing short of phenomenal.

“As with the festival itself, it has become the premier activity on the Porus calendar of events and, indeed, for many of the communities surrounding Porus.

“This year 16 teams will be participating in the festival, with Venom FC being the defending champions. The winners of the tournament will receive $250,000 and the runners-up $150,000,” Persad added.

Other members of the groundbreaking 1998 Reggae Boyz squad will also be honoured at the festival.

Matches in the Porus Football Festival will be played on Thursdays and Sundays, with the first match having a kick-off of 7:00 pm.