The 13th edition of the David “Wagga” Hunt (DWH) Football Classic is set to take place on Saturday, August 12, 2023, with a much-anticipated triple-header at the UWI Mona Bowl in St Andrew.

The feature game of the afternoon for the “Wagga” Hunt trophy is the annual matchup between the Manning Cup teams of Kingston College (KC) and Calabar High. The game will be preceded by the always competitive masters’ and Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) league face-offs.

In the first game, Shortwood United FC, the 2023 KSAFA Major League semi-finalists, will play champions Jamaica Defence Force in what should be a scintillating game, followed by the masters’ game between Pelicans FC and Kingston Commissioners.

The MVP of the Manning Cup game will be presented with the Paulette C Rhoden trophy. The late Rhoden was the former patron of the event. This year’s patron is Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, a past president of KSAFA.

A special tribute to honour the life of the late Bancroft “Banky” Gordon, who passed away suddenly in July, will be part of the afternoon’s proceedings.

Gordon was a former Excelsior High School footballer who went on to national duties and eventually on scholarship to Howard University where he excelled academically and on the field.

A Harvard-trained lawyer by profession, Gordon was also known as a great humanitarian and passionate mentor to many. A plaque in his honour will be presented to Shortwood United FC for which he was a standout player. His family will be presented with a plaque from the foundation to honour his exemplary life.

The football classic is a commemorative event and fund-raiser put on by the David “Wagga” Hunt Scholarship Foundation which provides scholarships to deserving students at both KC and Calabar.

The event was established in 2009 to honour Hunt’s legacy; a KC alumnus who is credited with reviving the sport at Calabar, coaching them in 2005 to achieve their first Manning Cup title in 28 years and going on to win the coveted Olivier Shield title.

The classic has positively impacted the relationship of two rival schools through the promotion of friendly rivalry and a culture of respect. Hunt’s mantra for the rivalry was, “we can be rivals but not enemies.”

His immeasurable impact spans several sporting disciplines, including track and field. He pioneered the Champs Preview Magazine; an annual publication considered the “local bible” which chronicled the exploits of the hundreds of athletes competing at the annual ISSA High School Boys’ & Girls’ Championships.

“This coming school year, 2023-2024, will mark the 15th year of the DWH Scholarship Foundation and I am extremely pleased with our accomplishments and progress we have made since inception,” said Christopher Hunt, the younger brother of David and co-chair of the Washington, DC-based foundation.

“Selfishly, I would want my brother to be alive; however, I am truly proud of his legacy and the positive impact of his life on our scholarship recipients.”

He disclosed that the annual disbursement per recipient will be increased from $100,000 to $150,000 starting this coming school year, 2023-2024. Additionally, each school will receive a grant of $500,000 towards a project of their choice.

Jamaica-based co-Chair Arnold “Dullo” McDonald and chair of the Organising Committee of the Wagga Hunt Football Classic expressed thanks to the faithful supporters over the years. “We are delighted that we can present the full event after being impacted by COVID over the past three years,” he said.

“We look forward to a wonderful turnout, as we host an entertaining and enjoyable afternoon of football in memory of a great Jamaican and for the worthy cause of supporting our deserving scholarship recipients who strive to better themselves for a successful future.”

Corporate donors that have supported the foundation include VM Group (on board since DWH Foundation’s inception), Supreme Ventures Limited, Proven Wealth, and the Gibson McCook Relay and overseas sponsors, GraceKennedy Foods (USA), Steuart Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and Spencer Financial.

The public is being invited to come out for an afternoon of fun and camaraderie. Contribution is $1,000 for adults and $500 for students with identification.