MUSICIANS Mark “Buju Banton” Myrie, his manager Donovan Germain, Richard “Charlie Chaplin” Bennett, Augustus “Gussie” Clarke, and Lewis “Louie Culture” Brown are to be the honorees at this year’s Bob Marley One Love Football Festival set for February 14.

The 42nd staging of the event is to be held at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, said organiser Clive “Busy” Campbell during a press briefing at the studios of Tuff Gong on Tuesday.

The One Love football festival was organised by Campbell in honour of musical legend Marley who passed away in 1981.

Noting recent utterings that Afrobeat is taking over from reggae, Campbell urged local musicians to step up their game.

“What I do know is that the artistes/producers have to reassess what they are putting out there as music,” Campbell said.

“If you think about all of Bob Marley’s songs you will realise that every single one is relevant in today’s world and is still being sung by persons across the world.”

There will be four teams participating at the festival this year: Entertainers Invitational, Referees Invitational, Christian Ambassadors, and the Masters and Celebrities team.

Rising star Laa Lee has already committed, once again, to being a part of the Entertainers team, which is expected to have Chris Martin and Lutan Fyah among others.

Bob Marley Foundation Manager Alicia Williams thanked Campbell for another edition honouring Bob Marley, reiterating that football is a powerful force that could unite.

“Hence, the foundation has no hesitation in assisting him [Campbell] on this mission,” she said. “We are also looking forward to an entertaining day of competition.

“This project is very special to us because of the long-standing relationship with ‘Busy’ — a baller himself who played for Santos in the 70s with his team member Allan “Skill” Cole, a close friend of Bob Marley.

“Bob said football is freedom, and suggested that he would have pursued a career in football if music didn’t work for him,” she said. “Even after becoming an international music icon, Bob played everywhere, whenever he could.

“He was a prophet, and we continuously watch his prophecies being fulfilled — that’s a testimony of his greatness.

“The Bob Marley Foundation salutes the organisers and looks forward to another enjoyable and successful event that honours Bob’s message, and his mission, and carries out his ideals and tradition that was dear to his heart. One love.”

Admission to the event will be $500, with proceeds going towards a basic school to be identified.