Support youth development
Bennett calls for support as KSAFA U17 competition draws close
President of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Mark Bennett is making an urgent appeal to corporate Jamaica for sponsorship to help administer this year’s staging of the association’s Under-17 competition.
Bennett says this year’s tournament, which is considered to be one of the most exciting youth championships in Jamaica, is scheduled to get underway in February. It has attracted 31 teams, and according to Bennett, if they are able to secure the required sponsorship, they plan to expand it from one round of matches to two this year.
“We are looking for sponsors for this competition because we already have two sponsors on board, but we still have some way to go in terms of covering all the costs of staging the competition,” Bennett said. “We currently have Locker Room and McKay Security on board.
“This year, we are hoping for two rounds for the teams within the zone, and so the cost will increase. Hence, we are hoping to secure more sponsorship for the competition,” Bennett added.
He highlighted that the overall cost of staging this year’s competition is $5 million and while they have managed to secure some funding, there is still a significant shortfall in their budget.
“This competition plays a very vital role in the country’s football development because it is from these leagues that players transition into the senior competitions within the clubs, as KSAFA currently has six teams competing in the Jamaica Premier League at the moment,” Bennett said.
“This is a competition that fosters that development and it is important for us to have this competition in KSAFA.”
Bennett noted that this is a great opportunity for corporate Jamaica to get on board and support youth football, noting that his association is one of the best-run organisations in the country.
“We have often said that youth football is the way to go in terms of developing our grassroots football, but being here at KSAFA, I have been disappointed with the support that we have gotten over the years from corporate Jamaica. But this is an opportunity for corporate Jamaica to put their money where their mouth is,” he added.
