OFFICIALS from St Thomas Football Association have expressed gratitude following a $2.6-million sponsorship gesture from McKay Security Limited towards the staging of their Under-17 football competition, while echoing calls for greater support for grass root football and youth development across the island.

In addition to monetary backing, McKay Security, which has also thrown its support behind the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association’s (KSAFA) Under-17 competition, has provided kits and other gear to each participating club.

Twelve teams, including defending champions Danvers Pen, will contest the St Thomas Under-17 league that started on February 15 and will run until April 12, and which will see the playing of 36 preliminary round matches.

Lascelles Logan, president of St Thomas FA, while speaking at a launch event at KLAS Sports FM 89 on Tuesday, welcomed the support from McKay Security and pleaded for more help from corporate Jamaica.

“We would like to thank McKay Security for this decision to support the St Thomas Football Association with this much-needed injection towards the development of players through our Under-17 competition. We have heard many times that football is big business but the capital funds needed is not readily available to support the game — and this is where McKay Security must be commended,” said Logan

“We would like other companies to partner with us. This is important, as the St Thomas FA applies a business approach to the administration of the sport in the parish, which is poised to attract major investment,” he added.

Jason McKay, CEO of McKay Security, underlined his commitment to the development of football at the youth level, noting that focus in this area will encourage growth at the senior level. McKay also shared that he was encouraged to sponsor the competition by Region 3 Chairman and KSAFA President Mark Bennett, adding that his company’s upcoming entry into the parish as security providers for KFC also played a role in the decision to support the league.

“We picked the Under-17 programme because that is what we are pushing — youth development for football. We also looked at a few of their better players and realised that they have some good people and it’s a good parish to be involved with,” said McKay.

“There are two world championships in the world where Jamaica is expected to dominate — not just do well, to dominate — and if they don’t, then there is a problem. That is the ISKA World Kickboxing Championships and the World Athletics Championships where Jamaica is expected to dominate the sprint events. That is because both martial arts and track and field have very strong youth programmes — from primary straight into high school — and there is a lot of money spent because of corporate interest and national interest and that’s why we dominate in those sports. We do very well in netball and we do well in other sports, but those are the only two that we dominate on the world stage.

“With football, there’s no reason with the amount of people who play the sport in Jamaica and the amount of talent available that we shouldn’t be more successful; the problem is the absence of youth development. It’s not because the football associations don’t want to do it, there’s just not enough funding for it. The associations are struggling for sponsorship,” McKay reasoned.

His sentiments were shared by Bennett.

“I see it as a huge thing. St Catherine and KSAFA are normally the ones with a strong youth programme so with the support from McKay Security, all three parish associations will have youth competitions. This ensures that there is regular competitions for youngsters in the parishes, and with World Cup football coming every year now, there is an opportunity for every youngster in the parishes to be a part of the national programme,” Bennett said.

“We can spend a tonne load of money on our premier league but the product will not be sustainable without real investment at this level … but, really and truly, not many companies invest at this level, and for McKay to do that, we want you to understand the significance of this investment and appreciate the work of the parish associations who are operating on a shoestring budget,” Bennett added.

General secretary of St Thomas FA, Samantha Jackson thanked the teams for their efforts and highlighted the expected impact of the competition.

This year we have a total of 12 teams and we want to express our gratitude for their commitment and their holistic contribution to the personal development of our youth and the overall development of football in the parish of St Thomas. Football is a game of passion, skill, strategy, dedication, perseverance and, most importantly, teamwork. The St Thomas Football Association aims to promote the values of football and inspire a new generation of players and supporters and as such, we are of the view that the sport has the capability to transform lives, build communities, and promote social responsibility,” said Jackson.