KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica is set to host the first-ever All Jamaica Gridiron Bowl which will be held at Ashenheim Stadium, Jamaica College on Saturday, showcasing the nation’s top gridiron football talent in front of NCAA coaches and international professional recruiters.

The event will be staged by the National Tackle Football Association (NTFA) and is described as “A Game-Changing Initiative for Athletes, Economy & Tourism,” according to a release.

Jerome Harriott, NTFA founder was quoted in the release as saying, “Jamaica has dominated track and field, now we’re conquering gridiron football. The NTFA will create jobs, scholarships, and global opportunities for our youth while putting Jamaica on the gridiron map.”

The initiative that started on Tuesday with full contact training session at UWI Mona Bowl, Kingston and had a full contact evaluation session at Brooks Park, Mandeville on Thursday, will see the game set to start at 5:30pm after Friday’s Team Blue and Grey draft at Jamaica College auditorium.

The All-Jamaica Gridiron Bowl according to the organisers, will “Create Gridiron Football Pathways: Develop athletes for the NFL-IPP, Canadian Football League, and NCAA scholarships-opening doors to US$25,000–US$500,000+ annual earnings; boost sports tourism: Target 10,000–15,000 visitors annually through football events, combining sport with Jamaica’s vibrant culture” as well as “empower youth: offer scholarships, financial literacy programs, and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities for Jamaican student-athletes.”

–          Paul Reid