KINGSTON, Jamaica—The ISSA Champions Cup will kick off on January 20th and end on the 31st, Observer Online has been reliably informed.

The start of the competition was pushed back from last year due to the passage of Hurricane Melissa, which devastated parts of western Jamaica and interrupted the schoolboys’ football competition.

The organisers had announced earlier last year that the competition would be increased with the addition of the finalists from the Ben Francis and Walker Cup competitions, who would play in the first round from January 20-21.

Ben Francis Cup champions Clarendon College and runners up Cornwall College, as well as Walker Cup champions St Catherine High and Mona High, will be drawn against the losing semi-finalists from the Manning Cup and daCosta Cup competitions for the first round.

The winners will then advance to the second round to be played on January 23 and 24. The semi-finals will then be played the following week, with the final set for Saturday, January 31.

Glenmuir High, a finalist in the daCosta Cup and who will draw a bye in the first round are the two-time defending champion of the Champions Cup.

-Paul A Reid