RAYMOND Anderson, who contested the presidency of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in 2024 but lost to incumbent Michael Ricketts, sat proudly at the head table on Sunday’s launch and kick-off of the McKay Security St Mary FA Division One League, representing the parish as second vice-president to James Pearson.

Anderson, who has served on the JFF board for more than three decades, said he recognised Pearson’s challenges and, “as a St Mary man” who has known Dr Jason McKay for years, moved to help secure support that ultimately revived the competition.

“I have known Jason for a long time. I saw what he was doing in Kingston and St Andrew and St Thomas — a $9.6-million sponsorship of those associations. I rang him up and the rest is history,” Anderson said.

He remained to watch Axum beat Highgate 3-1 and New Era edge Fort George Academy 2-1 in the double-header that opened the league, which had gone three seasons without a sponsor and was in danger of not starting this year.

McKay, whose company contributed $1 million to sponsor the St Mary Division One and also entered a team in the under-17 competition, has since been joined by the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA). JOA President Christopher Samuda was present to announce a referees’ compensation package, including payment of last season’s $235,000 debt.

Samuda, who shared the head table with McKay, Pearson, Anderson and First Vice-President Locksley Henry, said the JOA responded after the association sought assistance.

“This is where it all begins, home-grown talent,” Samuda said. “The JOA is not only about helping nationally but at every level possible.”

McKay said investing in football brings strong returns and serves as a form of social intervention in communities.

“We are trying to unearth good footballers, especially under-17s, in all parishes,” he said. “We want to return to the model that got us to the World Cup in 1998, which is why McKay Security will have a team in the under-17 league.”

Pearson, welcoming the support from McKay Security, the JOA and St Mary Western Member of Parliament Robert Montague, who contributed $500,000, said the league is expected to grow next season.

“We should have had eight teams but ended up with six because of doubts surrounding the league. However, I can assure that next season we will have a full complement of 11, possibly 12. With prize money and sponsorship to play for, they will all return,” he said.