KINGSTON, Jamaica — The draw for the returning Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Champions Cup will take place live during half-time of Thursday televised schoolboy football fixture at Drax Hall, with the quarter-finals scheduled for November 21, semi-finals on November 28 and the grand final on December 5.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) confirmed the arrangements in a release signed by Competitions Officer Ewan Scott Thursday.

The Champions Cup brings together leading teams from the urban Walker Cup and rural Ben Francis Cup knockout competitions as they hint at national glory.

The announcement comes as both the Manning Cup and daCosta Cup competitions approach the conclusion of their Round of 16 stages, with teams fighting to secure quarter-final places before turning their attention to the all island competition.

With the Round of 16 matches expected to conclude next weekend, the successful teams will have little time to regroup before the Champions Cup quarter-finals on November 21.

The semi-finals follow a week later, leaving the finalists to prepare for the December 5 showdown.

The tournament’s return adds another demanding assignment to the schoolboy football calendar, requiring the qualified teams to balance their respective competitions.

ISSA said the reinstatement reflects its commitment to raising competitive standards and providing elite inter-secondary football for student-athletes and supporters.

Thursday’s draw will provide the first indication of the quarter-final clashes as the countdown to the Champions Cup’s return gathers momentum.

— Howard Walker