CLIVE “Busy” Campbell, chief organiser of the Bell-Ziadie Memorial Football Festival, has expressed his gratitude for the love and support he received at this year’s event, which was held at Winchester Park on Monday.

This year’s exhibition matches featured the usual match-ups involving Masters and Celebrities, Entertainers, St George’s College Old Boys, Christian Ambassadors, and Referees.

The annual event is staged in honour Winthorpe “Jackie” Bell and Dennis Ziadie, two of Jamaica’s most influential football figures, who died in a bus crash while attending the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Campbell told the Jamaica Observer that he was grateful for the support for the event as all proceeds will go directly to two basic schools in east Kingston.

“I am happy for the support because a number persons turned out to watch the games and so it was a fun-filled day for us,” he said.

“I am feeling good about this event and I must give thanks to the Creator for having me continue with these games. And these games will always be playing once I am well and alive because these two persons were [two great] coaches and players and so I just want to keep their memories alive,” Campbell said.

He added: “This event is all about raising funds for the two basic schools — to help them to get computers and printers — and so I must give thanks for all the contributions that we have received for the event.”

Former Reggae Girlz Head Coach Lorne Donaldson, who was one of the honorees, said he was happy for the recognition.

“There are a lot of great people out here that can be honoured, and to be looked at and to be honoured with the Bell-Ziadie is great for me,” said Donaldson.

“When I left Jamaica for the United States, Bell was my last coach and so it’s an honour to see his wife Lorna Bell here. And I must say thanks to Clive ‘Busy’ Campbell because the last 38 years he has been putting this thing together and I think that he needs to be more than honoured,” he said.

Donaldson recently guided the senior Reggae Girlz to a historic second-round appearance at the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

He was honoured alongside former national player Calvin “Webber” Stewart, former national and St George’s College star; Cornell “Granny” Marshall, the father of retired Reggae Boy Tyrone Marshall; and Othneil “Dolphy” Gordon, the curator at Jamaica College.