The 2010 season of the ISSA-Pepsi- Digicel Manning and daCosta Cup schoolboy football competitions was launched yesterday morning amid great fanfare at the Terra Nova Hotel in New Kingston.
Forty-two Corporate Area teams will contest the Manning Cup competition, including defending champions St George's College, while St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) will be among the 74 teams that are down to compete in the daCosta Cup competition, which is contested by teams from rural Jamaica and the western city, Montego Bay.
STETHS will open their account on September 11 against Lacovia, while St James will play Spot Valley in the opening game of a double-header at Jarrett Park.
Manning Cup champions St George's will tackle St Jago in the competition's opening game.
President of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), Dr Walton Small, referred to the Manning and daCosta Cup as the most prestigious football competitions in the island and implored all the stakeholders to protect their image and legacy.
Competition protected
"It is important that the various stakeholders understand that the prestige of the competition must be protected," said Small, in reference to a string of controversial issues that dogged the competition last season.
"Last year, some unfortunate situations occurred that threatened the competition. ISSA wants to put on record the fact that everything will be done to protect the competition. Swift action will be taken against any of the stakeholders who threaten the smooth running of the competition," Small noted.
Extended partnership
Telecommunications company Digicel extended its partnership with the competition, and also presented 14 blackberry smartphone devices to the ISSA officials. Digicel will also hand over eight netbooks, four CPU modems and a number of wireless internet USB devices to the organisers.
Donovan White, head of marketing, Digticel, underlined his company's commitment to the development of local sports and was happy with their continued relationship with the local football product.
"Digicel's relationship with football started with the Reggae Boyz and has grown to include the Digicel Premier League and the schoolboy football programme," said White. "We know that our customers love football and so we want to do everything we can to bring the beautiful game to as many fans as possible and to promote football at all levels."
Pepsi's general manager, Andrew Reid, commended ISSA on its work over the years and believes strongly that involvement in sports is a key element in shaping character.
"ISSA is to be commended for its continued excellence in the administration and organisation of the competition. We encourage all players to strive for excellence in the pursuit of their goals, both on and off the field," Reid stated.
He added: "Pepsi's unwavering support of this annual competition stems from the firm belief that participation in sports helps to shape today's youth. The young players will learn valuable life skills while gaining health benefits and improved self-esteem."
This year's Manning Cup winners will receive $175,000, courtesy of Pepsi, which will also pay out $75,000 to the daCosta Cup runners-up. Digicel has committed $175,000 to the winning school in the daCosta Cup and another $75,000 to the second-place team in the Manning Cup.
The associate sponsors are Locker Room Sports, KFC and Scotiabank, whose Monique Todd, vice-president marketing, public and corporate, handed over a sponsorship cheque valued at more than $5 million.