KSAFA U-17 resumes after six-year absence
The highly anticipated Locker Room Sportssponsored Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Under17 competition kicks off on Saturday with matches in Zone B and D.
President of KSAFA, Mark Bennett, is pleased with the return of the elite age-group competition that has been absent for six years. In addition, he welcomed sponsor Locker Room Sports.
“It is a welcome competition and is something that we have been looking forward to for the longest while. Last year, we were determined to host it, but because of a lack of sponsorship we couldn’t host it,” he explained.
The competition will feature 29 teams split across four zones – A to D. According to Bennett, he was adamant that the competition should resume this year, despite the challenges.
“This year, again, we had problems with sponsorship but thankfully Locker Room Sports came in at the last minute to help us and alleviate some of the burden. We’re extremely grateful for them because without them coming on board it would have been extremely difficult,” he added.
Bennett shared that it was a top priority for KSAFA to resume the league, as the competition over the years has been a feeder programme for the national youth system.
“It’s very important because now the Under-17 World Cup will be played yearly and it’s important the country has a proper youth development programme. For us at KSAFA, it was important that we got it off the ground because more than 60 per cent of the national junior players come through KSAFA,” Bennett stated.