WESTERN BUREAU:
WITH ENTRIES now closed and the 12 competing teams decided, the money transfer market is buzzing with excitement as teams seek to fill their roster for the 2003 FX Traders Western Masters Football League, slated to kick off on Saturday, March 27.
"We are now tying up some last-minute details with the sponsors, with a view of holding a press conference to launch the competition," said Bryan Miller, the chairman of the competition's steering committee. "Most of the teams are now busy recruiting players and fine-tuning their preparation."
The 12 competing teams, divided into two zones of six teams each, are as follows:
Zone A Hanover Masters, Nampel, Seaview FC, Falmouth Masters, Invaders, Infernal and Cambridge.
Zone B Glendevon, Reno FC, Paradise, Sandy Bay, Violet Tourers, Seba United and Mt. Salem.
"I am extremely pleased that all four western parishes (Trelawny, St. James, Hanover and West-moreland) are represented as we really want to keep the total western Jamaica flavour," said Miller. "My one disappointment is that former champions Hornets, who also had the distinction of being national champions at one time, will not be competing this year."
While the full fixture has not yet been completed, the two games for the competition's opening double-header, which will take place at Jarrett Park, have been decided. In the 3:00 p.m. curtain-raiser, Violet Tourers will oppose Paradise in a Zone A game, while in the 5:00 p.m. feature, champions Hanover Masters will battle Invaders in a Zone B game.
The competition, which will be played on a round-robin format, will see the top two teams from each zone advancing to a four-team semi-final round. The two zone winners will play off with the runner-up from the opposing zone to decide the two finalists. In addition to the Steve Bucknor Trophy, the symbol of supremacy in the competition, the champion team will be awarded gold medals. The beaten finalist will take home silver medals, while the winner of the play-off for third place will be awarded bronze medals.
