Michael Bernard (second left), president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, presents the shipping industry's sponsorship cheque to Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, president of the Kingston & St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), for the 2007 Shipping Industry/KSAFA Under-15 Tournament. Also pictured are (from left): Joseph Lowe, director of Maritime and Transport Services Limited, and Michael Tyrell, chief accountant of Seaboard Jamaica Limited.

The local shipping industry, led by the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), has again joined forces with the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) in support of this year's Under-15 competition for the Winston Chung-Fah Trophy.

Michael Bernard, president of the SAJ and representative of Jamaica Fruit & Shipping, two of the major sponsors, noted that "last year's tournament turned out to be a great success and so the shipping fraternity is pleased to renew our sponsorship to the tune of $500,000 that will cover: prize monies, referee fees, administrative costs and trophies and awards."

At a function held at the offices of the SAJ in Newport West on Friday, May 11, KSAFA President Ambassador Stewart Stephenson thanked the sponsors from the local shipping industry on behalf of the 24 participating Under-15 teams in Kingston and St. Andrew.

Trevor Riley, SAJ general manager, in presenting his cheque to Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, noted that his organisation has a proud history of support for local football and other sports.

Also speaking at the launch was Michael Tyrell, of Seaboard Jamaica Limited, who noted that his company saw their sponsorship as a worthwhile investment in the youth of the Corporate Area.

Sponsors of the tournament are: the Shipping Association of Jamaica, Seaboard Jamaica Limited, Jamaica Fruit & Shipping, Kingston Wharves Limited, Maritime & Transport Services Ltd. and Port Contractors Limited.

The winners of the Shipping Industry/KSAFA Under-15 Tournament will receive the trophy named for Winston Chung-Fah, who has dedicated his life to the development of local football. The competition ends in July with the winning team claiming the Winston Chung-Fah Trophy and $80,000 in first-prize money.

In his remarks, Joseph Lowe, group operations manager of Maritime & Transport Services, stated that his company's sponsorship was based on the belief that sport is a useful means of inculcating discipline, teamwork and positive self-esteem among Jamaican youth.