Stephenson

Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter

Reggae Boy Khari Stephenson will be going back to his roots when he plays in a benefit game at Wolmer's Boys' School today.

The game, the second of the day, is part of the Wolmer's Football Festival, which is in its second year under that name but has been a time-honoured tradition among past students.

In the first game of the day, which begins at 1:00 p.m., a Wolmer's under-16 team will be taking on a team consisting of teachers.

According to Khalil Stephenson, brother of Khari and a key figure in implementing the festival in previous years, the first game goes a long way towards fostering understanding and trust between students and teachers.

The second game, which will feature Khari, former All-Manning and Constant Spring player, Carlington 'Puppy Dog' Clarke, along with former national representatives, Keith Kelly, Alex Thomas and Paul Prendergast, is geared towards aiding the mentorship programme recently started by the school's old boys' association.

Helping students

"The game is supposed to show our young footballers that the sky is the limit. They will see that when they play against people from similar circumstances as themselves, who have done well," said Khalil.

Wolmer's Old Boys' Association chairman, Ryan Chung, said that the festival has been very influential in impacting on the school's at-risk population.

"We have started a mentorship programme for at-risk students which is doing very well but fund-raising will help it do even better," said Chung, while asking all old boys and anybody in the mood for good football to support the cause.

The fund-raising drive is also to earn money for other programmes the old boys' association has. The cover charge of $100 for students and $200 for adults should go a long way in that regard.

The second game involving Khari and his former national colleagues is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.