Charles Johnston (left), chairman of Jamaica Fruit and Shipping Limited, and football coaching legend Winston Chung Fah take a moment to read a paragraph from the History of the Shipping Association of Jamaica. The two were at the launch of the shipping industry-sponsored KSAFA Under-15 football competition for the Winston Chung Fah trophy last Monday. - contributed

President of the Shipping Association of Jamaica (SAJ), Michael Bernard, has expressed concern about the 'win-at-all- cost' attitude that he believes has taken over the society.

He was speaking at the launch of the shipping industry-sponsored Kingston and St Andrew Football Associations (KSAFA) Under-15 competition being played for the Winston Chung Fah trophy. Bernard stressed that such an attitude "scorns gentlemanly conduct, good manners and respect for rules and healthy habit".

"Despite what you may have been told, the truth is that the ends do not justify the means. How you play the game is most important. When you show respect for the rules, for your opponents and for the spectators, you are also showing respect for yourself," Bernard said.

Pit of indiscipline

"Don't allow yourself to be dragged into the pit of indiscipline, violence and bad words. We only need to look around us to see where that sort of lifestyle has put so many people whom we know," the SAJ president continued.

To this end, he notes that the shipping industry is committed to the worthwhile programme of sport and character development for our youth.

In spite of his concerns, Bernard says he does feel a sense of hope when he attends the Under-15 matches and observes discipline and teamwork among young players. This, he says, augurs well for the future of Jamaica's football.

Chief executive officer of Seaboard Jamaica, Corah-Ann Robertson-Sylvester, said that as corporate entities, part of their duty to society is to promote and facilitate the development and morale of our people.

Athletic potential

"There isn't a better way to do that than to nurture the athletic potential of our adolescent males," Robertson-Sylvester said. Seaboard is one of the companies joining the SAJ to sponsor the tournament.

The shipping industry began its sponsorship of the KSAFA Under-15 football competition in 2004. This is its fourth season of sponsorship. Sponsors from the industry are Seaboard Freight and Shipping Jamaica Limited, Jamaica Fruit and Shipping, Kingston Wharves Limited, Maritime and Transport and Port Contractors.