Anthony Minott, Freelance writer
The Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Business House Five-A-Side football competition received a major boost on Saturday with sponsorship money totalling $1.1 million dollars.
This was announced by Wayne Shaw, president of the league, at the National Water Commission (NWC) playing field at Mona, St Andrew, following the traditional dress parade and opening match.
The league now has three sponsors as Tank-Weld Metals, in its fourth year, is joined by the Wisynco Group with its energy drink, Ciclon, being the drink of the competition as co-sponsor; and Locker Room Sports as associate sponsor with its Nike ball being the ball of the competition.
Weekly prizes
The association will receive $1.1 million in cash and the sponsorship will also include weekly prizes for players and spectators.
Outgoing KSAFA president, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson, was the guest speaker and he noted the importance of five-a-side football. He was presented with a gift from Shaw for his exemplary service to the sport.
Sixty-three teams will be participating in this season's competition with 11 in division one and 52 in four zones in division two. A total of $400,000 will be used for trophies and prize money. The prize money breakdown is as follows: Division One winner will receive $60,000.00, runners-up $30,000.00, third place $15,000.00 and fourth place $10,000.00. Division Two winner will receive $40,000.00, second $20,000.00, third $12,000.00 and fourth $8,000.00. The Knockout winner will receive $30,000.00 and runners-up $15,000.00. All leading goalscorers and most valuable players will receive $3,000.00 for each competition.
The dress parade was won by Thank God It's Friday (TGIF), second were Geon Homes and third place went to Courts Jamaica.
Opening match
In the opening match of the season, defending Division One champion Tank-Weld Metals defeated promoted 2007 Division Two winners, Jamaica Broilers 1-0. Carlos Wright scored the lone goal in the 4th minute.
The competition continues today with seven matches. Guardsman play Bank of Jamaica, Western Sports tackle Bureau of Standards, Cable Pro Data Services meet Newline Motors, Marksman play RBTT, Tyre Warehouse meet Seprod Ltd, National Continental Baking play Country Farmhouse Soya Products and FCIB play Geddes Refrigeration. All matches will be played at the NWC field, starting at 6 p.m. and 6:50 p.m.
