Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of youth, sports and culture, shares a joke with Ian Andrews (right), administrative director of the Institute of Sports, and Andrew Wright (second left), financial controller, also of the Institute of Sports, while David Mase, chairman of the Social Development Foundation, looks on. - Contributed

The inaugural Institute of Sports (Insports) All-Island Community Football Championship was launched yesterday at the Terra Nova Hotel.

It will cost in the region of $16 million to undertake the islandwide competition. The title for the yet to be finalised sports development policy is 'Sports for All'. This is also the theme for INSPORTS's latest initiative to engage the 816 structured communities across the island in football.

Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange pointed out that the competition is part of the Government's plans to give greater support to community sports.

"Our theme is 'Sports for All' and it is also the title of our forthcoming national sports policy, which will outline our proposal for sports from grass roots to high performance centres for everyone, including those with disabilities," said Grange said.

"Sports for all will outline our development plan for students, communities, sports associations and our plan for development of the sports industries," she added.

Assistance

Grange, who was the guest speaker at the launch, also plans to assist all 60 members of parliament with footballs, netballs and basketballs through INSPORTS.

The function also saw Lloyd 'Respic' Morgan, the former national footballer and cricketer, being recognised for 36 years ongoing service to INSPORTS.

The competition aims to change the lives of more than 14,500 unattached youths between the ages of 16 and 26. The teams will be drawn from over 500 communities, which will compete for the right to be called national community football champions of Jamaica.

The eventual winners will walk away with $500,000, runners-up will pocket $150,000, third $100,000 and fourth $50, 000. In addition, the top teams will receive trophies and there will also be an additional trophy for the most disciplined team.

Preliminary competition will eliminate many of the teams, leading to a 32-strong group which will play in three stages. They will then be placed in eight groups of four and play each other twice, with the top two advancing to the round of 16.

The 16 teams will again be placed into four equally divided groups, from which the top two will advance to the quarter-final knockout. Subsequent knockouts will lead to the championship via the semis and final.