Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:

The 2009 St James Football Association (StJFA) Captain's Bakery & Grill Knockout football competition, which started on Thursday with Mount Salem clipping Violet Kickers 1-0 in a special elimination game, will be sponsored this season to the tune of $500,000 - an increase of $200,000.

Speaking at the official launch of the 16-team competition in Montego Bay, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss Captain Horace Burrell, who is also the CEO of The Captain's Bakery, said that despite the harsh economic climate, he felt a compelling need to assist in the drive to help rebuild St James' football.

"St James" football is facing a serious challenge at this time and, as the head of the JFF I am very concerned," Captain Burrell said. "The football has fallen below an acceptable standard and a collective effort is needed to turn around the current situation."

St James FA president, George Evans, urged Burrell to ignore those who are ascribing ulterior motives to his sponsorship of seven parish associations and two confederations.

"Without The Captain's Bakery and Grill's sponsorship some parish associations would be out of business," said Evans, noting that some businesses are using the hard times as an excuse not to support sports.

Turnaround possible

While bemoaning the fact that some of the stalwarts who used to assist the parish's football are no longer able to, Captain Burrell said a turnaround is still possible but certain crucial requirements are needed. Some of the issues he advanced include the following:

Assistance from the business community in St James and across Jamaica; re-engaging the hotel sector in the development of the region's football; unity among all stakeholders involved in western football; hands-on involvement of the members of parliament in St James in developing programmes to assist football.

Promising excitement

This year's competition, which promises to be very exciting, will see preliminary first-round action starting on Monday. A game will be played over the next eight consecutive weekdays to decide the eight quarter-finalists.

Following the playing of the quarter-finals and semi-finals, the finals will be played Monday, December 21.

The eventual champion will take home the Captain's Bakery Trophy, over $100,000 in prize money and earn qualification to the 2009-10 Flow All-Island KO competition.