JFF announces more games to finance welfare fund

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts has vowed to stage more matches to earn money to finance the welfare programme, which will benefit past national players.

On Sunday, the first fundraiser at Drax Hall ended prematurely. The second match, between a President's Select XI and a Media Select XI, ended prematurely because of an explosion on an electrical grid close to the ground.

As a result of the blackout, the feature game between the national Under-23 Olympic team and Mount Pleasant All Stars was not played as by the time the power returned, the venue was almost empty.

Ricketts said the signs for developing the event are encouraging.

"This was supposed to be the start, but it was aborted, so we have to reorganise and come again. We have set aside the last Sunday of each year for this event. In the middle of each year, we also want to do something, and our marketing committee will now make a determination as to when we will have the middle-of-year function," he said.

In a release yesterday, the JFF said president Ricketts is adamant that he will be garnering financial support from JFF initiatives and from sponsors for the welfare programme.

Tomorrow, at St Elizabeth Technical the national Under-23 Olympic team will oppose a St Elizabeth FA All Stars team (comprising national team invitees) at 7 p.m.

In a curtain-raiser at 5 p.m., St Bess will face Alligator Pond.

The JFF release said a series of games, to be announced shortly, will see the Under-23 squad going up against quality opponents both at home and abroad as intensive preparations are under way for the first Olympic qualifiers, slated for the first week of March.

The entrance fee for tomorrow's match is $500, and all proceeds will go towards the JFF Past Players Welfare Fund.

UNDER-23 SQUAD: Venton Evans (Portmore United), Daniel Green (Mount Pleasant), Andre Leslie (Waterhouse), Ricardo Dennis (Mount Pleasant), Deshane Beckford (Harbour View), Leonardo Jibbison (Humble Lion), Ray Campbell (Humble Lion), Jamoy Topey (Cavalier), Jeadine White (Cavalier), Alex Marshall (Cavalier), Kaheem Parris (Cavalier), St Michael Edwards (Cavalier), Nicholas Nelson (Cavalier), Ricardo Thomas (Waterhouse), Peter Vassell (Harbour View), Ajeanie Talbot (Harbour View), Tevin Shaw (Tivoli Gardens), Jourdain Fletcher (Montego Bay United), Nazime Matalie-Grant (Montego Bay United), Nicolloyd Dinham (Montego Bay United), Chavany Willis (Portmore United), Lamar Larmond (overseas-based), Israel Perrin (overseas-based).