JFF’s Anderson gives thumbs up to Lynk Cup
Published:Saturday | April 8, 2023 | 12:45 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Vice president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Raymond Anderson, is excited at the re-emergence of the new national knockout competition, the Lynk Cup, and is hoping it is here to stay for a long time.
Speaking at a media blitz hosted by the tournament organisers at Devon House on Wednesday, Anderson said he wants to see a commitment from all stakeholders as they look to keep this national knockout competition alive.
“The Lynk Cup has been long awaited. We need to ensure that the Lynk Cup is the champion knockout competition that takes us through the next 10 years,” he said.
The national knockout competition incorporates Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Tier II clubs, and is known to ignite passion and excitement among fans.
This type of atmosphere has been missing for almost a decade and Anderson is glad the Lynk Cup is filling that void.
“This space we have for a knockout competition with Premier League teams, Tier II and parish association teams can bring more excitement and supporters to the game.
“The extension of the fixtures is also good. However, the feel good aspect of it is huge and the Lynk Cup will bring more of that, so big time football will be back in the communities.
“So I am pleading to the sponsor to give it at least a five-year try. The JFF will support the PFJL (Professional Football Jamaica Limited) and Lynk to ensure they deliver a good product over that five years,” Anderson said.
Brand and sponsorship manager of sponsor Lynk Jamaica, Kemoi Burke, is hoping the competition truly blossoms into something great, and he believes they have all the necessary support for that.
“It has been years since we had a knockout competition, and they (JFF) have been integral. They invited us to the table and we answered the call,” he said.
INITIAL COMMITMENT
He added that the initial commitment is for three years and they want to build and improve on it each year.
“It is about investing in a Jamaican product. Football is for the fans and what we want to put together a great product fans can enjoy and walk away saying they had a great experience watching the Lynk Cup.”
The competition is now at the quarterfinal stage and matches are scheduled for next Wednesday and Thursday at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
All quarterfinal and semifinal games will be played at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex, while the one-off final will take place at Sabina Park on May 25.
Owen Hill, the PFJL’s chief executive officer, believes that for the competition to have a long shelf life, teams and players must play their part in making it a success.
“If it is top quality I am sure other people will want to come on board. They (Lynk) have entered a three-year partnership and the possibilities for extension are great, once we deliver,” he said.
The winning team will collect $1.6 million, second place $1.4 million, third place $1,050,000 and fourth $800,000.
Fans who pay for entry to games via the Lynk app will have a chance to win $25,000 at each game. Players will also gets $5,000 for each goal scored.