All-Star tournament hones in on young talent

A STRONG cadre of Jamaica’s young footballers is scheduled to participate in the inaugural staging of an All-Star 2024 Football Tournament, set for Sunday, February 25 at the Constant Spring Football Field in St Andrew.

The star-studded teams will include standout players from the Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Preparatory and Primary School’s League and the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Under-14 Football Competition.

According to tournament director, Leighton Davis, the concept of the competition is similar to that of the National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Weekend, in which the best players from the league are chosen and compete against each other.

“The main objective is to create a platform for rising talent in youth football in Jamaica to be showcased and promoted,” Davis said.

The selection process, he said, included discussions with the coaches from different teams, that advanced to the quarterfinals of each competition. “We also reserved the right to choose players that stood out from other teams that did not make the quarterfinals but we saw the potential in them as rising stars. Twenty-two players will be selected per team,” Davis said.

The competition will take the format of two games being played with an All-Star selection competing from the preparatory and primary school levels squaring off against each other.

At the under-14 level, the teams will consist of schools grouped north and south of Kingston and St Andrew. They will compete against each other.

“For example, players from Jamaica College will be teammates with players from Calabar and Hillel Academy, while Wolmer’s Boys will be paired with players from Kingston College and St George’s College,” Davis said.

The winners of the two playoffs will receive a trophy that will remain with the respective team’s coaches for one year.

“We want to promote fun, family and togetherness. A sense of unity, that players who would normally be rivals can form bonds and create friendships that will last a lifetime. Some of these same players will one day play together on the national team for Jamaica or elsewhere,” Davis said.

Competition director, Haron Martin, said the competition will showcase the best youth talents during the tournament, making it an exciting and entertaining showpiece for the spectators.

“This tournament is to highlight and reward players who have done well throughout the season. These types of games will help players develop and improve because they are playing against the best of the best,” Martin said.

Meanwhile, hydration sponsors MDS Limited, through their sport aid brand ‘Splurt’, said hydration is a necessary ingredient for recovery, optimal performance, and by extension, ultimate success in sport.

“We believe in investing in our youth, imparting world-standard best practices and equipping them with the tools to reap life-changing rewards. These tenets are commensurate with the values and desired influence of the sport brand,” said Kurt Boothe, Chief Executive Officer at MDS Limited.

The event’s main sponsor is Project 2 Project Consultancy; while 876 Stream is the social media sponsor.

Gates open at 1 p.m. with games being played at 2:30 p.m. and 4 p.m.