Real Mona set sights on KSAFA U17 title
Published:Saturday | May 11, 2024 | 12:10 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
AFTER a six-year absence due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and lack of sponsorship, the 2024 Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Under-17 competition kicks off today with matches in Zones B and D.
Among the title aspirants are Real Mona who are drawn in Zone B alongside the likes of Liguanea, Constant Spring, Barbican, August Town and New Kingston.
According to Ashton Blankson, head coach of Real Mona, his team has a real shot at winning the title.
“With us at Real Mona we don’t enter to lose a tournament. I think we have a very good squad of talented players, who know what to do in and out of possession. I also think we have what it takes to win the league and Real Mona definitely have a chance,” he stated.
According to Blankson, Real Mona might have a slight advantage over their opponents as their preparation phase started five months ago. He added that this KSAFA U17 tournament is another competition that the group needs to showcase their skill set.
“Real Mona and Kingston Football Academy have a partnership, so for us football development is year-round. We don’t prepare for just two months, so our preparation started in January and as the different tournaments and leagues come up, we have our players prepared to participate. So, this is just another tournament that has been provided for us to showcase our talent,” he added.
The tournament will resume with 29 teams participating across four zones – A to D. While he’s more than happy with the resumption of the competition, Blankson questioned the timing of the start which comes in the middle of the high school examinations.
“In the Jamaican landscape you have to be happy but it is a poor starting date. It’s starting in the midst of the CSEC and CAPE examinations but for us as football coaches, while we have an eye on academics for our athletes, we can’t turn down a tournament. We’re happy that it has started and we want to applaud the KSAFA organisation for getting it out and I also would want them to have something more longstanding,” Blankson said.