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Million-dollar BOOM El Clasico to kick-start new JPL season

Published:Thursday | July 7, 2022 | 12:09 AM
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Waterhouse’s Keithy Simpson (left) and teammate Jahvon James celebrate.
Ricardo Makyn
Waterhouse’s Keithy Simpson (left) and teammate Jahvon James celebrate.
Arnett Gardens goalscorer Luca Kong (right) runs away from his teammates after scoring in a Jamaica Premier League match.
Lennox Aldred
Arnett Gardens goalscorer Luca Kong (right) runs away from his teammates after scoring in a Jamaica Premier League match.
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PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL Jamaica Ltd (PFJL) promises a booming start to the 2022-23 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season as powerhouse rivals Waterhouse and Arnett Gardens will clash in an event dubbed the ‘BOOM El Clasico’.

The BOOM El Clasico will pit the JPL giants over two jam-packed legs of football slated for October 10 and 17 at the Waterhouse stadium and at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.

Before the colossal clashes, there will be a game including celebrities as a nod to the communities that have produced some musical giants over the decades.

Arnett Gardens and Waterhouse’s longstanding rivalry attracts the largest spectator following in local football.

Title sponsors BOOM Energy Drink have sweetened the pot with a winner-takes-all prize payout of $1 million.

Brand Manager Keteisha McHugh looks forward to welcoming fans. “BOOM has taken the market by storm, becoming the number-one energy drink in Jamaica. We are the life of any party, so we look forward to bringing our usual high energy to match the excitement of Waterhouse and Arnett Gardens in October. Come October 17, we will find out who ‘Badda dan’, so come mek we BOOM it up!”

“Football is booming in Jamaica,” said PFJL chairman Chris Williams. “BOOM has joined with the PFJL in continuing the tremendous growth of professional football in Jamaica. BOOM will be answering the question we all have. Who is better, Arnett or Waterhouse? We expect a massive turnout, great football, and loads of excitement from this intense rivalry,” he said.

The Jamaica Premier League 2021-22 season culminated last Sunday, with newly crowned champions Harbour View getting the better of Dunbeholden 6-5 on penalties to secure their fifth Premier League title.