Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steve Blackett and his Permanent Secretary, Janet Phillips, drawing names to allocate the 30 teams in their zones for the 2016 competition.
THE David Thompson Memorial Constituency Councils Football Classic is back again for 2016. Despite the turbulent economic climate, the Ministry of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development are digging deep to ensure that local footballers and small enterprise owners, who usually stand a chance to benefit, have an opportunity to earn some of the monies generated by the annual tournament.
Now in its fifth year, the tournament, which was launched yesterday ahead of its September 18th start, will run for the next three months, as the 30 teams duke it out. Speaking during yesterday’s media event at the Warrens Office Complex, Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steve Blackett, highlighted the fact that the competition had found its way into the hearts of the local communities, as it provided social and economic stimulation for many.
He went on to say that although times were tough, it would be a tragedy to give the tournament a miss, especially this year.
“Each year, the tournament commemorates the outstanding commitment of the late Prime Minister, the Honourable David Thompson, to football at the community level. It is seen as a means of social inclusion and social mobility and my ministry is whole-heartedly committed to ensuring that this tournament remains on the national calendar, especially this year as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our nation.
“While we might not be able to engage in the flair, pomp and pageantry that we would typically wish to see in this jubilee year, it is a testament to our commitment to the community and youth development, that this tournament is being organised and being played,” he said.
Going on to say that the bare necessities were being engaged for this year’s tournament, Minister Blackett added that administration and operations costs, as well as prize monies, inclusive of the $30 000 purse for the winners, would be coming from a grant of $400 000 from the Arts and Sports Promotion Fund, managed by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.
With the only major change this year being the switch of venue of the opening ceremony, signature features, such as the mandatory inclusion of four Under-20 players in each squad, will remain in place.
According to Tournament Co-ordinator, Mark Forde, this initiative has paid dividends in aiding to develop young players, and as such, the next step would be to turn the entire tournament to an Under-30 affair, ensuring that the up-and-coming players would be given their due opportunity to perform at one of the highest local levels.
With all 30 teams already selected and in training, the other 29 will be gunning to defeat last year’s champions, Christ Church East-Central. Minister Blackett and his Permanent Secretary, Janet Phillips, conducted the zone draw yesterday, and when the action kicks off on September 18th, with the parade of teams at 4:00 p.m., the defending champions will be playing their first Zone 2 fixture against St. Michael North-West at 6:00 p.m., while St. John are slated to take on St. Michael South-Central at 8:00 p.m. in a Zone 5 match-up.
The final of the 2016 competition is set for December 11th at Kensington Oval. (MP)
Zone 1: St. Michael North, Christ Church South, St. Philip North, St. James North, St. Philip West
Zone 2: St. Michael East, Christ Church East-Central, St. George North, St. Michael North-West, St. Peter
Zone 3: St. Michael Central, St. Michael West, St. George South, St. Michael North-East, St. Michael West-Central
Zone 4: St. Michael South-East, St. Lucy, Christ Church East, St. Philip South, Christ Church West-Central
Zone 5: St. Michael South-Central, St. Michael South, St. John, St. James South, St. Andrew
Zone 6: St. Joseph, St. Thomas, City of Bridgetown, St. James Central, Christ Church West