Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer

LUCEA, Hanover:

THE THIRD Lloyd H. Stewart-sponsored Steve 'Shorty' Malcolm/Denton Melwood Samuels football tournament will kick off today at the Lords football field in Lucea.

Sixteen teams will participate in this year's tournament, which will be held for three weeks in a knock-out format.

In today's opening doubleheader, defending champions Prosper of Lucea will face Break Heart of Chambers Pen. That game will be followed by a match-up between HQ Football Club of Johnson Town and Cross Road of Millers Drive.

Other participating teams include the Lucea Police Department, Lucea Fire Department Central, Kew, Brissett, Church Street, Malcolm Heights, Fire Department Johnson Town, Haughton Gardens, Esher, Rock River and Chambers Pen.

In the final, set for December 23, teams will be vying for the championship trophy named in the two deceased men's honour, as well as the championship prize of $50,000. The runners-up will receive $20,000. There will also be other prizes for the leading goalscorer, most disciplined team, and the Most Valuable Player.

The competition was first staged in 2005 in memory of the former Rusea's and national footballer Malcolm and Samuels, also a former Rusea's and national Under-23 player. It is being sponsored to the tune of £4,500 by Hanoverian expatriate Lloyd 'Bagga' Stewart, who grew up in the community of Johnson Town before migrating to England.

Schoolboy championship

The competition will be followed by the Hanover High Schools' Challenge Cup set to commence on December 29 with the final scheduled for January 2.

Defending champions Rusea's, Green Island, Knockalva and Merlene Ottey will vie for the Hanover High Schools' Challenge Cup and the $50,000 prize.

Stewart told The Gleaner he was excited about the knockout tournament but more so by the schoolboy championship.

"I am looking forward to enjoying the high schools' tournament because I did not get to see the daCosta Cup games," Stewart said.