Baker pleased with new preseason tourney

FOLLOWING THE conclusion of the three-day Clarendon Football competition, which saw seven high schools in action, Anthony Baker, the driving force behind the tournament, was elated after what he considers a successful first staging. Glenmuir came out on top with a 2-0 win over Vere Technical.

“I am really happy about the competition, as I am very passionate about it – I was born and raised in Clarendon. I’m really happy with the support from the fans over the three days, especially on Sunday’s final day, and we are looking forward to next year,” he said.

A past student of Glenmuir and Denbigh High, Baker, who is also the owner of AJR Sporting Goods in the United States, stated that next year’s competition will be bigger.

“Next year we are looking to make it much bigger and better, as we will be inviting 16 teams, at least one from each parish,” he shared.

“I am really elated to know that I was able to see so many smiles on the faces of these boys – they were really happy playing in the competition, and that pleased me most of all,” said Baker.

He also thanked those who helped him make the tournament a success.

“I could not have done it by myself, and I would like to thank Keithy Simpson and Ruel Rawlins, who both helped me in the entire planning and execution of the tournament,” he said.

In attendance on Sunday’s final day of competition were president of the Jamaica Football Federation, Michael Ricketts; president of the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA), Keith Wellington; and new technical advisor to the Reggae Boyz, Rudolph Speid.