Portmore United, KFA to battle in Elite Cup final
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The second edition of the KFC U18 Elite Cup will be decided today at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex when Portmore United take to the field to take on Kingston Football Academy (KFA) in the grand final at 5 p.m.
In the first match of the double header, last season’s champions Mount Pleasant Football Academy will face Harbour View in the third-place play-off at 3 p.m.
Portmore booked their spot in the final after a 2-1 win over Mount Pleasant in the semi-finals while KFA defeated Harbour View 6-5 on penalties after playing out an entertaining 4-4 draw in regulation time.
The Elite Cup final is expected to draw much excitement as Jamaica’s next generation battle for supremacy on the field.
Eric Rademakers, the organiser of the Elite Cup, said the competition provides a great platform for young players to develop their talent in a competitive environment.
He said it is important for clubs to encourage stability and growth in their young players through regular games against quality opposition.
“The value of the KFC Elite Cup is that it gives our best young players regular, high-level games against teams that are taking youth development seriously,” Rademakers said.
“From the organisers to the participating clubs, there has been a real effort to create the right environment for these players. That kind of consistency is important,” he continued.
"Players need to be challenged often, in good environments and against strong opposition, if we want to help them grow.”
Andrei Roper, marketing manager of the competition's title sponsors KFC, said they are proud sponsors of the Elite Cup for the opportunities it provides for young players.
Several of Jamaica’s youth internationals have come to call the competition home, and Roper hopes the Elite Cup can open the door for many of Jamaica’s young footballers.
“Football continues to be one of the strongest avenues for discipline, confidence and opportunity among young people, and the KFC Elite Cup gives some of Jamaica’s best young players the consistent, competitive setting they need to grow,” Roper said.
“That is why this competition matters to us. It allows these players to challenge themselves, sharpen their talent and be seen in an environment that can help open the door to bigger opportunities. KFC Jamaica is proud to support a competition that is helping to make that possible.”
EXTRA SPECIAL
For Rademakers, the final is more than just seeing a second successful staging of the competition, but it is a chance for his club to lift the coveted title.
Rademakers is the co-founder of the KFA and said it is a ‘proud moment’ to see his players in the final after falling at the semi-final stage last year.
“Seeing Kingston Football Academy reach the final this year is a proud moment for everyone involved with the club,” Rademakers said.
“After losing in the semi-finals last year, the players have shown great maturity, discipline and determination throughout this season. Reaching the final reflects the hard work they have put in both on and off the field, and it is another important step in their development.”