Kingston champs to be crowned today

Shayne Fairman, Gleaner Writer

It's D-day for Corporate Area primary and prep schools competing in the Samsung Youth Cup.

Action begins today at 11:00 a.m. at the University of Technology (UTech) football field with the quarter-final match-ups: Quest Prep vs Tavares Primary; defending champions Holy Family Primary vs Lannaman's Prep; McCauley Primary vs Manchioneal Primary; and Mona Prep vs Portsmouth Primary.

Quest Prep, Holy Family Primary, McCauley Primary, and Mona Prep all qualified unbeaten, while Tavares Primary, Lannaman's Prep, Manchioneal Primary, and Portsmouth Primary finished as runner-ups.

Later today, the tourney heads to the semi-final round to be followed by the final.

The last eight

Twenty-eight teams started the urban area competition and it's now down to the last eight.

"This is like the World Youth Cup final for these kids. This is the opportunity that Samsung has given to them," said brand ambassador Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner.

He added that this is the age group Jamaica's football programme needs to start looking at, noting that the Samsung Youth Cup has given the kids hope and encouragement going forward.

All eyes will be undoubtedly fixed on the event to the last whistle to see who will be named not only Kingston's primary or prep school champions, but all- island victors for 2014 and the bragging rights that come with it.

That all-island national final and third-place play-off are scheduled for June 7, where the winners and runners-up from Kingston will play Montego Bay's winners and runners-up for the top three positions.

The winners of the all-island play-off will claim a prize package of $ US$10,000 worth of Samsung products and a trophy.