Andrew Hancel, INSPORTS Media Relations Officer, says the inaugural INSPORTS challenge Cup, which will see eight St Catherine schools competing for a preseason schoolboy football trophy and $100,000, is part of the institute's efforts to develop football and improve the grassroots sports agency's brand image as well.
"Schoolboy football is arguably the biggest football brand in our country and we at INSPORTS see this initiative (Challenge Cup) as a very important step in terms of associating with a product that will undoubtedly boost the INSPORTS brand," he said.
"But apart from that, the state agency has a responsibility to develop and promote sport at the grassroots and this is also one way to assist the football programmes of some of our high schools," he added.
The tournament kicks off today with double-headers at Eltham High School and Chedwin Park, starting at 2.00pm. At Eltham High, Dinthill play Jose Marti in the opening game at 2.00pm. While Eltham entertain Spanish Town High in the second match at 4.00pm.
While at Chedwin Park, St Catherine play Bog Walk in the opener at 2.00pm and Jonathan Grant take on Innswood in the feature match at 4.00pm.
These schools will compete over the next two weeks for the Challenge trophy and $100,000, with $50,000 to go to the second place team, and $30,000 to all the participating teams.
The Challenge Cup pre-season football is tournament geared towards assisting St Catherine high schools to prepare for the upcoming Manning and Dacosta Cup competitions. It is a first of its kind for the Institute of Sports, who wants to expand the number of participating teams throughout the island for the tournament next summer.
"At the end of this, we will do an analysis to determine the best approach next summer. But the participating schools are all excited by the initiative because there's also monetary reward at the end of the day, while the coaches get an opportunity to assess their teams ahead the new season," Hancel added.