Paula Pinnock-McLeod (right), sponsorship manager Digicel, addresses the gathering during the official launch of the 2008 ISSA/Pepsi/ Digicel Schoolboy Football competition at the Terra Nova Hotel yesterday. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)

Despite the threat of Tropical Storm Gustav, the 2008 ISSA/Pepsi/ Digicel Schoolboy Football competition was officially launched at the Terra Nova Hotel yesterday.

A small entourage consisting of organisers and sponsors took the gamble and turned up on a very overcast day, a sign of their stern commitment to the island's premier high school football competition.

Approximately 121 schools are down to compete in this year's 58th edition of the all-island event, starting with a triple-header at Jarrett Park, Montego Bay on September 13.

Matches to be played on the opening day of competition are Cornwall College versus St James High in Zone A, defending daCosta Cup champions, Garvey Maceo High against Kemps Hill High in Zone I and Jamaica College, the reigning Manning Cup champions, playing Jonathan Grant High.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) received the second instalment of a $35.8-million three-year deal from its title sponsors and associate sponsors, Restaurants of the Jamaica Ltd (KFC), Scotiabank Jamaica Ltd and CVM Television.

For the first time in its history the launch was broadcast live across the country by CVM, the exclusive TV provider.
Due to the impending storm the launch was brief with sponsors echoing their traditional full support for the most exciting football contest among high schools, while chief organisers, ISSA made the customary appeal for "fair play" to team supporters and players.

"It is my duty as president of ISSA to appeal to the general public to abide by the decisions of the officials and do not bring the games into disrepute," said Dr Walton Small, president of ISSA. "If there are concerns, please use the grievance procedures that are in place and trust the system to balance justice and fair play."

CVM's Ronnie Sutherland, vice-president of sales and marketing, announced that two live matches, a Manning Cup and a daCosta Cup, will be televised weekly.

In addition, Sutherland said "a number of related features in prime time" will be aired once per week. Last year's popular feature, "The All-rounder" which focuses on players who are academically sound, will continue to show this season alongside a programme looking at past players.

The format of both rural and corporate area competitions remain the same with Zone L of the daCosta Cup consisting of 11 teams.

This group has been split into two based on geographical locations with the top four entering a semi-final to determine the two automatic qualifiers.

Five new schools will be making their debut in the daCosta Cup. Green Pond High, Spot Valley High, Hopewell High, Holland High and Buff Bay High are all first-time entrants, while making a return are Cross Keys High, Edwin Allen High and Robert Lightbourne High.

There are no new entrants for Manning Cup. However, Haile Selassie High, Trench Town High, Meadowbrook High and Donald Quarrie High are noticeably absent from this year's urban area competition.