Sport

Primary football kicks off Friday

file - Ian Andrews

CHAMPIONS DUNROBIN WILL face New Providence as the 2005 Institute of Sports (INSPORT)-/Milo/Art&Fabric/Tastee Primary Schools football competition gets underway on Friday at the Waterhouse Mini Stadium at Drews Avenue, starting at 12:30 p.m.

The opening ceremony begins at 10:00 a.m. with the first game of the double-header between last year's beaten finalists St. Benedict's going up against Rollington Town after the conclusion of the opening parade at 11:00 a.m

Official launch

Meanwhile, the competition had its official launching at a press conference held at the Alhambra Inn yesterday where Ian Andrews, administrative director of INSPORTS was the guest speaker.

Andrews told the gathering of coaches, players and teachers that he was very pleased with the number of schools that will be participating in this year's competition.

He pointed out that, "Football is the world's most popular sport as everyone wants to play Football and here in Jamaica we are no different.

The INSPORT director mentioned Brazil's Ronaldo who started out playing scrimmage football on the street as a youngster as he was not from a wealthy family.

"He could not go to training because he had no money and so he worked so that he could attend training weekly. Ronaldo was robbed by a gang while going to training and his wrist watch stolen. However, he did not give up and from there on he played for the Brazilian Under-17 team and at 17 the National Senior team, Andrew said.

Andrews wished the schools the best of luck.

"You all cannot win but enjoy your game and follow the instructions of your coaches and the decisions of the referees," he said.
The other speakers were GlenMills ­ National Sports Coordinator of INSPORT and Mark McKnight ­ President of the Kingston and St. Andrew Primary Schools Sports Association.

Meanwhile, the schools and their respective zones are:

ZONE 1:Defending champions Dunrobin, New Providence, St. Francis, St. Aloysius, Hope Valley Experi-mental and St. Martin de Porres.

ZONE 2 :Last year's runners-up St. Benedict's, Rollington Town, Elletson, St. Jude's, North Street and St. Peter Claver.

ZONE 3 : Iris Gelley, St. Patrick's, Frankly Town, Mountain View, Drews Avenue and Dupont.

ZONE 4 : Holy Family, Duhaney Park, Jones Town, St. Richards and Grove.

ZONE 5: Excelsior, Half -Way Tree, St. Andrew, Mona, St. Alban's and Lawrence Tavern.

ZONE 6: Pembroke Hall, Clan Carthy, George Headley, Chetolah Park and Content Gap.

ZONE 7 : Rousseau, Tavares Gardens, Balmagie, Denham Town, Jessie Ripoll and Mount Fletcher.

ZONE 8 :August Town, Holy Rosary, St. Anne's, Trench Town, Harbour View and Seaview Gardens.