By Paul A. Reid, Staff ReporterWESTERN BUREAU:
THE ST. James Football Association's 2004-05 season is set to get under way on Wednesday with the playing of the first Discount Lumber and Hardware Knockout competition.
The competition was launched on Friday at a press briefing held at the Agua Sol Theme Park on Gloucester Avenue where it was announced that the new competition, which will replace the Alwill Construction Knockout, will be sponsored to the tune of $250,000.
Eighteen teams will take part in the competition including Wray and Nephew National Premier League outfit Wadadah along with the six Western Confederation Super League teams - Seba United, Tomorrow's People, Mount Salem, Granville, Altobar and Salt Spring.
The other 11 teams, all from the St. James FA Hart Senior League, are Seaview, Catherine Hall, Fogo United, Kings, Melbourne, Champion, Marl Road, Juniors, Broadway, Seba Youths and Montego Bay Boys Club.
The winners of the competition, which is expected to run for six weeks, will represent the parish along with Wadadah in the Jamaica Football Federation's JNBS Federation Cup Knockout.
DOUBLEHEADER
The competition starts with a doubleheader at Jarrett Park featuring the first meeting between archrivals Wadadah and Seba United in the second game after Melbourne and Seba Youths do battle in the opening encounter.
Basil Johnson, managing director of Discount Lumber and Hardware, told the press conference he was "happy to be a part of the St. James FA family" before he presented the first subscription of the sponsorship.
The winners will collect $60,000 plus a trophy and medals while the runners-up get $40,000, third place - $20,000 and fourth place - $10,000.
