Robert Bailey, Freelance Writer

The extensive delay of the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) Under-15 league final has served as a 'demotivating factor' to the only team certain to play in the championship game, Harbour View Football Club (HVFC).

The final should have been played more than a month ago between Harbour View and Waterhouse but was postponed.

Meadhaven United, who were defeated by Waterhouse in the semi-finals, have lodged a protest against their opponents for using an ineligible player.

The matter has since been referred to the KSAFA appeal board which is yet to make a final decision.

Twiddling thumbs

In the meantime, Harbour View are practically 'twiddling their thumbs' and the club's general manager, Clyde Jureidini, says it has become a mental drag.

"It (the delay) wouldn't have affected us too much apart from the ongoing preparation," Jureidini revealed in a recent interview with The Gleaner. "But it really has affected the team mentally more than anything else.

"We have been prepared and haven't been in good nick to win the competition, having to sit and wait so long," he said.

Asked if the delay was putting additional financial strain on the club, he revealed it was not much.

"It's not a great financial output for our Under-15 team, but it's really a demotivating factor for these youngsters to sit around and not know what to expect," he explained.

Jureidini added that Harbour View had done nothing wrong but were being made to wait to contest the final.

Final announcement

Meanwhile Stewart Stephenson, president of KSAFA, said the appeals committee will hold a meeting today, following which a final announcement will be made.

"The board will be holding a meeting today and so I am expecting that a final decision will be made. Then we will inform the teams of our decision and then hope-fully the finals will be played no later than this Saturday," said Stephenson.

He added: "A number of these Under-15 players are either young enough to play Under-13 or old enough to play Under-17, so they are not idle. In fact, most of the players in these clubs are either playing in the Under-13 or the Under-17 competitions."

When contacted about the matter, David Hunt, president and coach of Meadhaven United, would only say his club is awaiting the decision from KSAFA.

Efforts were also made to get a response from the Waterhouse Football Club. Its president, Peter Hibbert, referred The Gleaner to the club's general secretary, Felix Porter.

All calls made to his mobile phone were directed straight to voicemail and a message, requesting for a call to be returned, up to press time yesterday, had not yielded any success.