Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter

RED STRIPE Light Marketing Manager Carlo Redwood announced his company would be spending $1 million on this year's Jamaica Football Federation (JFF)-sanctioned Beach Futbol competition.

The announcement came at the competition's launch, which took place at Prendy's on the Beach in the heart of New Kingston, where the draw for the teams was also announced.

The competition is scheduled to kick off on July 16 and will run for six weeks.

The 18 teams involved in the competition will be awarded $25,000 for their participation, while the first-place prize is $200,000.

Second-place winner will earn half of that amount, while $50,000 will be awarded to the other semi-finalists.

Redwood indicated that the support the newly-organised sport had received over the past two years had all but forced Red Stripe Light to ensure that it continued to not just sponsor, but improve sponsorship of the now annual event.

JFF president, Crenston Boxhill, was also on hand to give his support and said that the competition and its potential for growth tied in well with FIFA PResident Sepp Blatter's plans for the sport.

GAMES SCHEDULE

Six games will take place on the first day of the tournament.

In the first, the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) champions Waterhouse will take on the champions they dethroned, Portmore United, while Maverley Hughenden and St. George's clash in the second.

Newcomers to the Premier League, Naggo Head, will face their first premiership opposition this season - Arnett Gardens - while Tivoli Gardens and Harbour View renew their rivalry ahead of the NPL season.

Seba United and Village will face each other in the fifth game, while Constant Spring, who were ousted from the NPL last season, go up against an ever-improving Boys' Town.

The visiting team will be a Brazilian all-star one featuring Careca, who top-scored for Brazil in the 1986 World Cup and played until he was injured in the 1990 World Cup in Italy.

The visiting Brazilians will also have Magal who, while unknown to most Jamaicans, is one of the most skilful players to grace the game - winning seven Beach World Cups and two most valuable player titles.

Also competing in the event are Rivoli, Wadadah, Clark's Town, Star Cosmos, Bath Sports Club and Tafari Lions.