Connection start Toyota Classic defence

The eight teams in the Digicel Pro League, as well as the top eight teams in the Blink/Bmobile National Super League, have been entered in this year’s event, for a jackpot valued at $50,000.

Connection, last year’s runners-up TTEC, Caledonia AIA, Defence Force, St Ann’s Rangers, Police, Central FC and North East Stars are the Pro League teams in the fray while the Super League teams are Defence Force, WASA FC, Westside Superstarzs FC, 1976 FC Phoenix, Stokely Vale, FC Santa Rosa, Joe Public and Siparia Spurs. The tournament draw was made at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo yesterday (TUESDAY) with Connection and Defence Force (Super League) joining St Ann’s Rangers and Super League leaders WASA FC in Group “C” while TTEC are in Group “A”, alongside North East, Joe Public and Siparia.

Caledonia, the current leaders in the Pro League, are in Group “B” with Police, Stokely Vale and Santa Rosa while Group “D’ features Defence Force (Pro League), Central FC, Phoenix and Westside.

The Quarter Finals will be staged on Tuesday, with the Semi-Finals on November 30 and the Final on December 7. There are a number of incentives to the teams and players — the runners-up will collect $20,000 and, in terms of the individual accolades, the Most Valuable Player (overall) is entitled to $1,500, while the Leading Goal Scorer and the Coach of the Tournament will pocket $1,000 apiece.

The feature address at yesterday’s launch was delivered by Pro League’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dexter Skeene, who confessed, “I have never lost my passion, love and enthusiasm for the Toyota Classic and the concept.” Skeene continued, “it is a competition aimed at bringing out the best in the players and coaches of both Leagues. It is therefore a reality that much more is at stake than the trophy and money.