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• 'Wagga' Hunt Football Classic set for Saturday at UWI Mona bowl

  The 2024 edition of the David “Wagga” Hunt Football Classic is set to kick off this Saturday, August 17, at the UWI Mona Bowl, promising an afternoon of thrilling football action and a celebration of legacy. The event, now in its 14th year, will feature three highly anticipated matchups that highlight the enduring impact of David "Wagga" Hunt on Jamaican football and his commitment to youth development.

   The day’s activities will begin at 2:00 PM with a clash between the UWI Pelicans and St. Georges Masters, setting the stage for what promises to be an action-packed event. Following this, the home team August Town, representing the Super League, will face off against Premier League giants Harbour View. The excitement will reach its peak with the feature match at 4:30 PM, as Kingston College takes on their long-time rivals, Calabar High School, in a preseason classic that is sure to ignite the competitive spirit of both teams.

  

   The David "Wagga" Hunt Football Classic is more than just a series of football matches; it is a tribute to the late David “Wagga” Hunt, a revered figure in Jamaican football. Hunt, an alumnus of Kingston College, is best remembered for his transformative work at Calabar High School, where he revived the football program and led the team to its first Manning Cup and Olivier Shield titles in 28 years in 2005. His mantra, “We can be rivals, not enemies,” exemplified the sportsmanship and unity he championed throughout his career. Since his untimely passing in 2007, the Classic has served as a platform to preserve his legacy and continue his mission of empowering youth through sport.

   The Football Classic is a crucial event for the David “Wagga” Hunt Foundation, which was established in 2008 by Hunt’s family and friends to support needy students from Kingston College and Calabar High School. The Foundation’s scholarship program, which began in 2009, awards two grade eight students from each school with a scholarship valued at J$150,000.00 annually, covering books, lunch, and other related expenses through to grade 13. Over the years, the Foundation has awarded 46 scholarships totaling J$22.4 million, along with an additional J$4 million in direct support to the schools. Each scholarship recipient also receives a computer to aid in their studies. Selection criteria for the scholarships include financial need, academic performance, participation in sports or extracurricular activities, attendance, deportment, and discipline, ensuring that the recipients embody the values that Hunt held dear.

  

   The Football Classic is part of a trio of events organized by the David “Wagga” Hunt Foundation each year, alongside the prestigious Red Carpet Fundraising Ball in Washington, D.C., and the Annual Scholarship Awards ceremony in Jamaica. Christopher Hunt, David’s brother, spearheads the Foundation’s efforts from Washington, leading the Diaspora team behind the Red Carpet Ball. Meanwhile, the Jamaica Organizing Team, led by Co‐Chair Arnold “Dullo” McDonald, oversees the Football Classic and the Scholarship Awards Ceremony, ensuring the smooth execution of these significant events.

  Corporate sponsorship has played a vital role in sustaining the David “Wagga” Hunt Foundation’s mission, with Victoria Mutual being a steadfast supporter since the Foundation’s inception. Other key sponsors include Supreme Ventures Limited, Proven Wealth Management, Grace Foods USA, and the Gibson McCook Relays Committee, along with numerous other corporate and individual donors who contribute to the ongoing funding of the scholarships.

  As the 2024 David “Wagga” Hunt Football Classic approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a day filled with competitive football, camaraderie, and a reaffirmation of the values that David Hunt championed throughout his life. The event not only honors his legacy but also continues to provide critical support to the next generation of Jamaican students, ensuring that Hunt’s impact on the lives of young people endures for years to come.

   

   

   

• Ten Hag looking to take Community Shield positives into Premier League opener

  Erik ten Hag wants his Manchester United squad to use their Community Shield loss to Manchester City as motivation against Fulham in Friday's Premier League opener. 

  Ten Hag's team almost started the season with another trophy, but fell to defeat in a penalty shootout at Wembley after Alejandro Garnacho's strike had given them the lead.

  Bernardo Silva levelled late on for Pep Guardiola's City side, with Manuel Akanji scoring the decisive spot-kick after Jonny Evans' miss from 12 yards. 

  “We are disappointed," Ten Hag said. "We have to feel the pain and everyone feels the pain. That's a good signal, but I also see some positives.

  “We performed well, we could've won that game, we were twice leading in the game and in the penalties, but we lost, and we're disappointed. But we take the positives.”

  The Red Devils have since bolstered their defensive ranks, with Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui joining from Bayern Munich, but they will be without the injured Luke Shaw. 

  It was confirmed on Tuesday that the full-back will miss the start of the season after sustaining a calf injury in pre-season training. 

  For Fulham, they will be hopeful of maintaining their impressive opening day form, having lost their first Premier League match in just two of their last nine seasons (four wins, three draws). 

  Marco Silva's tenure has featured a promotion and two comfortable campaigns in the top flight, and they have regenerated their squad in the transfer window after losing star midfielder Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich.

  Emile Smith Rowe and Ryan Sessegnon's arrivals have improved their forward line, and they will be confident of starting the season strongly at Old Trafford. 

  The Cottagers prevailed on their last visit to M16, winning 2-1 back in February, but captain Tom Cairney acknowledged a stern challenge awaits them.

  “For the quality of their squad, you could argue they’ve been a little bit hit and miss,” Cairney said. “It was amazing for them to win the trophy at the end of last season.

  “If they’re on, if they’re firing on all cylinders, it’s a tough night for us.

  "They’ve got quality throughout the squad, Champions League winners, but Marco will definitely gear us up to go there and try and win."

  PLAYERS TO WATCH

  Manchester United - Bruno Fernandes

  In the absence of Rasmus Hojlund, United will look towards the attacking talents of captain Bruno Fernandes to provide that creative spark in the final third. 

  Fernandes finished as the Red Devils' joint-top scorer in the Premier League last season with 10 goals in 35 appearances, while also creating more chances in the division than any other player (114). 

  The United captain has scored four times against Fulham in his seven games against them in all competitions, only scoring more against Everton (five), Leeds (six) and Aston Villa (seven) of the English sides he has faced. 

  Fulham - Emile Smith Rowe

  All eyes will be on Fulham new boy Smith Rowe following his £34million switch from Arsenal, with the possibility of joining a select few players should he find the target. 

  Smith Rowe scored on his only Premier League start against United at Old Trafford in a 3-2 defeat during his time with Arsenal in December 2021. 

  Only Darren Bent (Fulham and Tottenham), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Tottenham) and Frank Lampard (Chelsea and West Ham) have scored away against the Red Devils with two different London clubs in the Premier League. 

  MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

  United have lost just four of their 34 Premier League meetings with Fulham (24 wins, six draws), but one of those came in their most recent encounter back in February.

  Ten Hag's side have struggled versus sides from the capital, losing their last three home games against teams from London. Should Fulham emerge victorious, it will be the first time since a run of five between December 1985 and September 1986 that United have lost four consecutive games against London clubs. 

  But the Red Devils start their campaign in front of their home supporters for the eighth season in a row, becoming the first in Premier League history to start a season with a home game in eight seasons consecutively.

  Fulham, however, will be out to cause an upset. They won two of their final three Premier League away games last season (one draw), as many as they managed in their first 16 on the road in 2023-24 (five draws, nine defeats).

  Following their victory in Manchester in February, Fulham are looking to win on consecutive league visits to United for the first time. They’ve faced them at Old Trafford in their opening league match three times previously, losing all three (0-1 in 1950-51, 2-3 in 2001-02 and 1-5 in 2006-07).

  And there is no better man to lead them out than Silva, who is unbeaten in his last nine opening day matches (three wins, six draws), with his last such defeat coming in the Primeira Liga with Estoril in 2012-13 (1-2 v Olhanense).

  OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

  Manchester United - 58.5%

  Draw - 20.9%

  Fulham - 20.6%

• 'We all know that' - Fonseca confirms AC Milan interest in Fofana

  AC Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca has confirmed that Youssouf Fofana is the club's primary target this transfer window.

  Since taking over the Rossoneri last month, the 51-year-old has made three signings, welcoming Alvaro Morata, Strahinja Pavlovic and Emerson Royal to the club. However, they have yet to bring in a midfielder.

  Milan have reportedly been in talks with Monaco as they aim to come to an agreement for the Frenchman, who has impressed since joining them in 2020.

  He played 32 games in Ligue 1 last season, creating the second-most chances (40) among midfielders while also completing the most passes (1444).

  And when asked about Milan's transfer plans in midfield, Fonseca gave a very succinct answer: "It's Fofana, we all know that."

  Fonseca is also keen to keep hold of returning talent, with Alexis Saelemaekers back after a successful loan spell at Bologna last season as he helped them secure Champions League football.

  He scored in their final pre-season game against Monza on Tuesday, and his head coach was pleased with his performance.

  "He can play well in different roles. He works hard defensively, and he can do important things up front," Fonseca said. "I really like him, and I hope he stays."

  Meanwhile, Rafael Leao had a mixed season for Milan last year as he only scored nine goals, his lowest tally for three years, but provided nine assists.

  Often pulled up for not being willing to track back for his defensive duties, Leao has been backed by his new boss to show a different side when the new season gets underway. 

  "He seems more open to playing for the team. We work well together and always chat," Fonseca added. "I don't know if he will be better or worse than last season, but surely he'll be a different player."