Former schoolboy football stalwart Alinton Frankson (left) in discussion with Digicel's Chief Marketing Officer Tari Lovell during the ISSA Schoolboy Football launch last Wednesday.
contributed
Alinton Frankson’s name was once synonymous with grit and determination on the football field, but he now faces his toughest battle yet—not against an opposing team, but against a severe medical condition that threatens his quality of life.
The former schoolboy football standout, who represented Paul Bogle High and Excelsior High with distinction in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) schoolboy football competitions and later played in the SportsMax Elite League, is in dire need of Complex Lymphoedema Therapy (CLT) following an injury that has left him with complications requiring urgent treatment.
Lymphoedema, a condition characterized by severe swelling due to fluid retention, has taken a toll on Frankson, limiting his mobility and causing immense discomfort. The treatment he needs, CLT, is a highly specialized form of care that requires significant financial resources—resources that are beyond the reach of the former athlete and his family.
But Frankson’s story is not just one of adversity, it is also one of hope and community. The now 24-year-old’s plight has touched the hearts of many, leading to a remarkable outpouring of support from several major Jamaican corporations and influential figures in the sports community.
In a show of solidarity, Digicel and Wisynco, two of Jamaica’s leading brands, committed $300,000 each for Frankson’s treatment, while KFC committed a generous $500,000 through their Add Hope program, and a well-known figure in Jamaican football, Craig Butler, pledged another $800,000. ISSA has also hosted a silent auction to raise funds for the cause.
ISSA President Keith Wellington (second right) greets Alinton Frankson as Cari-Med Group's Brand Manager Stephen Reid (right) and Tynielle Chambers look on.
Frankson, who was initially reluctant to make his situation public, is now overwhelmed by the tremendous outpouring of support, which provides a much-needed boost in his efforts to secure the treatment.
“I'm really grateful, especially knowing that I don't have that strong family support. At first, I didn't want to take it to the media, but I realized that I had no choice but to do so because I wasn't getting the help that is needed, so I am happy that I did. I want to say thanks to each and everyone who have come forward to provide support, and I will make the most of it,” Frankson told SportsMax.Tv.
Since being diagnosed with the condition, Frankson revealed that he has endured bouts of depressive episodes, but he continues to draw strength from the fact that recovery is very much possible and, as such, he refuses to be defeated.
“To be honest, some of the times when I see football playing, my emotions set in, and there are times when I feel depressed knowing that I don't have the chance to play the game that I love so much. But at the same time, I have to try to encourage myself, knowing that it's not the end of the world and I still have life and there is still hope. So I just keep a positive mind and just try not to stress or think about the situation,” Frankson, who was present at this year’s ISSA schoolboy football launch at Stadium East, shared.
“So, even though the foot at this moment is swollen and sometimes there is a little stiffness and discomfort, my spirit has been lifted even more now knowing that so many people are behind me and knowing that I am supposed to do some therapy session in Jamaica sometime soon. So again, I am really grateful and just looking ahead with a positive attitude,” he added as he fought back tears.
KFC's Brand Manager Andrei Roper
For Digicel’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tari Lovell, Frankson’s situation presents another opportunity for Jamaicans to once again showcase the power and strength found in unity.
“As a Jamaican brand, we thought it would only be fit that we make a donation towards Alinton's surgery and towards the complex needs that are required for his diagnosis. It's important as a corporate business and Jamaican brand to give back to Jamaica. We are all about nation-building, and, of course, the youth athletes are the future of Jamaica, so it would be remiss of us not to be a part of this and not to put our money where our mouth is. So we're really excited to be able to donate to this phenomenal cause, and I encourage all Jamaicans to rally behind this,” Lovell said.
KFC’s brand manager, Andrei Roper, said it was a no-brainer that his organisation stepped up, especially given that their Add Hope program is a charitable initiative aimed at supporting community causes and, by extension, to positively impact individuals facing life-altering challenges.
“Alinton’s plight is a serious one. We know the potential that he has both on and off the field, and so we wanted to do our part through our KFC Add Hope program to ensure that he gets the surgery he needs,” Roper said.
“Separate and apart from feeding programs, we also have extended our Add Hope program to focus on education and culture. In this instance, a young man with a bright future is at risk of having that future cut short, and we wanted to, along with the other sponsors, play our part through this additional donation of $500,000 to complement our $15 million investment in this year’s schoolboy football,” he explained.
Mona High's head coach Craig Butler (left) with Clarendon College counterpart Lenworth 'Teacha' Hyde.
Butler, who was deeply moved by Frankson’s situation, pointed out that his contribution is not just financial but one that represents a message to the entire sports community about the importance of rallying behind one of their own in times of need.
“I have beaten cancer, and I'm also now not well, so I know what it feels like to be in a tough situation, and to see a young man in that position, I want him to know that he should fight. I want him to know that people love him and believe in him. Many times God puts us in positions where we are successful, but we forget the reason why, which is to lead the way and help others,” Butler reasoned.
“When I heard his story, I was moved, I thought of Dujuan Richards, who did a minor surgery, but it could have easily been a career-ending surgery. So, I want to help this young man to start to believe again, to fight again, because no matter what the diagnosis is, God heals, and we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,” the Phoenix Academy boss and coach of reigning Manning Cup champions Mona High noted.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Man City's Masterplan: Citizens domination since Oasis' last performance
Liam and Noel Gallagher have finally settled their differences to reunite Oasis next year, though their allegiances towards Manchester City have never altered.
Manchester's great duo are, after years of wait, heading back to England's biggest stages, with the news announced on Tuesday to confirm their comeback as definitely, not maybe.
Having last played at V Festival in late August 2009, the pair split just before their beloved City fired to centre stage, rising from the third tier to dominate the Premier League since the brothers' ill-tempered farewell.
With eight Premier League titles, one Champions League crown, three FA Cup wins and six EFL Cup successes, City have transformed their fortunes since Oasis' split.
Here, we unpick the data behind City's success, watching rivals Manchester United Slide Away from the top spot for the city's bragging rights since the Gallaghers parted ways on August 22, 2009.
Champion Supernova
City have lifted eight Premier League titles since Oasis' final performance, winning a massive 1,252 points across that period – 152 more than nearest challengers Liverpool in the same timeframe.
That points tally is also 163 more than neighbours United, with Supersonic City's 385 top-flight wins (219 at home, 166 away) in the aforementioned span far greater than second-placed Liverpool's 322.
The four-in-a-row champions have also managed 1,306 goals, a total that Liverpool (1,112), Arsenal (1,074), Chelsea (1,044) and Man Utd (1,008) can get nowhere near.
Pep's Masterplan
Pep Guardiola may be the only man in Manchester able to rival the Gallagher's fame, with the City boss leading his side to unprecedented heights since his arrival in England eight years ago.
In the same Oasis-less period, Guardiola's 227 Premier League wins are the most of any City manager, ahead of Roberto Mancini (82), Manuel Pellegrini (70), Mark Hughes (five) and caretaker Brian Kidd (one).
That dominance owes to the fact Guardiola is the longest-serving City boss of the span, though his winning percentage of 74% is once again greater than nearest rivals, Mancini (62%) and Pellegrini (61%).
Stop Crying Your Heart Out, Newcastle
Some Might Say no team can keep up with City in the Premier League, but Newcastle United are the side to have struggled most with the Oasis-stricken blues.
Man City have defeated Newcastle 22 times in the Premier League since that fateful last Oasis performance in 2009, suggesting the Magpies are at least Half The World Away from the Citizens' quality.
As Newcastle's hopes of a rare win over City appear to have faded away Little by Little, West Ham have also lost 21 games in that period against the Manchester club, with Villa third on 18 defeats.
Whatever the other teams have struggled with, Middlesbrough – now in the Championship – have suffered no such issues, remaining as the only Premier League side to have not lost against City in the period (two draws in two matches).
Gundowall
Ilkay Gundogan was, at least in jest, said to have played a part in Oasis' reunion after the same Gallagher brothers attempted to lure the Germany midfielder back to the Etihad Stadium.
His 44 goals for City in the period without Oasis rank him 11th on the list of Premier League scorers for the club, which is headed by Argentina's Rock 'N' Roll Star Sergio Aguero, on 184.
The striker's tally is more than double his nearest competitor, Raheem Sterling (91), who makes up the top five with Kevin De Bruyne (69), Erling Haaland (67) and Yaya Toure (62).
As for appearances, former midfielder David Silva answered City's call the most to Stand by Me, racking up 309 league appearances – ahead of Aguero, who is just behind on 275.
Galatasaray crash out of Champions League as Young Boys progress
Galatasaray were sent crashing out of Champions League qualification after Young Boys' 1-0 away win secured a 2-0 aggregate victory on Tuesday.
Carrying over a slender advantage from the first leg in Switzerland, Young Boys confirmed their passage to the new-look 36-team competition with the play-off success.
Alan Virginius scored the only goal in the 87th minute before Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was sent off for kicking out at the Young Boys substitute as he celebrated.
RB Salzburg are also set for their sixth straight appearance in Europe's top club competition after a 1-1 draw at home to Dynamo Kyiv wrapped up the tie 3-1 on aggregate.
Adam Daghim struck after just 12 minutes for the hosts before Vladyslav Vanat equalised for Kyiv, who were unable to overturn a 2-0 deficit from their first leg at home.
Sparta Prague were the other side to make it through Tuesday's qualifying, thanks to a 2-0 win over Swedish side Malmo that completed a 4-0 triumph on aggregate for the Czech champions.
Anders Christiansen missed a first-half penalty for Malmo before a late spot-kick from Lukas Haraslin and a goal for Albion Rrahmani sealed progression.
Wednesday will see four more sides fight for a place in the Champions League group stage.
Rayo Vallecano 1-2 Barcelona: Olmo's late debut heroics snatch comeback win
Barcelona debutant Dani Olmo struck a late winner to steal a 2-1 comeback victory at Rayo Vallecano on Tuesday, as the LaLiga leaders continued their perfect start to the season with a third consecutive win.
Rayo dominated proceedings in the first half and took the lead with a strike by Unai Lopez in the ninth minute, but Barca were livelier after the break, with Pedri levelling from a counter-attack in the 60th minute.
Olmo, introduced as a substitute for his first outing since leaving RB Leipzig, scored the winner with a curling strike in the 82nd minute, snatching Barca a deserved win to maintain their momentum.
Barcelona top the standings on nine points from three games, two ahead of second-placed Villarreal, while Rayo are eighth on four points.
Data Debrief: Olmo impresses on maiden bow
Olmo is the first player to score on his debut for Barcelona in LaLiga away from home since Sandro Ramirez in August 2014 against Villarreal.
Yet a familiar face paved the way for the leveller, too, with Raphinha setting up Pedri for his 17th assist in 67 LaLiga outings.
Since his arrival at Barca in the 2022-23 campaign, only Antoine Griezmann (24) has provided more assists than the Brazilian in the competition (also 17 for Alex Baena).
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