Grace Mighty Malt will serve as the official sponsor of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) Under-14 and Under-16 football competitions.

The competitions, which got under way recently, will also have Catherine’s Peak as the official water sponsor for the competition.

Orrett Wallace, chairman, ISSA Junior Football Competitions, explained that the Under-14 and Under-16 competitions serve as a key opportunity for developing Jamaica’s youth football talent while fostering essential life skills, as the competitions have attracted 93 rural schools and 42 urban schools.

“This tournament is a showcase of young talent from across Jamaica, providing opportunities for athletes to grow both in sport and in life. We are excited to have Grace Mighty Malt on board this year and know that their support will serve to enhance the competitions and provide a greater platform to showcase the athletes’ talents and skills,” Wallace said.

Meanwhile, Kristina Hill, brand manager, beverages, Grace Foods, pointed out that her brand is all about youth development.

“The Grace Mighty Malt brand is synonymous with youth and sport-led initiatives; we believe in fuelling the hopes and dreams of youths so that they can harness their talents and skills for a brighter future,” Hill said.

“In Jamaica, football is not just a game; it’s an art form embedded in our culture. Among student-athletes, it helps to nurture core character traits such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience, all qualities that can help players navigate everyday life. Grace Mighty Malt is committed to supporting these athletes and helping them develop skills that will serve them both on and off the field,” she added.

Newly crowned ISSA Under-16 champions St Andrew Technical (STATHS) have dedicated their victory to slain Manning Cup forward Omar Laing.

On Thursday, STATHS claimed their first football trophy in over three decades following a 2-1 triumph over the previously unbeaten Kingston College.  In fact, prior to the shock loss in the final, the North Street-based team had failed to concede a goal all season.

A brilliant Delaney Whyte free-kick blotted that copybook and gave STATHS the lead in the 25^th minute.  After missing several presentable opportunities, in the first half, Kingston College did manage to pull back on level terms when Dujuan Richards scored soon after the resumption.  However, an own goal in the 54^th from Anthony Ricketts sent the Purples crashing to a surprise defeat.

Laing, the leading scorer for the school’s Manning Cup team last season, was killed in a drive-by shooting incident in downtown Kingston last week.  His younger brother is currently a part of the triumphant Under-16 squad.