SKNFA KICKS OFF U13 BOYS GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS – The St. Kitts and Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) is set to host the U13 Boys Grassroots Football Festival this weekend, August 16–17, at the St. Mary’s Park in Cayon. The festival aims to promote youth football development and provide a platform for young athletes to showcase their skills.

Starting on Saturday, August 16, at 9 a.m., the festival will feature at least 11 local football clubs. The preliminary matches will take place on Saturday, with the semi-finals and finals scheduled for Sunday, August 17, beginning at 3 p.m.

Alleyne Morris, an executive member of the SKNFA Executive Council, highlighted the festival’s key objectives. “We had [a similar football festival] in 2023… that one was held in Half Way Tree and was very successful. We saw a lot of our member clubs getting more membership,” she said. “Some (clubs) have expanded their youth programs because of the participation of some boys who didn’t know that their community had a club [for youth football]; so that’s what we want to continue,” she added.

Morris stressed that the festival is a crucial part of the SKNFA’s mission to develop football in St. Kitts and Nevis by creating opportunities for young players. “We want to make sure that as we start from the ground up, that there’s continuity; that the football doesn’t die in St. Kitts and Nevis,” Morris explained. “It’s basically number one sport in the Federation right now and it’s a means for our young persons to stay off the street; do something productive and also as they play and enjoy themselves, they are able to look forward to professional football and getting scholarships to college to advance themselves. So it’s a win-win for all of us.” The public is invited to attend and support the young footballers as they compete for the championship.