1500 players ready for Grace Mighty Malt Victory Cup kick-off

Grace Mighty Malt, in partnership with ProNation Sports for the third consecutive year, are rearing and ready to go for the seventh staging of the Grace Mighty Malt Victory Cup scheduled to take place over the next two days at the UWI Mona Bowl from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Known as the largest youth football tournament in the Caribbean, the event will see some 1,500 players from over 90 teams across the island compete for the Cup. The two-day tournament will give both boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 17 years the opportunity to showcase their talents and sportsmanship.

Since inception, ProNation Sports has been dedicated to the development of Jamaica’s emerging football talent. This led to the launch of the Victory Cup in 2019. Initially starting with 30 teams, the competition has grown immensely to now over 90 teams and counting. Despite a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, ProNation Sports has been able to recover from the lost time with the aid of title sponsor Grace Mighty Malt for the last two years.

Speaking at the launch held on July 1, brand manager, Beverages at Grace Foods and Services, Kristina Hill, reinforced Grace Mighty Malt’s commitment to youth football.

“Grace Mighty Malt has a long-standing commitment to grass-roots football because we believe sport has the power to shape lives and futures. It teaches discipline, resilience, teamwork, and leadership, while creating opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field.” said Hill. “That is why we continue to invest in initiatives like the Victory Cup. Through the GRACE Good Move programme, we’re supporting opportunities that encourage healthy lifestyles, strengthen communities, and help young people realise their potential. This tournament is about much more than football. It provides young athletes with access to quality competition, mentorship, and meaningful exposure, while creating pathways for their personal growth and sporting development.”

Omar McFarlane, JFF Operations Manager (left) in conversation with Craig Butler, Guest Speaker and CEO of the Phoenix Academy during launch of the Grace Mighty Malt Victory Cup.  Joseph wellington

Grace Mighty Malt’s continued investment has helped fuel the remarkable growth of the Victory Cup, with the tournament expanding significantly in both participation and reach over the years. As its profile has grown, so too has interest in grass-roots football, inspiring more young people to get involved in the sport. According to tournament organisers, each staging has led to the establishment of at least one new football academy, creating more opportunities for young players across the island to develop their talents in safe, structured environments and contributing to the continued growth of Jamaica’s grass-roots football ecosystem.

Director of ProNation Sports, Gregory Jones, followed up, stating how beneficial Grace Mighty Malt has been in the growth of the Victory Cup.

“I want to just say a huge thank you to our title sponsor, Grace Mighty Malt. Without their investment and continuous support, we would not have been able to sustain this growth, keep the registration fees affordable, or support the development of our young footballers. Importantly, this partnership also allows us to award educational scholarships of $50,000 to two student athletes who are successful in their applications.”

“These tournaments are needed, and they are necessary. We truly are nurturing the next generation of Jamaica’s great footballers. Ten years ago, we didn’t have five academies in Kingston, and now we have over 30, with more in other parishes across the island. With Grace Mighty Malt’s investment in grass-roots football, more kids from all walks of life are playing football.”

This year’s tournament will also see, for the first time, the participation of a Under-9 international all-boys team from New York called Young Stars.