Jamaica makes football history with the Caribbean’s first-ever live football player draft show

 Less than one month after launching the Made4Goal Jamaica Global Sports Summit the Caribbean’s first multi-disciplinary sports business and development summit, Absolut Ventures Limited has delivered yet another landmark achievement for regional sport.

On Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the company successfully produced and aired Jamaica and the Caribbean’s first LIVE Football Player Draft Show, broadcast nationally on Television Jamaica (TVJ) at 9:30 pm.

The historic broadcast served as the official player selection programme for the inaugural Made4Goal Championship, where standout high school footballers and Jamaica Premier League players were drafted into their respective teams ahead of the championship this Saturday, July 25, 2026, at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex (Arnett Gardens Mini Stadium), with kickoff at 7:00pm.

The achievement follows another major milestone for the organisation—the successful staging of the Made4Goal Jamaica Global Sports Summit, held on June 29–30, 2026, at the University of Technology (UTech), Jamaica. The summit became the Caribbean’s first event dedicated to bringing together sport, business, technology, investment, tourism, education and athlete development under one platform, establishing Made4Goal as more than a football property, but as a long-term movement focused on transforming the sporting ecosystem.

For Alrick McKenzie, Founder of Made4Goal and Chief Executive Officer of Absolut Ventures Limited, innovation has always been about creating opportunities that outlast the event itself.

“The LIVE Player Draft Show wasn’t created simply because it had never been done before nationally. It was created because our athletes deserve to understand how football decisions are made. We wanted to take the selection room out from behind closed doors and put it on national television so players, parents and supporters could hear exactly what coaches and technical experts look for when identifying talent. When young athletes understand the standards, they are better equipped to prepare for opportunities. At the same time, we’ve created a new form of football entertainment that strengthens the commercial value of the sport.”

The LIVE Draft Show transformed what is traditionally a private selection process into compelling television. Rather than simply announcing squads, viewers watched respected football minds debate performances, assess player attributes and explain the technical, tactical, physical and mental qualities that separate good players from elite prospects.

The programme featured a distinguished panel of football experts and media personalities, including Oral Tracey, sports journalist and commentator; Jeanae Robinson, sports journalist; Anthony Patrick, Head Coach of Innswood High School; Dwayne Richards, sports content developer at Yardie Sports; Keon Broderich, Head Coach, Excelsior High School and Mario Dacres, sports content developer and commentator at MG Sports. Together, they provided analysis, insight and discussion that educated audiences while creating a highly entertaining viewing experience.

Sports journalist Oral Tracey believes the programme introduced an exciting new dimension to football coverage in Jamaica.

“Football has always been about moments on the pitch, but this show proved there is just as much excitement in the conversations that happen before a ball is kicked. Fans were able to understand the thinking behind every selection, while young players received valuable lessons about what separates talented athletes from complete footballers. It’s an innovative concept that has real potential.”

That educational value was echoed by Andrew Edwards, respected technical director and football coach, who said the programme offered players an opportunity rarely available in Caribbean football.

“For many young footballers, selection can feel like a mystery. The draft removed that mystery by allowing players to hear exactly what coaches evaluate. Every discussion became a learning opportunity, and that knowledge is something players can carry with them throughout their careers.”

Media Officer for the Jamaica Senior Men’s National Team, Simon Preston who also hosted the programme said the show demonstrated how football content can evolve beyond traditional match coverage.

“This was much more than a television programme. It showed that football analysis, education and entertainment can exist together in a format that engages supporters while raising the profile of our athletes. It expands what football broadcasting in Jamaica can become.”

Alrick McKenzie believes the production also introduced a commercial opportunity for the local game.

“The draft created genuine anticipation and conversation. It gave supporters a reason to invest emotionally before the championship even begins. That’s the type of storytelling that builds brands, attracts sponsors and helps grow football beyond the ninety minutes.”

The Made4Goal LIVE Football Player Draft Show also represents another international first for Absolut Ventures Limited, a company with a proven history of pioneering original sports programming. The organisation previously created the world’s first Freestyle Football Reality Television Series, reinforcing its reputation for developing innovative formats that merge sport, entertainment and athlete development.

Collectively, the Jamaica Global Sports Summit, the LIVE Football Player Draft Show and the Made4Goal Championship represent a connected vision, one that seeks to strengthen every part of the sporting ecosystem by developing athletes, educating stakeholders, attracting investment and creating premium sports entertainment capable of reaching audiences far beyond Jamaica’s shores.

Attention now turns to the inaugural Made4Goal Championship, where some of the island’s best high school footballers will face top Jamaica Premier League talent in what promises to be one of the year’s most anticipated football showcases.

The Made4Goal Championship is this Saturday, July 25, 2026 at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex (Arnett Gardens Mini Stadium) and Kickoff is at 7:00 pm.