Papine youngster steals show at Awards
Twelve-year-old Leon Bailey of Papine FC stole the show at the Claro/KSAFA Youth Football Awards Presentation at the Jamaica Pegasus last Thursday.
Bailey copped three Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards in three different age groups competitions — Under-13, Under-15 and Under-17 — and was the topscorer as winners of two of those competitions.
The youngster inspired his team’s victory, top-scoring in Zone B of the Under-13 league with 20 goals and being named MVP.
He did the same while playing for Meadforest in the St Andrew Under-15 competition, netting 12 goals, the MVP award and victory in the league.
And though he was not the top-scorer in the Under-17 contest, he was voted MVP as he helped his team to the title.
The Kingston College student says although he scored many goals, he believes his playmaking is his main strength.
“I feel very good about this achievement,” he said afterwards.
“I didn’t expect this in the Under-17, but in the Under-13 and Under-15 I expected it,” he beamed.
“… This has motivated me to know that I can go on to professional football and do well,” he added.
His coach Andrew James described the youngster as a dedicated, disiplined player who is focused on making it professionally. He is confident he will be successful.
Meanwhile, a host of awards were presented to teams and individuals ranging from Under-13 to Under-20 and including the inaugural Female five-a-side U-20 competition.
Harbour View were Under-20 and Under-15 Champions League winners, taking home $30,000 and $25,000, respectively. Champions League runners-up Meadhaven recieved $20,000.
However, Harbour View were the runners-up behind Meadhaven in the Confederation League. Meadhaven collected $60,000 and Harbour View $40,000.
Meadhaven’s Kemal Malcolm was the leading scorer and MVP with 10 goals.
St Andrew zone A winners Maverley/Hughenden got $30,000 and also had the MVP in Odayne Burgher. Constant Spring’s Robert Tayler led the scoring with 13 goals.
Boys’ Town received the same as Maverley for topping the Kingston Zone, with Vishnu Harris being voted the MVP.
However, the leading scorer award went to Shamri Hibbert of Central Kingston with nine goals.
Winnings coaches Lijyasu Simms (Meadhaven), Ludlow Bernard (Harbour View) and Keith Johnson (Maverley) and Perry Bartley were also recognised.
With the Champions League for the Under-17s incomplete, Real Mona finished atop the Confed League and took home $60,000. They also had the MVP in Devon Williams.
Runners-up Arnett Gardens collected $40,000 and striker Trevel Walker the topscorer with 14 goals.
The Andrew James-coached Papine took home $30,000 for Zone ‘A’ honours, with the topscorer award going to Allman/Woodford’s Michael Issacs with seven. Second-placed Brown’s Town got $20,000.
For the inaugural Jean Nelson women’s five-a-side contest, Waterhouse were champions and pocketed $50,000. Second-placed Maverley got $30,000 and third-placed Meadhaven, $20,000.
Maverley’s Monique Pryce was the topscorer with 21 goals, while Jodi Ann Goulbourne was the best goalkeeper.
Claro representative Latoy Williams said the youngsters and KSAFA made them proud to be associated with them.
KSAFA president Rudolph Speid said after they revamped the youth league structure last season, it proved to be very exciting.