THE atmosphere at Jamaica College on Wednesday was reminiscent of the National Arena when the one-of-a-kind FIFA World Cup trophy visited Jamaica last October.

This time it was a population of dark blue-clad boys huddling around the dreamy LIME Super Cup — a glistening crystal trophy which started an eight-school tour at the Old Hope Road institution.

Defending champions Jamaica College have been at the forefront of schoolboy football throughout the history of the competition having won the Manning Cup on more than 25 occasions. By all indication, the students have their eyes on taking the first hold on the new LIME Super Cup.

An excited Principal Ruel Reid says he is looking further than the ordinary spectator.

“Having a play-off between the urban and the rural schools will create a lot of excitement,” he said. “Last year was a very exciting season, and now we have a lot more persons showing interest in schoolboy football. It has a lot of potential, not just for the teams who seek to be champion, but it can be developed into viable economic opportunity for all those involved.”

The team’s coach Miguel Coley is not looking that far. He says it would be great for his team to grab a hold of the trophy first up. “It’s representing a great brand across the Caribbean and the money is a great incentive too, “offered Coley, who is also the assistant coach of the Reggae Boyz. “Jamaica College prides itself in being the best, and what better way to go than to win the LIME Super Cup,” Coley added.

Coley said the concept of clashing Corporate Area schools against those from rural Jamaica makes sense. “It enhances the scope of football, just like we see in the (EUFA) Champions League. Everybody wants to play the LIME Super Cup.”

“There are instances in the Manning Cup when one team may want to manage their game to avoid other teams in the second round. However, with this competition coming, everyone goes for the kill as they want to get all the possible points to win their zones and compete in the knockout spectacle,” he further added.

As far as personal aspirations go , Coley said: “As a coach, it would be great to win the first year. Every school is now strapped for cash, and the million dollars would go a far way in the development of our sports programme.”

The competition is scheduled to commence on October 18 and will see the top-eight teams from the Manning and DaCosta Cup competitions battling for supremacy over four weeks.