FOUR PATHS, Clarendon — Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) club Sporting Central Academy was on Friday charged to actualise its potential by becoming a leading player in Jamaica’s top football competition.

The called was made by Member of the Parliament for South West Clarendon, Noel Arscott, who handed over a sponsorship cheque, valued at $1 million through his Constituency Development Fund to the Clarendon-based team at his constituency office in Four Paths.

“It’s a pleasure to contribute to Sporting Central,” said Arscott. “I am a big sports fan and football is one of those unifying forces that bring people from all walks of life together, so this is also a move towards community development.”

“At the moment you are not doing so well,” added Arscott, “but let’s hope that this contribution will help to transform your fortunes so that you can achieve your full potential in the Premier League.”

Sporting Central, currently in its eighth year in the top flight, sits two points above the RSPL relegation zone with only two games left in the preliminary phase of the competition. While recognizing the need for drastic improvement, club president Ainsley Lowe believes that it is the unwavering support from corporate Clarendon that will ultimately to take Sporting to the next level.

At the same time, Lowe said he is proud of what the club has achieved in just over 10 years of existence. “While we have never been the champions of the Premier League, we are champions for many youths,” said Lowe.

“When we look at the likes of Je-Vaughn Watson, Andre Blake and Sean Francis, who came through the ranks at Sporting and are now playing in the MLS, we are very proud of what we have been able to achieve over the years.

“We have been having some difficult times and one of the primary reasons is because, financially, we have not been able carry a deep squad. It takes a lot of money to carry a deep squad, so we are grateful for this contribution today.

“But in spite the difficulties, myself and general manger (Ray) Porter are up to the challenge. We are determined to raise the funds through the community because it was always my desire for Sporting Central to stop being Murray’s team or Lowe’s team and become Clarendon’s team.

“The warning has been given, so corporate Clarendon, look out. We are coming, and it is for a good cause.”

Clarendon Football Association president Michael Ricketts, in hailing Arscott for his gesture, challenged other Member of Parliaments to play their part in sports development.

“I think that if every Member of Parliament does something like this, there would be less crime. We would have more players making it to the national programme and more players getting overseas contracts, which would eventually translate into more remittance for the country.”