DEFENDING double champions Mona Preparatory will get their Jamaica Independent Schools Association (JISA) Alberga Cup National Under-12 football competition campaign underway today, in what is expected to be a comfortable outing against St Hugh’s as the race for the crown gets going across the island.

Mona, who last year won both the league (Alberga Cup) and knockout (Henriques Cup) titles in an all-conquering season, should make light work of St Hugh’s when both teams square off at 1:00 pm at NWC Mona Field.

Today’s opening day of action in the competiton will also see this season’s likely contenders all taking their first steps in what is expected to be a tightly contested fight for top honours.

Last year’s beaten finalists Hillel Academy as well as 2023 kingpins and this year’s favourites Lannaman’s, Sts Peter and Paul, Henriques Cup finalists Liberty Academy, Emmanuel Christian Academy (ECA), and El Instituto are also predicted to figure prominently this season and will be looking to make early statements.

Hillel will travel to AISK (2:30 pm) in what should be an interesting contest, while Lannaman’s would have budgeted for all three points in their contest against Alvernia (2:30 pm) at Maxfield Park.

Sts Peter and Paul, regarded as one of the most rounded squads in this year’s competition, will host Our Lady of the Angels (OLA) at 2:30 pm while Liberty Academy, who surprised many with their run to the knockout final last season, face Richmond Park at Maxfield Park, starting at 1:00 pm. The dangerous ECA will play Portmore Missionary at home, starting at 2:30 pm, in what shoud be another straightforward win for the favourite.

SATURDAY’S GAMES

•Lannaman’s vs Alvernia – 2:30p at Maxfield Park

•Creative Kids vs Ardenne – 2:30p at NWC Mona

•ECA vs Portmore Missionary – 2:30p at ECA

•Vaz vs Obistan – 1:00 pm at Wolmer’s

•Stella Maris vs Avondale – 1:00 pm at ECA

•AISK vs Hillel – 2:30 pm at AISK

•Richmond Park vs Liberty – 1:00 pm at Maxfield Park

•Mavisville vs Bright Beginning – 1:00 pm at St Andrew

•St Theresa vs St John the Baptist – 1:00 pm at

Caymanas

•Sts Pete and Paul vs OLA – 2:30 pm at Sts Peter and Paul

•The Queen’s vs Morris Knibb – 1:00 pm at Sts Peter and Paul

•Wolmer’s vs Liguanea – 2:30 pm at Wolmer’s

•Hydel vs Meadowbrook – 2:30 pm at Caymanas

•Praise Tab vs Trafalgar – 1:00 pm at AISK

•St Hugh’s vs Mona – 1:00 pm at NWC Mona

•St Andrew vs Reach – 2:30 pm at St Andrew

•Exceed vs Glenmuir – 2:30 pm at Exceed