First-time entrants Friends For Real claimed the championship title at the Pocket Rocket Foundation’s ‘Peace Through Sports’ Six-A-Side football competition on Sunday at the Red Stripe Sports Complex in Kingston.
The Olympic Gardens-based team defeated Madley Mixers 1-0 in a tightly contested final, with Emeil Atkinson scoring the decisive goal. Earlier in the day, Legend secured third place with a 2-1 win over Legacy.
The tournament, organized by Olympic and world champion sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce through her Pocket Rocket Foundation, brought together 20 teams for 36 matches, showcasing local football talent and community spirit.
“These past weeks have been nothing short of incredible,” Fraser-Pryce said. “To see the level of skill, passion, and community spirit displayed throughout this competition has been truly inspiring. Friends For Real’s victory is particularly meaningful, as it ties back to our mission of empowerment.”
The Pocket Rocket Foundation had earlier this year donated football gear to the Olympic Gardens Football Club, whose members featured prominently in the championship-winning team. Fraser-Pryce added, “To see a team comprising members of that club rise to the occasion and become champions in their first entry demonstrates the power of opportunity and teamwork.”
Wyan Nelson, captain of Friends For Real, expressed gratitude and pride after the victory. “Words cannot express how the team is feeling to have won. This was our first time entering the tournament, and to come out as champions is beyond what we could have imagined. The togetherness we have built as a team has been amazing, and this competition has shown us what we can achieve. We are so grateful for this opportunity, and it is a moment we will never forget.”
The tournament, the largest in its history, awarded cash prizes of $300,000, $200,000, and $100,000 to the top three teams.
Key sponsors included Nike, AFIMI, Grace Foods, GraceKennedy’s 876 Water and Lucozade, FESGas, Rymax Lubricants, Dollette and Ken, and Sanmerna Paper Products.
