Tue | Apr 28, 2026

JOA joins St Mary football on recovery road

Published:Tuesday | April 28, 2026 | 12:12 AMAinsley Walters/Gleaner Writer
Christopher Samuda (right), president, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), listens intently as Dr Jason McKay outlines plans for the McKay Security St Mary FA Major League at the competition’s launch and opening games on Sunday at the Westmoreland Oval in
Contributed
Christopher Samuda (right), president, Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), listens intently as Dr Jason McKay outlines plans for the McKay Security St Mary FA Major League at the competition’s launch and opening games on Sunday at the Westmoreland Oval in Annotto Bay.

It keeps getting better for the St Mary Football Association, which had its McKay Security Division One kick-off and launch on Sunday at the Westmoreland Oval in Annotto Bay.

Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Christopher Samuda was the ace up the sleeve of President James Pearson at the launch, bearing gifts as referee-fees sponsor, not only for the 2026 season, but also adding last year’s unpaid sum, which had ballooned to a debt of $235,000.

“To God be the glory,” Pearson proclaimed, while watching Axum beat Highgate 3-1 and youthful New Era get past Fort George Academy 2-1 in a double-header played on a lush field at the seaside ground.

“I didn’t want to say much before it actually unfolded, but the JOA stepped in and assisted us to pay the total referees’ fees for last season and have committed for this year’s as well,” said Pearson, whose pleas in The Gleaner for the sponsorless league was first answered by St Mary Western Member of Parliament Robert Montague, and Dr Jason McKay of McKay Security, now title sponsor of the competition, which was in danger of being abandoned.

Samuda, who shared the head table at the launch with Dr McKay, Pearson and Vice-President Raymond Anderson, said the JOA was moved to assist after the FA reached out for help.

“This is where it all begins, home-grown talent,” said Samuda.

“The JOA is not only about helping nationally but at every level possible,” he added.

Dr McKay, whose firm, McKay Security, will also field an under-17 team in the junior league, adding to his firm’s $1m sponsorship of the Major League, implored players from the six-team competition to represent their teams, the league and sponsors to be on their best behaviour.

“We will be around to see good football being played and an equal level of discipline,” Dr Mckay urged.

“We really believe the football in St Mary will be good for our brand. Everything depends on you,” he added.

Christopher Brown, member of parliament, St Mary South Eastern, also turned out for the launch and double-header.

Pearson added that the league, despite a late start, will be completed in time for the winners to participate in the Northern Regional playoffs for Jamaica Football Federation Tier Two qualification, facing champions from Portland and St Ann.