THE La Ressource playing field will be a hype of activity as hundreds of football fans are expected to converge on that facility starting on Saturday 15th September 2018. The news is out that the opening round of the 2018 Blackheart Production Knockout tournament will take place there.
With only standing room available, the highly anticipated draw took place on Tuesday evening in the conference room of the Saint Lucia Olympic Committee Headquarters in La Clery. Representatives from all the participating teams were present, including the various sponsors, Saint Lucia Football Association General Secretary – Victor Reid, Director for Youth Development and Sports – Patrick Mathurin, Maritime Consultant – Cuthbert Didier, CEO of Blackheart Production – David Christopher, the Blackheart Crew, Captain of Saint Lucia Senior National men’s football team – Zaine Pierre, Head Coach – Francis Mc Donald and members of the media.
With EC$30,000 at stake for the champion team, the stage is now set as to who meets who in what has been dubbed as ‘The People’s Tournament”.
On day 1, former finalist Central Castries will open their campaign when they play Roseau Valley from 6.00 p.m.; while at 8.00 p.m. two former champions Dennery and Anse la Raye will square off to see which team will survive going into the next round of the tournament.
On Sunday, from 6.00 p.m. Blackheart Big 8 Champions for 2018, the National Under-20 team under the watchful eyes of head coach Francis Lastic will open their campaign against the inaugural champions of the Saint Lucia Football Association /Coca Cola Island Cup Champions Marchand.
The last time the two played each other was in the SLFA/Coca Cola Island Cup at the Marchand Grounds, in that encounter, the scores were locked at 1-1 after regulation time, but in the penalty shootout, the National U20 team won.
In the second encounter, Vieux Fort North will take on the home team and former Blackheart champions Mabouya Valley at 8.00 p.m.
On Wednesday 19th, still on the La Ressource playing field, another former champion team Canaries will want to shift gears when they take on Laborie at 6.00 p.m.
Also on Wednesday 19th, at 8.00 p.m. the 2013 champions Gros-Islet will fancy their chances against a much improved Desruisseaux team, under the watchful eyes of head coach Carlos Moncherry.
On Saturday 22nd, the Blackheart train will whistle its way to the Phillip Marcellin Grounds, where former champions Micoud will take on Soufriere at 6.00 p.m. and defending champions Vieux Fort South will take on La Clery at 8.00 p.m. to bring the curtains down on the first round of competition. The second round of competition kicks off the following day at the PMG.
