THE 2019 edition of the Terminix Super League will kick off this weekend with Match Day One action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reigning champs FC Santa Rosa will square off against RSSR FC in the opening match on Saturday, from 4 pm, at the Arima Velodrome, and Metal X Erin FC will host Club Sando Uprising Youths at the Erin Recreation Ground from 6.30 pm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two games will take place from 7 pm \u2013 UTT entertaining Petit Valley\/Diego Martin United at the UTT O\u2019Meara campus, Arima and Matura ReUnited against Queen\u2019s Park at the Matura Recreation Ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Sunday, San Fernando Giants will tackle Police, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium Training Field, from 3.30 pm, while Prisons Service will host Bethel United, at the YTC Ground, Arouca from 4 pm. Guaya United will be on a bye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2019 season, which will run until December 15, was launched yesterday, at the Phase Two La Horquetta Recreation Ground, Arima, with Super League president Keith Look Loy and Terminix director Richard Ferguson addressing the media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a one-round season because of events that has occasioned this,\u201d said Look Loy, referencing to the failed T League venture, which would have been a combination of Pro League and Super League teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe went searching for sponsorship,\u201d he continued. \u201cWe received a positive response from Ferguson who has filled a huge void in our club football in 2019. He stepped in to sponsor the Ascension football tournament and he immediately agreed to become the title sponsor of the 2019 Super League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have sponsorship from Raymond Tim Kee and Investments, and we have one other sponsor, who shall remain nameless, who have come on board,\u201d Look Loy said. \u201cThis is the first time that the Super League will be offering monies (in three years).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ferguson said, \u201cThis is our first year of sponsoring the football league and it will definitely not be the last. We\u2019re hoping to increase our sponsorship, get more involved in television (and) more exposure for players, to get a higher calibre of TT players.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With regards to prize monies for the 13 participating teams, Look Loy said, \u201cWe have a match bonus of $1,000 if your club win a match, if the match is drawn the two clubs get $500. We are giving a $2,000 prize to the MVP (Most Valuable Player), the best goalkeeper and the golden boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have a commitment for $100,000 in prize monies,\u201d he added. \u201cEverybody plays and if any finances are generated, then it should be paid equitably. The last team should get $1,100 and the first place team should get $14,000.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look Loy listed a few clubs who chose not to participate in the Super League this season \u2013 1976 Phoenix FC, Harlem Strikers, Marabella Family Crisis Centre and Cunupia FC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThey sat in the meeting where we discussed details of the league to launch itself on Saturday as well as the incentives that are on offer,\u201d said Look Loy. \u201cThey were given a deadline and chose not to participate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He continued, \u201cThere are those that cannot participate because of TTFA membership non-compliance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Local cable network TTEN, in conjunction with Island Sports Network and TV6, will be showing matches live and\/or delayed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n