Successful JFL could expand to Abu Dhabi

Three of the five age-group divisions of the E-Sports Junior Football League (JFL) came to a close at the Dubai Men’s College. Over 800 people gathered on the last day of the six-week long league, the first of two JFL seasons scheduled for 2011-2012, in what was described by E-Sports Football Academy Director Terry Kidd as an "electric atmosphere", with a loud crowd cheering on the children, and Football TV and radio presenter Rob McCaffrey also in attendance. The 7s and Under, 9s and Under and 11s and Under groups all saw tough competition across the Premier, First and Second Divisions, and Kidd was thrilled with the huge success of the event, which attracted teams from schools, football academies and independent organisations from all over Dubai, besides a host of young players from E-Sports’ Football Academy. “My general feeling is that I think we’ve raised the bar across the board,” said Kidd, a former professional footballer who played for Scottish club Aberdeen as a youngster. “The organisation, the set-up...  we’ve had fantastic new additions to the league to make the JFL more inviting for other teams to be involved. He added: “We’ve basically upgraded the competition. It was very competitive this season. On finals day, the atmosphere was just electric. I think we had over 800 spectators and players on Thursday who were all extremely excited for the curtain close of Season 1. “We had Rob McCaffrey there, and obviously I was there to hand out the trophies and the medals. We’re really proud with how it has gone.” The JFL has been taking place for almost eight years with two seasons each year, and Kidd said he was proud of the progress they have made but insisted there’s always room for development. “We have been focusing on Dubai, it would be great to make it even bigger, to develop it," Kidd added. “Abu Dhabi is always screaming for more participation, especially in football; so we hope to tap into that in the future,” he said. “It’s been going for over seven years. It really has gone from strength to strength, but there’s always room for improvement. We are always looking for that. JFL Season 2 will definitely have some tweaks.” The 13s and Under and 16s and Under divisions of Season 1 will conclude this weekend, and Season 2 of the JFL will kick off on February 16. For more information log on to www.esportsdubai.com.