Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor 
KSAFA president, Ambassador Stewart Stephenson (right), hands the Western Union/KSAFA Jackie Bell KO trophy to Harbour View captain Lovell Palmer (centre) and his teammates after Harbour View beat Boys' Town 1-0 at the National Stadium, last season. The defending NPL champions are out to repeat their dominance this season. - File photos
THE NATIONAL Premier League kicks off tomorrow with title-holders Harbour View Football Club out to defend their crown and the remaining 11 contenders shooting for what is definitely the most prestigious, and, possibly most lucrative, prize in the island.
For the past five years, they were battling for the Wray and Nephew National Premier League Trophy under a $100 million-deal arbitrated mainly by the sport's local governors, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).
Now, it's the Cash Plus Premier League (CPPL), named after the title sponsors who are doling out $150 million into the 12-team competition for the next three years. And, this time, the clubs have taken financial matters into their own hands with the formation of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), which will deal with business matters pertaining to the group, the enhancement of the league and growth of its members.
"The ultimate objective is true professional football in Jamaica, and I think right now that is where we are headed," outlined Howard McIntosh, general secretary of the PLCA and Portmore United Club executive, at the league's launch just over a week ago.
The PLCA's mandate includes bringing on board this season's title sponsors and others to beef up finances and ease the struggles faced by clubs whose seasonal bills - inclusive of salaries, transportation, match costs, etc. - range from between $12 million to $20 million, a far cry from the under $800,000 each got from the previous sponsors and television rights last season.
Greater funding
Members of Reno hold aloft the Wray and Nephew second end-of-round final trophy after defeating Harbour View 1-0 at St Elizabeth Technical High School, last season. Reno are looking to improve on their third-place finish this season.
With greater funding, the allotment to each club is set to surge but that, and other important details such as prize monies, is yet to be finalised and, according to Clyde Jureidini, general manager of Harbour View, the PLCA is still trying to get other 'partners' (sponsors) as they work to "... improve the benefits across the board".
Given the problems of the past which saw players from weaker clubs transfer as the funds dried up and results worsened, it is yet another encouraging foray, especially with the championship distance lengthened from 33 to 38 matches through a changed format that brings an additional round.
In that fourth round, teams one through six will play against themselves and seven through 12 will clash.
This is yet anothe which brings a new challenge.
"It's good from the players' point of view and it's going to be tough for the coaches," Lenworth Hyde Sr., head coach at Harbour View, noted. "You're going to have to know how to pace and prepare the players for these additional five games."
The east Kingston team will begin its journey with a 3:30 p.m. home fixture against Portland's St. George's, hoping to get the bullet-like start that catapulted it to the title with a full three games remaining last season.
"We want to win. We want to accumulate as many points as possible so it's important to start with a win," Hyde Sr. pointed out. "We want to be ahead from the start, I don't like that position of having to be chasing.
He added: "I think it's going to be a tougher season with the new sponsors and more money. It's not going to be easy and especially as you're the defending champions.
Everybody is coming for the defending champions so we have to be prepared."
Besides Harbour View, there are the usual suspects for title honours.
The last victors from western Jamaica, Reno, were one of the surprise packages last season. The three-time winners have attracted more attention and ratings and got a good stage to announce their intentions at Arnett Gardens, twice champions since the turn of this decade who remain vastly talented and are even more intent on boosting their fallen stocks.
Quality players
Waterhouse, Portmore and Tivoli also fit perfectly into that category with a recent title, quality players and dreams that got battered with some inconsistent returns in competitions just gone by.
Even then, they are not the only ones with a say.
Traditional team Boys' Town, bold three-time champions, are gradually regaining their footing after hibernating for more than 10 years in the lower league.
They will be looking to make their point and many still await the rise of fallen western giants, MoBay's Seba United, another multiple champion which has been patchy and fighting relegation battles more than championship ones recently. Ironically, Seba pioneered western domination with a 1987 success over Boys' Town.
Trelawny's Village United also carry western hopes while August Town, following a decent debut, St. George's and the other promoted team, Clarendon's Sporting Central Academy, are full of enthusiasm, eagerly looking for the opportunity to make their mark amid the changes in the Premier League this year.
