Soccer Players Demand UWI Hand Over Prize Money

Tensions are said to be brewing at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus’ Sports Academy over the prize money won during the recent Prime Ministers’ Cup Soccer Tournament.

Players are reportedly fuming over the UWI’s alleged refusal to pay the prize money to team members despite the government having turned the money over to the UWI.

Due to a policy at the UWI since 2021, players do not receive winnings and since 2023, the Blackbirds have won a total of 157 thousand dollars including their Independence Day purse won at Kensington Oval.

Following an emergency meeting at the Usain Bolt Complex Wednesday night, talks between Head Of Sports Rudolph Alleyne, players, and their representatives allegedly broke down after an offer by the UWI to pay out 50 thousand dollars, half of the prize money, was rejected.

Starcom Network News contacted Head Coach Fabian Messiah who said that all queries should be directed to the Head of the Sports Academy, Rudolph Alleyne.

On Thursday, Alleyne said there would be a resolution to the matter but efforts to reach the Head of Sports yesterday were unsuccessful.

However, a source from the UWI confirmed to Starcom Network News that the offer of 50 thousand dollars was rejected by the players who are demanding 100 percent of the prize money.

Minister of Sports and Community Empowerment Charles Griffith also confirmed to Starcom Network News that all monies have been disbursed to the various clubs that advanced in the Prime Minister’s Cup and said further disbursement was now an issue for the individual clubs.