By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff ReporterTHE NATIONAL Premier League's defending champions, Portmore United, received a $1 million donation from Member of Parliament for South East St. Catherine, Paul Robertson, yesterday at the Portmore Municipality Office.
The event was a press conference, organised by the office of the mayor of Portmore, George Lee, formally welcoming Portmore United, formerly Hazard, to the community.
"This is a great day for Portmore. We have dreamt of having a National Premier League (NPL) team in Portmore for years. We are proud to have our own team. This is a dream come true," Robertson said.
He also clearly severed all ties between politics and football, saying that he does not wish to "politicise the team".
Fitz Jackson, Member of Parliament for South St. Catherine, shared some business advice with the club reminding it that they are now a resident of the second largest commercial district (outside of Kingston and St. Andrew) and implored it to "exploit the commercial possibilities as football is not only for recreation but also for big business".
"Market yourselves," he said.
He also implored the players to develop their character and be role models for the youth in the community.
"My personal dream is for Portmore United to become a model, a professional team of discipline and positive attitude. The players should be catalysts for social development and not only be seen as football players but men of great character," he said.
The managers of the club seem intent on realising that dream. Clive Marshall, general manager of Portmore United, announced that with the help of the Heart Trust and Jackson, the players would be tutored in public speaking and computer literacy which would aid in their overall development. He also said that the decision to move to Portmore and renamed the team was not hard, as 50 per cent of the team members were Portmore residents.
The club officially begins its season this Sunday with a thanksgiving service at the Faith Temple New Testament Church on Port Henderson Road at 10:00 a.m.
The new season of the NPL starts on September 14. Portmore United's first game will be against Star Cosmos at the Ferdie Neita Sports Complex in Portmore.
