Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
WHILE RUM and water are a popular mix, the Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) will benefit to the tune of $10 million from the synergy of rum and Wata!
Wisynco, the producers of Wata, announced associate sponsorship of the NPL yesterday at the offices of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) in New Kingston.
According to the sponsorship arrangement, Portmore United and Harbour View will benefit from a $300,000 incentive for winning titles in the league last season.
Harbour View were mid-season champions while Portmore United won the NPL.
Four other teams, Tivoli, Seba, Boys' Town and Arnett Gardens, received $200,000 as an incentive for the use of private labels under the Wata brand, dubbed 'Premier Wata'.
Another five teams will receive $150,000.
Waterhouse are the only NPL team left out of the loop as they have an existing sponsorship agreement with Tru-Juice, a rival sponsor.
The remaining amounts from the sponsorship agreement will go into providing Wata for the teams during training and games for the season, along with advertising and administrative costs.
Harbour View's managing director, Clive Jureidini, was elated at the gesture.
"The association with the league and with football in Jamaica helps to lift the profile of the league," said Jureidini, who attested to improved interest at the games with the promotions carried out by sponsors.
Managing director of the Wisynco group, William Mahfood, lauded the sponsorship arrangement which his marketing director, Zachary Harding, said was "good for reaching the community".
"This (Premier League sponsorship) is a culmination that helps us to get closer to the community. This takes it to a different level," Mahfood said.
"This takes us directly to the community through Wata," he said, while promising to start other initiatives with the JFF.
The president of the JFF, Crenston Boxhill, was also pleased with the sponsorship, pointing out that it was more than just about money.
"Apart from the cash sponsorships which I know will come in handy for the clubs, I am heartened by the greater spin-offs that will come from Wata's official involvement with the Premier League clubs," Boxhill said.
