Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Crenston Boxhill (left), presents Ian McNaughton (second right), Goodyear's financial director, with the new-look JFF jersey after the signing of their sponsorship deal at the JFF secretariat yesterday. Looking on are JFF's general secretary Burchell Gibson (second left) and Clyde Juredini, general manager of Harbour View, representing the clubs. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
GOODYEAR JAMAICA Ltd. became an associate sponsor of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) yesterday, pumping $1.5 million into the cash-strapped organisation to assist the clubs.
The 12 National Premier League clubs have all benefited. By virtue of their current status as the past two Caribbean champions, Portmore United and Harbour View secured $200,000, each while the remaining 10 clubs, plus the JFF, will receive $100,000 each.
Ian McNaughton, financial director of Goodyear, said the clubs were in a situation where they were pretty much big businesses.
"The allocation of resources, the generation of resources face the clubs as they face other corporate entities. It is in this light that Goodyear has decided to step forward and provide sponsorship support of $1.5 million for the clubs participating in the Premier League," said McNaughton at yesterday's press conference at the JFF's headquarters in New Kingston.
"The allocation sponsorship will last until the end of this current season, which ends in May, at which point we will reassess and decide whether we will continue or increase this sponsorship," McNaughton added.
FINANCIAL BURDEN
Crenston Boxhill, president of the JFF said: "This sponsorship, in the way in which it is designed, will take a critical financial burden off the financing of our clubs.
"Over the coming months we are expecting more and all will be accommodated. Welcome aboard, Goodyear," Boxhill added.
The JFF, in a financial crunch, is struggling to pay the clubs money owing over a period of time, and once again the talk of a no-confidence vote against the present administration is circulating.
