Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary, Burchell Gibson (left), and Carlo Redwood, group marketing manager of Red Stripe, adjust the Red Stripe Champions Cup at the launch of the competition yesterday at the JFF office in New Kingston. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) general secretary, Burchell Gibson, pointed to the recent spate of contractual offers as continued improvement in the local leagues and encouraged corporate Jamaica to continue doing their part, as Red Stripe unveiled their $19.7 million dollar sponsorship of this year's Red Stripe Champions Cup.
"We have seen no less than six players take up offers abroad and this highlights the role that corporate Jamaica has played in terms putting on these local competitions," he said.
"These competitions have certainly gone a long way in terms of keeping active and developing our local talent and as a result have been invaluable to our local programme," he added.
Promotional spectacle
Only $9.7 million of the amount will go directly into the funding of the actual competition itself. A further $10 million will go towards advertisement and promotional activities, which the brewery company promises will be quite a spectacle to behold this season.
This year's competition which has seen a $900,000 increase in the sponsorship amount, will be the first under the company's newly packaged 'Live Red' slogan.
The first place team will walk away with $650,000 and $450,000 will go to the second place team. The semi-finalist will each receive $185,000 with $100,000 going to each quarter-final team. The eight teams advancing to the second round stage will receive $75,000 each, with $60,000 going to the 10 first round teams.
Other prizes
In addition to those prizes there will be a Fair Play award worth $75,000, and Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for $50,000, while the Top Coach will similarly receive $50,000. The Top Referee and Top Referee's Assistant will receive $15,000 each.
Round one of the competition will kick off on January 31, with Duhaney Park hosting Holland United, Port Morant All-Stars will take on Seba United, Mount Pelier FC will challenge St. Ann Bauxite, Frome will tackle Star Cosmos, while Sporting Central Academy will confront Naggo Head.
In other games, St. George's FC will grapple with August Town, Village United will host Central Kingston, Boys' Town will challenge Tafari Lions, Salt Spring FC will take on Downs FC, while Bodles tackle Wadadah. First round contests will be played on a home and away format and the return-leg games will take place on February 7.
