Jermaine Lannaman, Freelance Reporter

Keammar Daley ... one of Meadhaven's top talents. - File

WITH JUST weeks to go before the start of the 2008-2009 National Premier League, newly promoted Meadhaven United are finding it difficult to attract sponsorship.

The upper St Andrew club, which won the NPL play-off series early last month ahead of fellow qualifiers, St Catherine's Rivoli United, have been on the road seeking sponsors. However, according to club vice president and senior team assistant coach Lijyasu Simms, things have not been going great.

"We have been sending out letters to prospective sponsors, however, we have been receiving very few positive responses," Simms said. "We are not too perturbed as we are a God-fearing club and, as such, we know that He will provide," he said.

Youth level

Meadhaven, who were bequeathed a legacy from the late David Hunt, have been one of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association's (KSAFA) top clubs over the years, especially at the youth level.

Led by national youth representative and central midfielder Keammar Daley, the club has won back-to-back titles (and in some cases triple) at the KSAFA Under-13, 15, 17 and 20 levels and in qualifying for the Premier League have fulfilled one of their long-time ambitions.

"Meadhaven have some of the most talented youngsters in the corporate area and the country, as evidenced by our back-to-back KSAFA youth titles over the years," said Simms. "We are, therefore, in no doubt that we have a very good product to sell, and as soon as corporate Jamaica realises what we have we have no doubt that it will want to partner with us," Simms said.

Peter Beckford, the club's president and general manager who is spearheading their sponsorship thrust, shares Simms' opinions and adds that "anyone who comes on board will get value for their money".

"The amount of publicity and exposure that a sponsor will get will be worth every dollar," said Beckford. "People are telling us to try and stay in the league this season - but we will not be satisfied with just that. We have a good group of youngsters, who are some of the best 20-year-olds in the country and if we are able to secure the services of a few experienced players, which we are trying to, we will make an impact, if not this year, in the future.

"We are, therefore, asking members of corporate Jamaica who want to invest in a plausible vision and football product to join us," he said.

The NPL, which is yet to secure a title sponsor, is slated to start on Sunday, August 24. Meadheaven are down to play their home matches at Constant Spring due to a lack of stands at their Michigan Oval (Meadowbrook) home ground.