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JFF Welcomes Returning Sponsors, New Website
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) launched a new website and announced the return of a number of key sponsors as it prepares for what it says will be a busy administration period from now until the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
With the senior women's team preparing to compete in its second-consecutive FIFA Women's World Cup this summer, their male counterparts preparing for the Concacaf Gold Cup, the U-20 Reggae Girlz readying for the next stage of World Cup qualifying, and the U-20 Reggae Boyz now in camp getting ready for their campaign, the JFF says all support, in cash or kind, is welcome.
The federation hosted a press conference at its headquarters in New Kingston on Wednesday to, not only launch the site but thank sponsors such as Courts Jamaica, GraceKennedy, and IRIE FM radio for returning, while praising existing sponsors First Choice Pharmacy, the Sports Development Foundation, the Wisynco Group, Stewart's Jamaica, the Bob Marley Foundation, the Reggae Girlz Foundation, and adidas for the support they have given over the years.
"The JFF is intent on getting things right," said President Michael Ricketts. "It is always going to be a struggle. We are not an entity that makes money; we depend on sponsors and we depend on grants, so when we get sponsors on board we must treat them well."
But while sponsorship means the JFF will be able to better afford to prepare its teams, Ricketts speaks of a bigger picture — nation development, through sponsorship. He says with the aid of sponsors the JFF can prepare teams to compete regionally and internationally, with the aim of impacting Jamaican youth.
"It's not just about football," he said. "We must impact the social lives of every single boy and girl in this country. That's our aim. That's our ambition."
But how does the JFF specifically intend to do this? Ricketts told the Jamaica Observer the same thing last November, saying that it means providing a platform (the national teams) for players to showcase themselves and earn contracts with foreign clubs so as to be able to support their families in Jamaica through remittances.
Jameco Equipment Company's (a subsidiary of the Stewart's Automotive Group) General Manager Brian Pengelley agrees with Ricketts that sponsorship is vital to nation-building. He says the full cooperation of other Jamaican businesses is still missing, and he hopes they will also partner with the JFF to grow the national brand.
"I'm not seeing where people appreciate what value the advertising, the promotion, and the teams being abroad is bringing to Jamaica," he said. "Our companies that sell and manufacture goods in Jamaica should be on board. When people come here they are buying our products — and that benefits everyone.
"On top of that, the tourism industry is profiting subliminally because people are seeing Jamaica and coming to Jamaica. So, it's not just music and reggae and everything else, it's everything these people and the foundation is doing."
No disclosure was made regarding the length of these partnerships or the figures donated by each sponsor.
The JFF's new website can be found at jff.football and General Secretary Dennis Chung says it has been designed to integrate all 13 parish football associations so as to provide information on their affairs and tournaments.
The site will also allow for ticket purchases and information on upcoming matches, as well as act as a gateway to adidas's online store should visitors wish to purchase team merchandise.
