By Nodley Wright, Staff ReporterTHE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) and mobile powerhouse Digicel yesterday signed a multi-year, $15 million deal to be the exclusive sponsor and mobile telecommunications provider for the national football programme.
Of the $15 million package, $12 million is guaranteed cash while another $3 million will be earned in incentives based on the team's performance. According to Digicel Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Seamus Lynch, cash awards will be made to the team following wins and draws.
"This approach is in keeping with Digicel's corporate philosophy of performance-based pay and this now links sport to national productivity," Lynch said.
Lynch also indicated that the possibility existed for the size of the incentive package to increase, depending on how well the Boyz perform.
Another part of the deal will see 40 members of the national squad provided with mobile phones with airtime included. On these phones will also be the roaming feature which, according Marketing Director Harry Smith, is provided by Digicel in 65 countries.
Lynch and Smith outlined that Digicel would involve the Reggae Boyz in their sponsorship and community initiatives as well as advertising and promotions. The Boyz will also be soon seen on the Digicel digiFLEX cards.
In announcing the sponsorship, Lynch told the story of when he first came to Jamaica three and a half years ago he stumbled upon a football game at the National Stadium and was struck by the sea of yellow-clad supporters backing their team.
Overcome by this, he recognised the potential of football as a unifying force.
"The Jamaica football team and the JFF play an important part in the branding of Jamaica overseas," said Lynch. To illustrate his point he painted another story of witnessing a number of people in Ireland walking around sporting the Jamaica flag during the 1998 World Cup campaign.
Captain Horace Burrell, JFF president, welcomed Digicel to the JFF family.
Said Burrell: "It is not easy in this day and age to encourage someone to invest in this way when they could have invested in other ways and get more. What with government paper and other things."
Even before the ink was dried on the signed contract both parties were discussing other ways to work together. One such way is a football friendly between Jamaica and Ireland.
"One of the first things we talked about was a game against Ireland or possibly two games. One in Jamaica and one in Ireland," said Burrell.
"I have the connections with the federation there and with Mr Lynch coming on board with business connections in Ireland, I see no reason why this cannot materialise quickly," he added.
Lynch confirmed Burrell's story that friendlies between the two countries were on the agenda.
"It would be lovely if we could set up two of those. One in Jamaica and one in Ireland," said Lynch who added that there are many links between the two countries.
"It would be good not only for football but socially as well. It would be good for tourism and would be a win for both teams," he concluded.
