Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Jamaica Football Federation President Crenston Boxhill (centre) and president of the Portland Football Association, Burchell Gibson (right), accept a sponsor's cheque from Noel Greenland, Western Union VP of marketing, at a press conference launching the Portland Major League at the offices of the Jamaica Football Federation yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

REMITTANCE GIANTS Western Union will pump $1.1 million into this, year's Portland Football Associations Major League as the company celebrates 13 years of involvement in the rural football competition.

The competition, which due to inclement weather will now commence on December 16 with seven teams, will see Taurus, former representatives in top-flight football, Ujama, Snow Hill, Norwich, Fairy Hill, Progressive and Eagle Strikers playing each other on a home-and-away basis.

"As early as three years after the company started, this competition was our first major community development ... today we can definitely say that it has truly been a productive 13 years," said Noel Greenland, Western Union vice-president of marketing, produc-tion and development.

"We remain committed to supporting football, sports, community develop-ment, education and, in the broader scope, nation building," Greenland said.

The winners' of this year's competition will walk away with $100,000, the second-placed team will receive $60,000, the third-placed team $40,000 while the fourth will get $25,000. The competition will also once again have a midseason final which will see the winner take home $20,000 while the loser will receive $10,000.

A major part of the budget will also go towards referees' fees, administrative expenses and jerseys. This year a book grant of $5,000 will be available to four players taking part in the league.

While thanking the sponsors for their continued involvement and commit-ment, president of the Jamaica Football Federation, Crenston Boxhill, speaking to the few representatives of the teams present at the JFF head offices yesterday, encouraged the players to make use of the opportunity.

"I ask you to encourage strong competition, fair play and good community support throughout the duration of the league," Boxhill said

"I urge the players in particular to show off their talents. You never know who might be watching, it's that time of year in the football calendar," he said.