Jamaica Football Federation president Crenston Boxhill. - file

Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

GRACEKENNEDY yesterday announced its commitment to the Reggae Boyz's Road to Africa 2010 campaign with a $15 million, four-year deal.

"We remain committed to securing the nutritional health of our football players. To that end, we have entered into an agreement, in this 85th year, with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to provide some $15 million of food supplies over a four-year period," said Michael Ranglin, senior general manager, GraceKennedy Foods.

"We will provide nutrition training and lecture demonstrations to cooking staff assigned to prepare meals for the team under the direction of Grace Kitchens and Dr. Heather Little-White," said Ranglin.

GraceKennedy Foods will provide meals and nutritional guidance for the Reggae Boyz whenever they are in camp.

Dr. Little-White, food and nutrition consultant, recalled that GraceKennedy answered the call by then technical director Rene Simoes in 1997 to provide proper nutrition en route to their historic World Cup qualification in 1998.

"I remember when the programme started. Some players were suffering from low energy levels, low body weight, decreased ability to repair injury and build muscle," said Dr. Little-White.

"So, from this practical case, we have demonstrated that good nutrition has a positive effect on footballers and others in the sporting fraternity," she said.

Crenston Boxhill, president of the JFF, said he was sure that all the sponsors of the federation and football would not only forgive him him but join in saying the partnership unveiled was extraordinarily special.

"This announcement is special because the nutritional foundation of our players is critical to the success of the programme," said Boxhill.