Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) were handed six sets of brand new keys by automobile dealers Stewart's Auto Sales to facilitate local travel during the 2010 World Cup campaign.

The sponsorship package estimated to be valued over $25 million, will see Rene Simoes technical director of the National outfit provided with a brand new BMW X3, while four Suzuki Sx4 deluxe sedans will be made available to the assistant coaches. In addition to the above another BMW will be provided for guest coaches, who visit the island for international friendlies and during the World Cup qualifiers. The contract is expected to run for the next three years.

JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell, pleased with the support from the Suzuki and BMW distributors, hailed the gesture as a vote of confidence in his administration.

Contribution

"We are very happy to welcome them on board at this time and their contribution is greatly appreciated," he said.

"I believe that a willingness to support us so far demonstrated by corporate Jamaica is a vote of confidence in the current administration.

"We hope the involvement of Stewart's, a major corporate entity, will serve as an example to others to come on board with the national programme," he added.

In addition to providing the cars, Stewart's will also subsidise the servicing of the vehicles and absorb the full cost of comprehensive insurance for each of them. Stewart's were also involved in the 1998 when the Reggae Boyz made their historic debut at the World Cup in France. National technical Rene Simoes also expressed his gratitude with Stewart's involvement.

"It always amazing when the private sector has the vision to get involved, and I encourage corporate Jamaica to look at involvement as not just helping a sport but as providing social solutions," he said.