Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

THE 2008 Reggae Jammin Business House Volleyball League begins this weekend at the University of the West Indies gymnasium with defending champions Jamaica Urban Transit Corporation (JUTC) seeking to defend their 2007 title.

Seven teams are scheduled to participate in the tournament which will take place each Sunday from June 1-29. The teams include JUTC, National Water Commission, Bank of Jamaica, Edna Manley College, Jamaica Defence Force, Jamalco and the Jamaica National Building Society.

League director Jon Jones said he was expecting an improvement in the quality of play throughout the tournament.

"Each year the expectation is that the players will improve their technical performance and, by extension, the quality and tactical nature of the game will be improved," Jones said.

Round-robin format

The league will take on a round-robin format and there will be first, second and third-place trophies and medals up for grabs. Also, a most valuable player award will be given to a player from the winning team.

Brand manager of title sponsors Reggae Jammin, Cordia Panton-Williams, affirmed her company's commitment to the sponsorship of the event, which is in its second year.

"Our brand and the competition are a perfect blend. Volleyball is high-energy and creates fun for the entire family. Our product is family-oriented and thus fits in perfectly," Panton-Williams said.

Patrons attending the tournament will have the opportunity to sample Reggae Jammin products, including Reggae Jammin burgers and curried chicken.

The competition is also sponsored by Supreme Ventures, Gatorade, Ensure, Wellman and Wellwoman Vitamins, and Digicel Tropical Plaza.