LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Managing director of Sherwin Williams, Ian Forbes (right), hands over a cheque to Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), while general secretary Horace Reid looks on. They were at the launch of the Sherwin Williams Women's Football League at the JFF's office in New Kingston yesterday - Photo by LeVaughn Flynn
FOUR MATCHES will be on tomorrow in the Sherwin Williams Colourscape Women's Knockout competition as the teams vie for increased cash incentives, thanks to a $3.5 million sponsorship.
The Jamaica Football Federation ((JFF) and sponsors Sherwin Williams launched the new season of the women's league yesterday at the JFF's office in New Kingston.
This is the seventh year the tournament is being staged.
The cometition, which includes the Premier League, A League and knockout competition, is being sponsored by the paint company, and the sponsorship package was also increased by $1 million.
All 11 teams - seven Premier and four A League - will take part in the knockout. In the first round, Olympic Gardens (A League) play Portmore Strikers, Meadhaven United (A League) battle Reno, Seaview Gardens (A League) face Arnett Gardens and Trelawny Women (A League) meet Barbican. Harbour View, Waterhouse and Maverley/Hughenden have received byes to the second round and will be in action on Wednesday.
Importance of sponsorship
The knockout champs take home $50,000 while the A League and Premier League winners will bag $125,000 and $225,000, respectively.
JFF president, Captain Horace Burrell, acknowledged the im-portance of the women's league and the sponsorship.
"Sherwin Williams is helping women's football at the grass-roots level," said Burrell. "FIFA presi-dent Sepp Blatter has said that women's football is the future of football, and because of the help of companies like Sherwin Williams, before long I expect us to qualify for a World Cup at whatever level."
Managing director of Sherwin Williams, Ian Forbes, said he was pleased with the partnership with the JFF, hence the increased sponsorship.
"We have been watching you and we are pleased with what we see. Continue to represent your-selves well," said Forbes.
