Jamaica Football Federation hunts kit deal

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

With Jamaica's kit sponsorship deal with Italian sports goods manufacturers, Kappa, nearing an end, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is working around the clock to secure a new one for the national programme, with five leading brands reportedly in talks with the Captain Horace Burrell-led administration.

It was Burrell who put pen to paper in a US$1.7-million two-year deal with the Italians in 2008, one which was said to be the most lucrative in Jamaica's footballing history.

However, this agreement will expire on December 31 this year.

It should be noted that Kappa has retained an option to renew the deal to outfit Jamaica's nine national men's and women's football teams.

At present, Jamaica is the only national football programme that is supported by Kappa, with Italian clubs Roma and Sampdoria, Spain's Valencia, as well as English outfits Fulham and Portsmouth, among their global partners.

Speaking from Mexico, where he is away on official business, Burrell confirmed that negotiations were ongoing with Kappa, as well as several other major sports goods manufacturers.

Kappa gears

He also mentioned that the teams would continue to don Kappa gears, even after the expiration of the current contract, until a new agreement is struck, whether it is with the Italian manufacturers or another company.

"We are continuing to look at a number of options at this point. I'm not able to say much right now, as you can understand, but we are examining a number of options going forward," said Burrell. "We are talking to a number of equipment manufacturers and as soon as we are in a position to confirm a new deal either way, then we will be more prepared to go into details. Until such time, we will continue to wear the Kappa brand."

no rush

While stating that, though, Burrell underlined that his administration was looking out for the best possible deal and would not rush the process.

"There are about five interested companies at this point, and I can say that we have been talking to some of the top brands and the reception has been largely positive so far. We see this as a good opportunity for our potential sponsors, and it can certainly be a mutually beneficial agreement," Burrell stated. "We don't really have a time line in terms of signing the deal, we just have to continue the negotiations until we are able to land a new deal - the best one we can find."

He added: "What we have to remember is that Jamaica is a small country and, as such, we have to be grateful to whosoever takes the decision to become a kit provider because, unlike countries like Mexico, USA and Canada, where there are huge populations, we have, comparatively speaking, a very small population, and unless you are exceptional as it relates to your performance, acquiring kit sponsorship is not necessarily the easiest thing to do."