Digicel gives more to top league

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

The Digicel Premier League (DPL) was yesterday given a shot in the arm by title sponsors Digicel in partnership with Research in Motion (RIM), the manufacturers of BlackBerry devices, when they announced an additional sponsorship package of $5.4 million to the Premier League Club Association (PLCA).

Majority of the sponsorship money will go towards the continuation and enhancement of live television coverage of the country's top league, according to the Premier League Club Association vice-chairman, Carvel Stewart.

"The majority of the funds that BlackBerry will contribute will assist us in keeping the premier league on your television screens," Stewart pointed out at a press conference held yesterday at the Jamaica Football Federation headquarters. "Additionally, the balance of funds provided for the sponsorship will go directly to the clubs in the amount of $100,000 to each club."

The PLCA is currently looking to improve the television product with the aim of generating additional financial revenue.

Making sacrifices

"We think that the sacrifices we are now making to grow the television product will result in more significant financial support to the league," he added.

"We see this as an all-round win-win situation and we really look forward to working with the PLCA, along with RIM, to ensure that we continue to help to develop the players and develop the league," head of marketing for Digicel Jamaica, Donovan White, stated.

Richard Bury, carrier market-ing manager of RIM, sees this as a perfect opportunity for his company to get involved in Jamaica .

"We are extremely proud of our partnership with Digicel, the PLCA and the DPL, as it is an opportunity for us as an enterprise to show our involvement at the grass-roots level," Burry said.

Under the partnership, all 12 participating clubs in the Digicel Premier League have selected BlackBerry Ambassadors for their respective communities. All 12 players, along with Stewart, were presented with BlackBerry Torches. The players will also receive training in how to fully utilise the devices.