Umbro to sponsor 12 RSPL players

Twelve players, one from each Red Stripe Premier League team, will be sponsored by British sports gear maker Umbro next season.

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president Michael Ricketts praised Umbro for taking this decision, after what he said was months of negotiations regarding the partnership between the two entities.

"Actually, what happened here is that we have managed to have asked Umbro, and they have positively responded to sponsor at least one player from each of our 12 Premier League teams, at least for the next season."

The announcement was made by Ricketts last night after signing a contract which will see Umbro provide the men's and women's national teams in all age groups with jerseys and other equipment over the next four years.

The contract, worth $US4 million (around J$503 million), was signed in Panama last night at an outlet of Flex Pro, Umbro's distributor in the country. JFF vice-president Bruce Gaynor, general secretary Dalton Wint and Flex Pro's director Alberto Bassan were in attendance for the event.

Bassan said that Umbro is willing to offer any necessary support to Jamaican football.

"We have a contractual obligation and we are happy to be able to support 12 different players of different teams," he said. "We want to be able to give them all the necessary implements they need to perform - to also be able to have the implements for the league as well, and team wear. We will definitely be open to supporting any important cause for Jamaican football."

The national team's sponsorship will break down into $US100,000 (about J$12.5 million) per year in jersey and cash incentive, with annual incremental increases based on the teams' performance in international tournaments.

The JFF said that the new jerseys will be launched next year.