JAMAICAN SOCCER received a welcome financial boost when China-based engineering firm China Harbour agreed a one-year, J$22 million (US$250,000) package with the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) to sponsor the country's Red Stripe Premier League.
In July, the company donated US$20,000 to the Jamaica Olympic Association to aid its preparations for London 2012 – and the success of the country's Olympic team helped shape the above decision, the company said.
"We became a sponsor because we believe in Jamaica and it's enormous potential, and the Jamaican Olympic team showed that they were deserving of our sponsorship and that of other corporate entities," said Zhongdong Tang, regional and country manager of China Harbour Engineering Company.
As a part of the sponsorship package, China Harbour will introduce a monthly J$30,000 (US$337) award – “the China Harbour Star Baller of the Month”.
PLCA chairman Edward Seaga told the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper that the deal could not have come at a better time for the cash-strapped, 12-club league. "It is a very significant sponsorship package; it is not every day that you pick up a sponsor of this level," he said.
"The majority of the funds should be for salaries of players, and we know that many players will breathe easier [as a result]."
A subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company, China Harbour has 40 overseas branches and offices with business activities covering more than 70 countries and regions.
The company is engaged in a number of multi-billion dollar projects in Jamaica.
By Matthew Glendinning
Follow Matthew on Twitter: @mattglen