Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell, signs the $100m deal with Air Jamaica whose chairman, Gordon "Butch" Stewart (left) and other Air Jamaica executives watch during the press conference at the JFF headquarters yesterday. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer THE JAMAICA Football Federation (JFF) yesterday landed what is estimated to be a $100m deal with national carrier Air Jamaica.
Signatures to the multi-million dollar four-year agreement were affixed by Captain Horace Burrell, the JFF president, and Air Jamaica chairman, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, during a press conference at the Federation's New Kingston headquarters.
"This relationship over the next four years is worth to the JFF 100 million dollars," said Stewart. "The tickets will be ready when you are.
"We're excited the football federation is now on board Air Jamaica. What's good for Jamaica is good for Air Jamaica," he added.
Under the sponsorship arrangement, the national airline will fly the country's football teams at what Burrell and Stewart assured were vastly reduced prices along their service routes.
The JFF had benefitted under a similar deal with American Airlines during their last two World Cup campaigns and at yesterday's meeting, both top executives said the new terms are significantly better.
"This is a very special day for football. For many years people have been asking where's Air Jamaica in the national football programme. The time has come," said Burrell.
He added: "This deal is a much better deal. We'll have to pay what may be considered a small service charge. Air Jamaica has shared the vision to partner us and the JFF is indeed grateful.
"The Reggae Boyz are not on top today and Air Jamaica has seen it fit to come on board. That is truly commendable. It shows that you're not a wagonist," said Burrell.
Stewart noted the same point, saying "we're coming in at a time when you're not on a high as before".
This was the case leading up to France '98.
The JFF's main goal now is to qualify their flagship team, the Reggae Boyz, for the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany.
"If you get near Germany we'll put on some special flights," Stewart said, outlining possible routes from London to Germany.
Stewart also said: "Football has been an inspiration. It has shown a lot of people in Jamaica what can hapen... to show that we can get to certain places."
Apart from the sponsorship, Burrell congratulated the national Under-17 and women's football teams for recent victories overseas, as well as the "...JAAA (Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association), LOC (Local Organising Committee) and government for staging a very successful IAAF/Coca Cola World Junior Championship.
At that point in his speech, he singled out Papa Diack, son of IAAF president Lamine of Senegal, who was present at the function.
