Sponsors back JABA's 2012 Olympic thrust

Saturday, November 21, 2009 5:21 AM

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By Livingston Scott Observer staff reporter

Sunday, June 21, 2009

RESPECTIVE local restaurant and communication giants Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Flow have combined with the Sport Development Foundation (SDF) to empower the Jamaica Basketball Association (JABA) in the quest to qualify for its first Olympic Games in London in 2012.

The new Ajani Williams-led JABA launched the 'Road to London 2012 Olympics' at the Hilton Hotel yesterday and will take its first step towards qualification when Team Jamaica seek a top-three spot in the June 28 to July 4 Caribbean Basketball Championship to be held in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.

Sports Minister Olivia Grange (centre) accepts a symbolic cheque from basketball president Ajani Williams (right) on behalf of sponsors KFC during the 'Road to London 2012 Olympics' launch at the Hilton Hotel Friday. To Grange's left is Flow's director of marketing Sharon Roper, while KFC's marketing director Tina Matalon is at 2nd right. SDF chairman David Mais (background) looks on. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

According to Williams, local basketball is moving into a new era and the success of the team is important on the road to progress and development.

He said they were not just looking for a victory in the Caribbean event, but also wanted a victory for their new global brand 'Team Jamaica'.

If the country is successful at the Caribbean Championship, they will advance to the Centro Basketball event, from which they can progress to the World Championships then to the Olympics, and Williams is confident that with the sponsors support, plus the assembling of top quality players and administrators, they are on their way to creating history.

"We see an expansion of our NBL and... our glory in the Olympics... But this can't be done alone and that's why we're grateful to our sponsors and the unending support of the Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, as without them this would not have been possible," Williams declared.
"This is a new 180º turn and it's a collective process by many people," he added.

Director of marketing for Flow, Sharon Roper, said the sport of basketball is a growing one "that is ready to burst on the scene in terms of popularity and appeal".

She added: "We know that it has a growing audience space and that was one of the reasons why we were keen to get involved and partner with the Basketball Association."

The Jamaican team will boast the likes of All-American and Louisville star, Samardo Samuels; Cedarville's Christopher Walker; Kimani Friend; Ortiseweyinmi Ofejuku; Ricardo Alliman and Damion Staple, who were present at the launch.

However, a number of players, such as Jerome Jordan, were not available for selection due to earlier commitments. But according to Williams, the team can only get better going forward.

Tina Myers-Matalon, managing director of KFC, said her company, which has sponsored all forms of the sport locally and has been the title sponsors of the NBL since its inception five season ago, will not return in that capacity this year but will help finance JABA's 'Road to London' campaign.

"KFC has a 13-year relationship with basketball, contributing to the game at all levels. There's nothing we haven't done in the sport of basketball," she stated.

SDF chairman David Mais said the coming together of the three entities to support the project gave the sport a positive outlook for the future.

Grange, meanwhile, said it was going to be a challenge for Jamaica to qualify for the Olympic tournament, but getting financial backing was going to be crucial to its chances.
"It takes cash to care, so while we applaud good intentions, we know that we're going to need money and so I really like to thank the sponsors for stepping up to showing their commitment to Jamaica by assisting Team Jamaica's basketball programme," she said.

The team will now undergo an intense one-week training under new coach Sam Vincent at the National Indoor Sports Centre through to next Thursday when they leave for Tortola.

In the absence of Vincent at the launch, assistant coach Paul Mokeski said although it is the off-season, Vincent will certainly put his players through a rigorous preparation.

"He's a coach who likes to push the ball and run up and down the court and attack the rim, and to do that you must be in shape. So I know it's the off-season but I hope you're in some kind of shape because Vincent will find out soon," he warned the players.

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