MONTEGO BAY, St James — The cash-strapped St James Football Association received a well-needed shot in the arm when they were surprised by an unexpected increase in the sponsorship of the Captain’s Bakery and Grill Knockout at the official launch at the Montego Bay branch of the bakery yesterday morning.

The short ceremony was almost over when the CEO of the Captain’s Bakery, Captain Horace Burrell, made the announcement to the surprise of the St James FA officials and the clubs that had attended the launch.

Captain Burrell announced the total sponsorship would move from $300,000 to $500,000 for the fifth staging of the KO that will see the winner advance to the Jamaica Football Federation’s Flow All-island Knockout next year.

The increase in the sponsorship will result in an increase in prize monies with the winners set to take home $90,000, the runners-up $60,000, Third place $40,000 and fourth place $30,000.

Prior to the announcement, president of the St James FA, George Evans, had lauded Burrell’s involvement in football in various parishes and said if his company were to pull out, then many of these FA’s would be forced to shut down.

Evans said that many corporate entities have used the global economic meltdown “as an excuse” not to be involved in football sponsorship, including someof whom were involved earlier.

— Paul Reid