MONTEGO BAY, St James — President of the St James Netball Association, Eglan Richards, moved closer to his goal of lifting the sport with the nailing of another sponsorship deal for his under-twelve players.

The sponsorship which from Clive Mullings, the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for West Central St James, is valued at J$150,000.

Mullings confirmed the sponsorship deal yesterday.

“I am on top of the world!” an excited Richards told the Observer West.

“This will go towards the prize money and rally expenses and the overall upliftment of the youngsters. We will also be giving a book grant of $10,000 to the individual who turns in the highest performance in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) out of that $150,000,” he said.

Since beating Coach Clint Parkins by 29 votes (39-10) to take over from Winsome Barnes the presidency of the netball association on February 20, Richards has been working hard to secure sponsorship for the game.

Last month he widened the association’s sponsorship base with three new sponsors, namely, Erick Bucknor’s NAPA Autocare Centre, Impack Auto Parts and the Hunger Buster restaurant, who joined exisiting sponsors the Jamaica Public Service, Dream House Products and the Peoples National Party (PNP) Member of Parliament for South St James, Derrick Kellier.

A the the time he expressed his intention to embark on an agressive campaign to secure sponsorship for the game.

“I approached the MP on Monday at the welcome reception for the Mojo6 LPGA tournament and we made the deal. He was delighted to be a part of it,” said Richards.

In the meantime, preparations are underway for the rally to mark the start of the season for the Under-12s and Under-15s next Wednesday the the Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club on River Bay Road.

Richards said that 17 U-12 teams and 6 U-15 teams had confirmed participation.