THE sponsorship impasse surrounding the seventh staging of the Jamaica International Invitational track and field meet set for the National Stadium tomorrow has been resolved.

Chairman of the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) David Mais yesterday confirmed with the Observer that his organisation will contribute their originally stated sponsorship figure of US$300,000, or $27 million, to the meet.

“The arrangement that is in place remains at the levels as announced by the Honourable Minister (of Sports, Olivia Grange) which is US$300,000 on the proviso that this in fact, is required,” Mais told the Observer.

“I can tell you that there were a number of meetings that took place (with SDF, JAAA and JNBS), which certainly provided the forum for frank… discussions and that helped the resolution of the issues that we saw,” Mais added.

His comments came two weeks after SDF deputy chairman Bunny Pommells was reported to have said the SDF contribution could be significantly reduced, following the announcement that Jamaica National Building Society was title sponsor of the meet.

When contacted for his take on the latest development, president of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA), Howard Aris — who also chairs the organising committee for the IAAF Area Permit Meet — said: “No comment.”

It is understood the SDF was not pleased about their non-inclusion in negotiations with meet organisers the JAAA and new title sponsors Jamaica National after it had invested US$300,000 in the meet for the past seven years.

“Although in fairness Mr Aris was asked to remain silent and keep it very confidential at the time, there are some things you can’t keep from your partner,” Mais reasoned, noting that time was needed to sort out the matter.

“If the new contributions were such that our contribution could have been reduced and that we then could have been able to take funds and contribute to or invest in other projects, then that would be very welcome and in fact, that is something we hope in time is going to happen with this meet,” the SDF chairman added, noting that they applaud the support of corporate companies to the annual event.

In the meantime, Mais rubbished suggestions that the SDF, a government body, was seeking publicity for their contribution to the JII meet.

“At no time have we sought to make this an SDF event as you can recall, so that to us is not a paramount issue. It is important for the country to understand and recognise that when we are making such a significant contribution, that this is indeed coming from us on behalf of Jamaica, and that connection must always be kept paramount,” he added.