THE Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) yesterday unveiled three associate sponsors as it inches closer to a full launch of the 2011/12 football season.

Jamaica National Building Society (JN), Jamaica Public Service Company Limited (JPS) and Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), through its brand JustBet, were officially identified as sponsors of the front of team shirts at a press conference at the Knutsford Court Hotel in Kingston.

The value of each sponsorship is $10 million, but the duration of the deals was not revealed. However, PLCA chairman Edward Seaga, who also heads the Professional Football Association of Jamaica (PFAJ), said that due to the present financial constraints the PLCA had to do some things differently this time around with new innovations, which will not have a title sponsor on the front of team shirts. Previously the title sponsor had sole access to the front of team shirts.

Under the new dispensation, the PLCA will be looking to solicit sponsorship branding on the shirt sleeves and shorts, while the individual clubs will have access to arrange private sponsorship deals on the back of the shirts.

According to Seaga, though the league is set to kick off on Sunday with a full slate of six matches, the title sponsorship is yet to be concluded due to certain “conditionalities” which have to be ironed out.

The former prime minister declared that until the title sponsorship is settled, the competition will be known as the National Premier League.

It is expected that another press conference could be called later this week to unveil the beverages, rehydration, equipment and media partners.

Jamaica Football Federation President Captain Horace Burrell lauded the Seaga-led PLCA for its determination in aggressively soliciting sponsorship for the nation’s premier football competition.

He also took the opportunity to commend the under-fire Jamaica Public Service for giving back to the country through football.

Said Burrell: “Another excellent partnership has been forged between corporate Jamaica and local football, one which is sure to contribute to further improvements in the quality, standard, visibility and marketability of the league.”

Leon Mitchell, assistant general manager and head of marketing at Jamaica National, said the society’s involvement in this year’s competition is in recognition of the NPL as the main foundation on which the country’s success in football has been built.

“We recognise the immense value that this competition has had in building the country’s most popular sporting game. It has also provided us with some of the best football entertainment — cutting across social, political and economic barriers to unite us as communities and as a nation, time and again.” This value, he added, must now be translated into financial support for the activities of the NPL and Jamaica National will join with those who are willing to become financial stakeholders in the league.

Mitchell revealed that his company has established a Premier League Clubs Association account: 108-56-779 as its first step in that direction and has also seeded this account with $50,000, while extending an invitation to all to demonstrate their support through donations.

Commenting on JPS’s involvement, president and CEO Damian Obliglio said: “JPS’, sponsorship is but one of the many ways in which the company shows its commitment to community and sports development in Jamaica. From community leagues to the national programmes, JPS is pleased to assist our sportsmen in shining on the local and international stages. For us as JPS, this sponsorship is one more opportunity to support a national institution, which means much to us all.”

And speaking on JustBet’s sponsorship of the league, SVL’s senior marketing officer Andrei Roper said: “JustBet partnership with the National Premier League provides us with another exciting and dynamic platform to continue to expose and market our JustBet sports betting brand. With football being our most popular sport for betting and fans of local football being among our most avid JustBet players, this partnership is a natural fit. In addition, this sponsorship also allows us to play our part in the marketing and development of local football.”

It is to be noted, however, that there will be no wagering on local National Premier League matches.

Seaga’s Tivoli Gardens will begin the defence of their title when they welcome Montego Bay United to the Edward Seaga Complex on Sunday in one of six matches.

Sunday’s fixture also see Waterhouse entertaining Highgate United, Arnett Gardens visit Village United, Portmore United welcome Sporting Central Academy, Boys’ Town are at home to Reno and Humble Lions visit Harbour View.