The Observer was among three more associate sponsors of the National Premier League (NPL) that were revealed yesterday by the Premier league Clubs Association (PLCA), just three days before the scheduled kick-off on Sunday.

Still, there was no announce of the title and main sponsor.

The Observer, Fruta and Wisynco joined the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) and Supreme Ventures through its JustBet brand as official associate sponsors that were announced last Tuesday to the tune of $30m.

Wisynco’s commitment is $10 million, while Fruta has aagreed to inject $5 million.

The Observer, who is the official print media partner of the PLCA, did not give a dollar value for its input.

The newspaperwill provide a page designated to the PLCA every week along with publishing the monthly football magazine Striker in an effort to keep fans up-to-date with happenings in the league.

Keerene Carty, Observer’s assistant advertising manager, said her company has been a proud supporter of the Premier League for many years.

“As a good corporate citizen this is one of the many ways in giving back to the communities which have supported us, the number one newspaper in Jamaica,” said Carty.

KLASS FM and NewsTalk 93 were also revealed as the non-exclusive media partners.

Wisynco, through its brands Wata and Powerade, is the official water and isotonic provider of the league .

Francois Chalifour, Wisynco’s director of marketing, said his organisation is very happy to be a part of the league once again.

“The nature of our sponsorship is all about hydration; we are supporting the teams with water, our Wata brand and a new product in Powerade,” said Chalifour.

“Each team will get 100 case of Wata every month for the entire season, while the teams will get the Powerade powder which can be mixed with water,” he noted.

“We will be at the games as well also trying to hydrate other Jamaicans that will be at the games as well as we try and improve the lives of our people,” he added.

Fruta, the official beverage and juice provider, is in the second of their three-year sponsorship.

Richard Bailey, Fruta’s general mananger of sales, said his company will provide 150 cases of Fruta each month to each team.

“Following the sponsorship with our brand Fruta last season we saw an advancement of the awareness of Fruta. We look forward to this year to be a very successful year, not only for the Premier League, but Fruta to develop the brand,” said Bailey.

As usual there will be the Fruta Man of the Match award and last season that winner walked away with $5,000. Plus patrons will have the chance of wining the Fruta grab bags. There will also be a specially reduced prices for vendors to purchase the drink to sell at the games.

Meanwhile, chairman of the PLCA Edward Seaga, said following the announcement of the associate sponsors on Tuesday, it was time for the media and drinks sponsors to take the spotlight.

“Wata and Fruta are two products that the PLCA helped to maximise their products. When Wata came on board it didn’t enjoy the support in the areas that football is played in and in a matter of a couple years the figures showed that they are maxing out,” said Seaga, a former Prime Minister of Jamaica.

“When we seek sponsors we are not asking for charitable hand outs, we are asking for them to buy our service. Our service is to help you develop your brand,” he said.

President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell, thanked the current sponsors, as he implored wider corporate Jamaica to give back to the communities and the clubs.

“I am really hopeful that the examples set by these sponsors will (encourage others) to join hands and come to the fore and support the clubs, more so the companies located in the respective areas — the bauxite companies, the many hotels, please give a helping hand,” he urged.

“The honourable Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart has come back on board, but there are many hotel chains enjoying the profits and benefits and not giving back,” Burrell added.