Ja seek funding to stage Junior Squash Champs
WITH less than two months to go, the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) is looking to make up a $1-million shortfall in sponsorship to stage the Caribbean Area Squash Associations (CASA) Junior Championships.
The tournament, which is the premier event in the regional junior squash calendar, is scheduled for July 20-26 at Liguanea Club in New Kingston.
The prestigious competition will be contested by 120 junior athletes from eight Caribbean countries. The line-up of players will include the brightest young squash stars from Jamaica and the rest of the region. The athletes will compete in four age groups and a team competition.
While host nation Jamaica will be seeking glory on their home court, they will have to get past the defending champions, regional powerhouse, Guyana, and fight off spirited challenges from Trinidad & Tobago, Cayman Islands and Bermuda.
With preparations moving into high gear, JSA has already secured some amount of support in both cash and kind. However, an additional $1 million is urgently needed to stage the event.
“The Caribbean Junior Squash Championships is an ideal vehicle for companies that are looking to align their brand with an event that will attract a wide cross section of spectators and supporters from Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean,” said JSA President Major John Nelson.
“This event will deliver positive brand association with a sport that is growing in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean, as well as strong brand visibility and positioning particularly in the youth market,” he added.
The list of sponsors so far includes Supreme Ventures Ltd, JMMB, Chad Tyres, NEM, and Sun Island. In addition, several food and beverage providers are giving support, including GraceKennedy, Burger King, Dominoes Pizza, Island Grill, Chas E Ramson, Jamaica Macaroni Co, Wisynco, Sun Island, CB Chicken, Jamaica Broilers, Mega Mart, and Honey Bun.
“We are pleased that a number of companies have seen the tournament as an attractive sponsorship opportunity; however, we’re urging more local organisations to come on board and take advantage of this unique marketing vehicle,” Nelson said.
