DESPITE mourning the tragic death of four of its employees, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) brought good tidings to the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) yesterday when it announced a $23-million sponsorship deal for the nation’s top league.

In addressing a press function at the JFF offices yesterday, CHEC’s regional communications manager Jennifer Armond said she had mixed emotions following the shooting deaths of four company workers during a payroll robbery in Bowers Wood in St Catherine on Sunday.

“Today on one hand my heart is filled with joy in being able to donate $23 million on behalf of China Harbour Engineering Company towards the great sport of football,” said Armond.

“On the other hand, our company is greatly saddened by Sunday’s ruthless killings of four people affiliated with one of our project sites,” she added.

CHEC, a fortune 500 company, is in its third year of sponsoring football in Jamaica, bringing their total spend to $73 million.

“This is the third consecutive year that CHEC has supported the PLCA and it has been a fun and interesting journey,” said Armond.

CHEC will also continue their monthly Starballer based on the number of games played; positive impact on an individual team; disciplinary record, goal scored and goal shutouts (goalkeepers). Each StarBaller is presented with a plaque and $30,000. In addition there will also be a CHEC Star Coach award for each round. Last year, Anthony Patrick of Waterhouse won two of the three rounds.

Meanwhile, in the absence of PLCA chairman Edward Seaga, who is said to be down with chikungunya, general manager Andrew Price welcomed the sponsorship deal.

“We really want to thank China Harbour for their significant contribution in a period of economic hardships… and we really appreciate it,” said Price, also the head coach of Boys’ Town.

Jamaica Football Federation president Captain Horace Burrell showered praise on sponsors of the league, namely Red Stripe, CHEC, Justbet, Busta, JUTC, Citizen Security and Justice programme and KLAS ESPN.

“I want to thank all the sponsors who have continued their support of the sport. These sponsors have their minds in the right place because believe it or not, there is no other endeavour in this country which could impact their product than football,” said Burrell.