EVEN as negotiations continue between the national senior male footballers and Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) over player remuneration, the Reggae Boyz made donations to three entities yesterday.

Jamaica’s footballers gave $100,000 to Special Olympics Jamaica (SOJ) to fund its football programme; $100,000 to Mannings Boys’ Home; and 50,000 to Glenhope Nursery.

Raymond Grant, the JFF general secretary, said though the Reggae Boyz and the national governing football body are still locked in talks over the awarding of monetary incentives, players remain steadfast in their support to entities in need.

“They saw it fit to collectively pool resources to assist in this regard,” he told the Jamaica Observer during the presentation at the JFF’s base in New Kingston.

“What we are seeing today is as a result of that collective approach, and it is something that the federation continues to endorse and we are very proud.

“The JFF is not only here participating in sporting activity. We also have our outreach programmes and as part of this we seek to assist, not only individuals, but other sporting organisations. It is something they have been doing on an ongoing basis to support the less fortunate,” the JFF general secretary continued.

Grant said discussions continue with the players after a possible boycott, reportedly over a payment dispute, was averted just ahead of the start of the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup, jointly hosted by United States and Canada.

“It’s a continuing discussion within the relationship. We continue to discuss with our players what is best for the players and what is best for the federation. Going forward we will continue to discuss as a family what is the best approach.”

“As part of what they saw fit for themselves and for the JFF and the programme in general is to contribute from those funds they have received. It is a positive take from the players and something we cannot take for granted. The fact is that it is their funds and they decide as it relates to what they contribute toward …and it is something that I think is very good,” he explained.

At the Gold Cup, Jamaica’s players indicated their dissatisfaction with incentives put forward by the JFF by not showing for a training session at the Stubhub Centre in California ahead of their tournament opener against Costa Rica.

A short-term agreement was reached and they attended training the following day. They went on to draw 2-2 with Costa Rica before topping the group en route to a first-ever Gold Cup final where they lost to Mexico.

Along the way, they beat the United States 2-1 in the semi-finals in Georgia. It was the first win for Jamaica against USA in that country.

–Sanjay Myers