MONTEGO BAY, St James — Media oulet Mello FM and Mellow TV on Wednesday announced a $7 million sponsorship of Montego Bay United’s hosting of the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) first round Group Three qualifying tournament in Montego Bay February 24-28 at a press conference held at Hotel Grandiosa in Montego Bay.

In handing over his company’s sponsorship cheque to Montego Bay United’s president Orville Powell, Al Robinson, Chief Executive Officer for

Mello, said they were committed to ensuring the three-team, three-match day event would be successful and “football will be a big winner”.

Mello’s sponsorship will include live broadcast on both radio and television of the three games in the competition, advertising in print media as well as organisation of the entertainment package that will be included on game days, Robinson outlined.

Montego Bay United, who finished third in the Caribbean Football Union Club Championships last season and qualified for the CONCACAF Club Championships on their first effort, won the right to host their first-round group and games, with games set to be played at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

The two-time Red Stripe Premier League finalists have been drawn in a tough first-round group which includes top Trinidad team Central FC, the Caribbean Football Union’s club champions, and Scholars International of the Cayman Islands.

Unlike last year when only Montego Bay United represented Jamaica, two teams will play this season with defending Red Stripe Premier League champions Arnett Gardens drawn in Group Four and will play their first round in the Dominican Republic where they will face hosts Club Atletico Pantoja, America FC (Haiti) and SV Notch (Suriname).

Only one team will advance from each group to the Caribbean Football Union finals to be held in late April where three teams will qualify for next season’s CONCACAF Club Championships.

Powell told the

Jamaica Observer that it would cost the club in excess of $12 million to host the group and they had been given US$32,000 (approximately J$3.8 million) by the CFU as they will be responsible for the two visiting teams’ accommodation, meals and transportation, as well as the officials who will take part in the tournament.

Powell promised that the organising committee would “put on a show to the rest of Jamaica and to the world”. “They will see what we have to offer…

Mello TV will give us the opportunity to take the brand worldwide,” he added.

Sandra Christie, Chief Operations Officer at Montego Bay United, said the club took the decision to bid to host the first-round group after their experiences playing in Haiti last year where they won the group.

“It was difficult for us and after what we had to endure just getting to the games, we took the decision that we had to bid to host this first-round group and we know it will be successful,” she said.

Montego Bay United will take on Scholars International in the opening game on February 24, two days later Central FC and Scholars will meet, while Montego Bay United and Central will meet on the final night, Sunday February 28.