Gran Bahia Principe were the big winners at the presentation ceremony for the Sandals St Ann/St Mary Business House Football Competition, held at Sandals Ochi Beach Resort on Thursday.

Team Manager Stacy Benjamin and coach Marcus Johnson received the Sandals Resorts International Trophy from Brian Roper, general manager of Beaches Ocho Rios, to thunderous applause from the audience, made up in the main of members of the local football fraternity.

“We were tired of silver… being runners-up the past few years, and last season it was winning the trophy or bust for us,” said an ecstatic Johnson. “This team has been a joy to coach and we look forward to further success come next season,” he noted.

Roper, in delivering the sponsor’s address, stressed his company’s commitment to providing opportunities for the youth and unemployed in the community.

“This competition has allowed many young unemployed footballers to gain employment at the hotels and other business enterprises who are a part of the event and that speaks volumes to how serious we take our role as good corporate citizens,” Roper said.

“We have been sponsors for 24 years and will continue to show the community that we care, not just in football but by our charity actions through the Sandals Foundation,” he added.

Guest speaker, Michael Belnavis, mayor of St Ann’s Bay, also lauded Sandals for their continued sponsorship of the event, and praised their role as civic leaders by providing opportunities for young people.

The mayor disclosed that the St Ann Parish Council was currently in talks with Sandals as a group to assist with the upgrading of the Buckfield Community Centre.

Mayor Belnavis also pointed out that his organisation was looking at creating more partnerships with business establishments to assist in the development of sports as well as the local community.