President of multi-time champions Caribbean Classics Domino Team Rupert Pryce is excited by the prospects of a new corporate sponsorship that he believes will lift the profile of the game in Jamaica.

Pryce and other local players say the Dragon Stout World Dominoes Championships will put the game on the sporting map.

“I welcome Dragon Stout on board as the first major corporate sponsor of the league. Dominoes is a sport I’ve enjoyed playing for many years, but it has also been a sport that many have not taken seriously, and as a result lacked sponsorship,” said Pryce. “Dragon will change that.”

Recognising that for many Jamaicans, dominoes is much more than a pastime, Dragon Stout decided to partner with the Jamaica Domino Council Association to host the first-ever World Dominoes Championships. The brand will sponsor the current national league, bringing all leagues together for the first time to vie for the world title.

“Being a part of the regional winning team for four consecutive years, I’m really appreciative that Dragon Stout has come on board, not only to add to the international aspects that the association has always envisioned, but also to give teams an opportunity to hold an official title such as Dragon Stout World Domino Champion,” commented Pryce.

The Dragon Stout brand has championed the game with the goal of uniting communities, with a sponsorship of approximately $3.5 million in prizes for the league and championship.

“Dragon Stout is an authentic Jamaican innovation, so aligning with the Jamaica Domino Council Association, the Portmore, Western and Portland Leagues was a natural avenue to connect with our roots by engaging persons through one of the county’s favourite games,” said Imru James, brand manager for Stouts and Malta at Red Stripe.

“The local domino league is a competitive one, and this tournament will highlight the veterans while giving newcomers to the competitive scene a platform to excel with a major prize and title.”

The current landscape of the Domino League is divided into five regions comprising the Portmore League, Western League, St Elizabeth League, Eastern League, and the Kingston League. All teams within the five leagues will do battle for the number one spot to see who can acquire the title as the first- ever ‘Dragon Stout World Domino Champion’.

The competition begins with a media launch, scheduled for tomorrow in Kingston. The ultimate champion will emerge after semi-finals and finals scheduled for May 2018.