The Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) has struck a partnership deal worth $20 million with Starlight Production Limited, which now makes the company the official event management partner of the island’s parent body for sports.

“Our partnership is expected, in the first instance, to span four years. The JOA has committed to engaging exclusively Starlight Productions for all marketing and promotional activities being hosted by the JOA — such as Olympic Day, Olympic Mingles, press conferences, Olympic Order, or where the JOA serves as the title sponsor through its member associations,” disclosed Ryan Foster, CEO of the JOA, at the press conference on Thursday at Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston.

He added: “As one of our preferred partners, they will provide the JOA with a contract value of $20m in cash and service products.

“Starlight will provide up to 10 per cent discount to members of the JOA and member associations on Starlight Production services. The deal does not stop there, as Starlight will be our key partner in the execution of our Olympic Manor in Japan, as well as the Commonwealth Manor in Birmingham 2022,” highlighted Foster.

Foster noted that the JOA had engaged Arjune “OJ” Bewley, Starlight Productions’ owner and principal director, about their vision for sports and the organisation. He pointed out that as a result of this partnership, JOA will be raising the profile of itscorporate events and local and international event executions in line with global standards.

Bewley said: “It is an honour and a pleasure for Starlight Production Limited to partner with the Jamaica Olympic Association as they continue to manifest their vision for Jamaica and for our athletes. We launch this partnership while the JOA prepares for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics where, with the support of Starlight Production and other partners and sponsors, Jamaica is pushing for representation in a minimum of 10 sports. This would be a first for Jamaica and the JOA.

“When we were given the opportunity to partner with the Jamaica Olympic Association for the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics we were humbled and ecstatic, to say the least. We see this relationship as an opportunity to contribute to the development of sports, culture and entertainment in Jamaica in a substantial way. We would like to thank the JOA for including us as a production partner, and we look forward to great things together,” added Bewley, whose company has been responsible for a host of leading productions, including JMMB’s 25th anniversary celebrations at the National Arena, and Powerful Men and Women Perform for Charity.

Leading sporting personalities gave the deal their blessings.

“Thank you, Starlight Productions Limited; thank you for your involvement which, I’m sure, will encourage other organisations within corporate Jamaica to jump on board. Thanks for supporting Team Jamaica and Brand Jamaica; thanks for giving athletes who have the will to win an opportunity to expose their talents,” said Shaun Barnes, joint men’s captain of Jamaica’s CAC Games team which competed in record numbers and in a multiplicity of sports.

Chris Hind, president, Jamaica Squash Association, said: “Congratulations on an excellent partnership.”

Hind highlighted that while squash is not an Olympic sport, his association receives tremendous support from the JOA, including financial backing for its leading player Chris Binnie, and for teams sent to major tournaments such as the Commonwealth and CAC Games, plus money for equipment for junior outreach to inner-city children.