Last week Thursday, the Lasco Group of companies became one of the latest entities to join the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) family when they inked a deal worth $28 million over four years.

Chairman of Jamaica Rugby Football, Jerry Benzwick is one of the happiest persons in Jamaica as a result of this new union.

Speaking at the press conference when the partnership was announced, he said that it was fate that had resulted in the great things that are happening in sports at the JOA at the moment.

“There are no accidents just simple truths or possibly fate, maybe destiny if you wish, because where is fate or destiny most expressed when we speak of events but in sports,” he stated.

Benzwick highlighted the time line between his ascension to the post of Chairman of Ruby and the new JOA and the success of rugby in Jamaica.

“It was no accident that my tenure as chairman of the Jamaica Rugby Football began in 2016. Our U-19 boys who won their first championship and our senior women and men qualified for the Hong Kong 7’s and we announced rugby is here.

“It was no accident that 2017 saw the JOA usher in a new president with a new vision. It is no accident that his mission and mine have one underlining theme, winning. It was no accident that when we asked the JOA to step in, they did and we did as promised… we won.

“It was no accident that we made history and qualified for the Commonwealth Games. It was no accident that we qualified for the Rugby World Cup 7’s and boasted the youngest player at the Rugby World Cup to score a try.”

Since 2016 rugby has been going from strength to strength with accompanying international success. As the Jamaican teams compete on the international stage, new ground continues to be broken and history continues to be made.

“It was no accident the JOA pledged their support for a sport that was otherwise unknown in Jamaica yet has a bronze medal at the CAC Games this year. It is no accident that rugby has qualified for the Hong Kong 7’s, three years in a row and has created history again by qualifying for the PANAM Games 2019.

“I believe it’s no accident that at this time a corporate giant such as LASCO has come on board to be a part of this chapter in our sporting history, it’s no accident, fate or destiny.

“I speak on behalf of the rugby union family, they live and breathe rugby and they demand much of us who lead them because they know that the fate of rugby is to be a leading sport in Jamaica.

“They believe our success should be similar to LASCO, and from this partnership with the JOA it can only mean that fate has brought us all together for a greater purpose. Now it’s up to us to embrace this and fulfil our destiny.

“We are grateful to the JOA for its support and excited about the possibilities that this partnership with LASCO will bring,” he concluded.

Lasco’s sponsorship will help to fuel the “10 in 20” JOA Olympic dream but will also extend beyond the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

—Dwayne Richards