Mayberry Investments Limited (MIL) has intensified its commitment to the sporting environment with its newly forged partnership with the Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA).

MIL will be the title sponsor for the 2022 Mayberry JABBFA National Senior Championship after handing over the title sponsorship amount of $1.5 million to JABBFA at the signing ceremony this week.

MIL’s Senior Vice-President of Investment Banking Dan Theoc commented on the motivation behind the merger.

“Mayberry has always been a huge proponent of Jamaican sports as a way to empower the youth of the country and uphold the reputation of Jamaica. We also take pleasure in encouraging health and well-being, so, fortunately, this sporting event with that particular appeal has come to us. We have contributed to this significant endeavour because we understand that the championship is utilised by JABBFA to inspire individuals to actively pursue improved health outcomes and to promote wellness and well-being in Jamaica,” Theoc stated.

Kirk Frankson, vice-president of JABBFA, said the organisation is elated about the new partnership and also underscored the importance of MIL’s investment in their initiative.

“We are delighted to have a strong new partner at our side. After our almost three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, we are now able to return stronger with Mayberry as our title sponsor. The return of bodybuilding in Jamaica is largely attributable to Mayberry’s financial investment, and we are now observing how the absence of sports in Jamaica has impacted our country’s physical, mental, and social well-being. As a result, the return of competitions like the Mayberry 2022 JABBFA National Senior Championships will benefit communities all over the country, not just those competing there,” he said.

The competition, which is slated to commence today at the Courtleigh Auditorium, is a fun, family-friendly event that attracts hundreds of fitness enthusiasts, including bodybuilders and powerlifters, wrestlers, karate practitioners, instructors of group fitness classes, personal trainers, and even weekend warriors. Visitors can meet fitness stars, learn about fresh health and wellness goods and services, take advantage of free fitness classes and food demonstrations, watch live fitness competitions, and much more.

The event, which is in partnership with the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), will see more than 70 athletes competing in the Mayberry JABBFA Senior Championships for a cash prize of $60,000 to selected overall category winners.

Secretary general and CEO of JOA Ryan Foster disclosed his expectations of the partnership and noted how it will make a difference.

“Mayberry, a long-term partner of the JOA, has agreed under our agreement to invest $1.5 million in the national championship, which will not only make the championship a reality but ensure that the sport will restart after the long layoff because of the pandemic and also secure the future generation of bodybuilding in Jamaica,” Foster declared.

JABBFA has hosted 59 national championships annually since it was founded in 1947 and considers the championships as not just a bodybuilding competition but an opportunity for 100 competitors to showcase the hard work they have put in, in pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. With the partnership, Mayberry will be jointly commemorating the organisation’s 60th anniversary of the staging of its National Senior Championships.