NETBALL Jamaica’s (NJ) road to the South Africa Netball World Cup received a massive boost with the Government of Jamaica pledging an additional $10 million to the Sunshine Girls team for this year’s tournament.

President of NJ Tricia Robinson said her organisation is grateful for the assistance from the Government but took the opportunity to inform that an additional $20 million is needed to send the team to the championships which will be held July 28-August 6.

“I am very happy because they have reduced our target by $10 million and so we are now at a $20-million shortfall and so we are imploring corporate Jamaica to come on board and support us,” said Robinson during Friday’s press briefing at the Summit in Kingston.

“We are going to do well in Cape Town, South Africa, and we certainly want Jamaica to come on board and celebrate with us on this journey,” Robinson said.

Sunshine Girls, who are ranked fourth in the world, won a historic silver medal at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, in August — and that achievement is driving the belief that a podium finish in South Africa is a goal within reach.

“We are a very strong team heading into Cape Town and I am confident that we will be on the podium, and therefore we need all the support that we can get going into this championships,” she said.

Minister of SportOlivia “Babsy” Grange said her Government is happy to be providing additional support to the Sunshine Girls, expressing that the State remains committed to helping with the development of all sports in Jamaica.

“I felt that it was necessary to give them all the support that was possible from my end. They have good support from the private sector, and I felt [that] as [the] Government that we must also step up to the plate,” Grange said.

“Giving them the additional $10 million will assist them tremendously, because remember that they have to deal with nutrition, they have to deal with their travel expenses, their airfare, their subsistence, and just to be well-prepared to go to South Africa,” she added.

The sports minister further shared that the Government will also be providing support to the Reggae Girlz, who are set to compete in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament from July 20 to August 20 in Australia.

“We are going to be giving the Reggae Girlz support as well, so it is important. And I think that at this particular time our women have excelled and they are doing exceptionally well in track and field, in netball and football, so it is important that we boost their resources and give them the best opportunity that can be given to them in order for them to continue to excel and to go from strength to strength,” Grange ended.