Garth Gayle, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), acknowledged that while his organisation is aware of proposals made by global sports manufacturers, they are committed to honouring their current deal with Puma.

Nationwide News reported on Wednesday that Adidas has proposed investing over J$5.7 billion into Jamaica’s track and field sponsorship over the next eight years. Under this proposal, the German sports manufacturer aims to provide close to US$3 million (J$441 million) annually in cash to the JAAA for eight years.

However, Gayle told Observer Online on Thursday that they are currently under contract with Puma and therefore cannot discuss sponsorship matters with other companies.

“It cannot be discussed at the level of the JAAA because simply, we are in a contract and we have to abide by all the principles that govern that contract,” said Gayle.

“I know that you will all appreciate that we have to be mindful and careful in how we operate,” he said.

“I think that I do accept that what I am telling you is what I have knowledge of and so we are in contract,” Gayle asserted.

It is understood that the JAAA’s current sponsorship agreement with Puma is set to expire in November of this year. Despite the significant proposal from Adidas, Gayle remains firm that the organisation will uphold its commitment to Puma.

“There are no rivals. We abide by the principles of an existing contract and that is what we currently enjoy and that is what we are going to be respectful to the current contract that we have and there is no need for anything more,” he said.

Meanwhile, the German company has detailed its plans in its document not only for supporting Jamaica’s athletics at all levels but also for assisting in infrastructure upgrades. There is also an additional US$2,180,000 in equipment that will be put aside per year, with US$2 million of that in general products and US$50,000 per year in products for the next generation of Jamaican athletes.