QUICK-SERVICE food giant Restaurants of Jamaica (ROJ), through its flagship brand KFC, is back on the field with a $15-million sponsorship investment for the 2024 ISSA schoolboy football season.

Fuelled by the belief that sports help to holistically shape our youngsters, KFC remains dedicated to supporting Jamaica’s future champions. This year’s partnership is another winning goal for KFC as the brand continues to fuel the passion and potential of Jamaica’s young footballers.

As the new season gears up to kick off on Saturday, September 7, KFC is ready to serve up support — both on and off the field.

“We’re thrilled to be back on board for this journey with our young and talented athletes in what promises to be a season filled with standout performances and memorable moments,” said KFC Jamaica’s Marketing Manager Andrei Roper.

“Schoolboy football provides a platform for our young boys to realise their full potential and even plot a path for their future. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their skills — not only on the field but in becoming upstanding young men — and so KFC sees this competition as the perfect opportunity to help set them up for success and also to help give back to the community.”

This commitment to the development of youth and community is further demonstrated by KFC’s donation of $500,000 — through their KFC Add Hope Outreach Programme — to Alinton Frankson, a former standout player for Paul Bogle High, Excelsior High, and the SportsMax Elite League.

Frankson’s promising football career was tragically interrupted by a devastating injury that led to a diagnosis of lymphoedema, a condition that has severely impacted his health. KFC’s contribution aims to support Alinton as he navigates these challenging times.

Alinton expressed his gratitude, stating, “I am incredibly grateful for this generous donation from KFC. The journey toward securing the necessary funds for my treatment has been daunting, and this support has provided tremendous relief. Words cannot fully capture the depth of my appreciation but I extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has shown their support. I am also deeply thankful to the other brands, such as Digicel, that have contributed to my recovery. Without this assistance I would be uncertain about how to restore my health and regain normalcy. Although it has been challenging to come to terms with being unable to participate in the sport I hold so dearly, I remain committed to maintaining a positive outlook and placing my trust in God.”