Kingston & St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) President Rudolph Speid (right) presents a KSAFA jersey to Noel Esty, commercial director at Claro, at Thursday night's launch of the Claro/KSAFA competions at the Knutsford Court hotel in St Andrew. - Colin Hamilto/Frrelance Photographer

Telecommunications company, Claro, and the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) made a bold invitation through its slogan to Corporate Area clubs, saying"welcome to a better world", at the sponsorship launch of what is believed to be one of the most lucrative in Jamaica, at the Knutsford Court hotel on Thursday night.

However, Noel Esty, commercial director at Claro, declined to state the value of the four-year deal, which was only described as "huge".

This prompted further inquires by The Gleaner, and a highly placed source in local football said the deal was worth nearly $200 million.

Asked to confirm this, Esty replied: "I ignore rumours."

Commitment to football

Quizzed further about why, compared with all other football sponsors, even their main rivals Digicel, sponsors of the National Premier League, his company did not disclose the financial value of its sponsorship, Esty said: "It's not about money. It's about our commitment to football, the youths and the development of Jamaica. We are serious to make a commitment to football and the clubs are happy with the sponsorship.

"We chose to start with football because of its reach," he added, while stating that his company was here to provide quality service.

He also said the aim was to get into the communities of Kingston and St Andrew and asked for the clubs' help.

Claro will be the title sponsors for all KSAFA-organised competitions - the Super, Major, Syd Barlett, Under-20, Under-17 and Under-15 leagues.

The deal will also fund the launch of a women's league and the renaming of the President's Cup, now to be called the Claro/KSAFA Champions League.

The Champions League, which will be played over two weekends, will comprise eight teams. KSAFA's top Premier League team, the Jackie Bell KO, Under-21, Super, Major and Syd Bartlett champions, along with the top KSAFA all-island KO team, and the Champions Affiliate team.

Not even prize money was divulged at the press conference. However, KSAFA's president, Rudolph Speid, gave a breakdown of how the sponsor's money would be utilised.

Developing aspects of football

In thanking Claro for the deal, Speid said KSAFA's 43 clubs, excluding the premier league teams, spent a total of $93 million annually. Now, he said, with such a lucrative deal, these clubs, which parade approximately 250 teams and 10,000 players overall, will benefit from 60 per cent off the new sponsorship.

Referees' fees will amount to 20 per cent, media fees and promotion 10 per cent, administrative fees 15 per cent and trophies and awards functions, five per cent.

Speid added, "Thanks to Claro, KSAFA can now concentrate on developing other aspects of the game we have neglected for so long."

Speid pointed to coaching, management and infrastructure as areas which needed development. These, he said, would be among the main objectives of his association.

Meanwhile, the KSAFA/Claro Super League will kick off today with six matches, all set to start at 3:30 p.m.

Today's matches

Super League

August Town vs Liguanea at UWI

Bull Bay vs Real Mona at Bull Pen

Constant Spring vs Maverley/Hughenden at Constant Spring

Jamaica Defence Force vs Cavalier at Up Park Camp

Police National vs Duhaney Park at Molynes

Santos vs Mountain View at Bell Chung Stadium