JFF gifted with new 27-seater vehicle
Published:Wednesday | November 9, 2022 | 12:12 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
JAMECO, JAMAICA’S largest fleet company, yesterday, donated a 27-seater King Long Bus valued at approximately $7.3 million to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), which is aimed at easing the pressures of transporting players representing the national senior teams.
Brian Pengelley, general manager at JAMECO, is of the opinion that the kind gesture ties into the fact that his team believes in the work that the Michael Ricketts-led JFF can do.
“Myself and my team at JAMECO are exceptionally proud. We believe in Jamaica, the football and the job that the JFF is doing. The decision was a no-brainer, once they (JFF) came to me and said ‘can you help us?’, we just jumped in and said, ‘yes’. This is the right thing for us and the right thing for Jamaica,” said Pengelley.
The initiative comes on the heels of the Senior Reggae Girlz fixture against Paraguay tomorrow at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay.
Pengelley hopes other corporate entities will follow suit.
BIG LEAD
“I think it demonstrates nationally that corporate Jamaica is willing to get behind the JFF and hopefully, by taking the lead, which is a big lead, I hope others will come on board,” added Pengelley.
JFF President Ricketts shared the sentiments of Pengelley in hoping the gesture is the start of a chain reaction.
“This is a significant boost to the JFF, we’re very excited and hoping that Stewart’s (Automotive Group) will be one of the first of a number of corporate entities that will get on board in short order.
“We do have a Coaster of our own, but it is a smaller unit to this one, and when you have as many as 12 teams that you oversee, then you need as many of these kinds of vehicles as possible. Like I always say, ‘it’s not always about football, but we want to have a social impact on the nation’. So, we want to encourage all to come on board,” said Ricketts.
The president further added that the move forms part of what he calls the ‘new era’ of the JFF, something that he has high expectations of.
“This is just part of the whole preparation process. We are very appreciative and this certainly will be part of a number of new initiatives and this is a brand-new era. We have a brand-new general secretary (Dennis Chung) who’s excited and competent at what he’s doing.”