The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: PLCA gets $10m in surprise move by SDF

LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

After what seemed like a horrid turn of events for this season's National Premier League (NPL) following the collapse of title sponsor Cash Plus Limited almost two weeks ago, things have made an upturn.

Two grants amounting to $18 million in less than a week have helped to save the NPL and by an extension the 12 competing clubs.

The latest lifeline came yesterday when the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) announced a $10 million donation from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF). This follows an announcement last Thursday by the National Commercial Bank (NCB) Foundation that it had given $8 million to the PLCA. The $18 million is $10 million short of the PLCA's initial budget for the season, but a release from the PLCA yesterday said "the budgetary gap of the PLCA has now been closed for the year." The PLCA also said it had an additional $4 million in its coffers.

The donation from the SDF comes as a surprise as it had previously denied an application for a grant from the PLCA. However, chairman of the PLCA, Edward Seaga, said there was a misunderstanding between the SDF and the PLCA.

Misunderstood

"This was misunderstood and the SDF thought that the request was for the entire $28 million. On this basis the application was turned down at first, but it has now been granted based on the amount of $10 million that was originally requested," said Seaga in a press release.

Half of the $10 million received from the SDF will be used as direct assistance for the 12 clubs and the other half will be applied to other expenses, said a release from the PLCA. The $8 million received from NCB will be used for prize money and to host the awards ceremony.

"We are pleased that the SDF could support us in this period when a difficult situation arose by making a one-time grant," said Seaga.

In a previous press statement Seaga said: "NCB understands the importance of football to the nation and especially for the stability of those communities in need of stimulants for peace and hope."

The PLCA found itself in turmoil earlier this month following the collapse of Cash Plus. Prior to the start of the season in September, the PLCA and Cash Plus agreed to a $150-million, three-year deal.

However, Cash Plus, branded as an alternative investment scheme, was hit with a cease-and-desist order by the courts in December and its principal, Carlos Hill, was arrested on April 10 and later charged with fraud.