Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Waterhouse striker Leon Strickland (right) attempts to break away from Tivoli defender Victor Thompson (left) in the final of the COK Champions Cup at the Harbour View Mini Stadium yesterday. Waterhouse won the game 2-0. - Peta-Gaye Clachar

Commending a sponsorship deal in excess of $25 million from automobile suppliers, Stewart's Auto Sales, national technical director René Simoes has encouraged corporate Jamaica not to see involvement in sport as a dollar investment, but as a means of providing desperately needed social solutions.

"To engage in support of the game is a responsibility that needs to be taken seriously as it is a means to engage and address many social problems," said Simoes, speaking to a small gathering at the National Stadium.

"Football is not just a simple game anymore, it has the ability to unify people and bring communities together.

"All over the world, the gap between rich and poor is widening and football continues to provide an opportunity, a means of upliftment for young people everywhere," he said.

He pointed to examples where communities, which were once forced to play away from their home bases in the National Premier League, due to a threat of violence were now playing weekly games at home grounds, as an example of social intervention through sport. Simoes stressed that there was even more to be acheived with greater cooperation.

The technical director, along with Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) boss captain Horace Burrell, yesterday welcomed sponsor Stewart's Auto Sales back on-board.

The company was also involved in the 1998 campaign when the Reggae Boyz made their historic debut at the World Cup in France.

The JFF were provided with the keys to six brand-new vehicles as the Boyz prepare to embark on their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The sponsorship package, which will run for the next three years, will see Simoes provided with a brand new BMW X3 and four Suzuki SX4 deluxe sedans will be made available to the assistant coaches.

Another BMW will be provided as a vehicle for guest coaches, who come to the island for international friendlies and World Cup qualifiers.

In addition to providing the cars, Stewart's will also subsidise the servicing of the vehicles and absorb the full cost of comprehensive insurance for each.

Jamaica will officially begin the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers when they tackle The Bahamas on June 15 at the National Stadium. The Brazilian, who encouraged Jamaica to be confident as they look towards the campaign, also challenged the nation to aim for a place in history.

"Let us aim for the Guinness Book of Records, that should be our aim." he said.

"Nowhere else will there be another country, so small, that will have qualified for the World Cup on two occasions."