Two years ago, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Premier League – then operated by the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) – was aborted and the season annulled. 

The aftermath of the cancellation of the 2020 season was a long and brutal layoff of sports in Jamaica which had a devastating impact on the league, clubs, and, most of all, the players and staff who earn their livelihood from the operation of the league.

During the 15 months of non-activity in the league, the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and the league stakeholders have made ongoing efforts to reimagine and re-position the only professional league in the country, birthing the new custodians of professional football in Jamaica – the Professional Football of Jamaica Limited (PFJL).

ACHIEVEMENTS TO DATE

In a post annual general meeting (AGM) press briefing, PFJL Chairman Christopher Williams outlined the achievements made during his stewardship of the new Jamaica Premier League (JPL) after the first year of its operation.

Williams underscored the company’s focus on the stated objectives in its’ business plan, which are Governance, Commercialisation and Development.

In the area of Governance, Williams outlined the achievements to date.

“During the last year, we have successfully negotiated a multi-year memorandum of understanding with the JFF, appointed independent directors, a chairman and company secretary from the private sector, convened regular board meetings, completed audited financials and today our first annual general meeting.”

In the area of Commercialisation, Williams continued to outline the long list of successes to date.

“Twenty five sponsorships deals, a new presenting partner of the JPL, production and broadcast of all premier matches, rebranding of the league, its match day executions and repositioning of the brand, to the Jamaica Premier League and unlimited distribution of the matches locally, regionally and Internationally through cable, free to air, online and social media.”

Finally, in Development, Williams said his board was determined to make a clear difference now to secure the future of the game in Jamaica by fully professionalising the actors.

“In that vein, we now have 12 fully licensed professional clubs with CONCACAF. Each has demonstrated great commitment to do their businesses differently and you see the manifestation of this on the field of play. Additionally, we have embarked on a series of professional training for executives and coaches, which has led us to now setting our sights forward to a possible initial public offering (IPO) in the not-too-distant future.”

Williams concluded: “We must underscore the fact that these achievements have been accomplished while we are still in a pandemic, no one or entity living today has ever operated a business under these circumstances. Against this background we know the best is yet to come.”

The second season of the JPL began on January 16. The matches are aired live on Sportsmax and Sportsmax2 in 26 Caribbean Countries; CVM TV in Jamaica, CEEN TV in North America and streamed live on INSTAT TV globally.