Minister of Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has announced a J$10 million contribution to the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) towards the Reggae Girlz’ World Cup Qualifier against Grenada next Sunday (February 20).

The grant is expected to underwrite the cost of a Caribbean Airline charter flight for the national women’s football team.

The Reggae Girlz kick off their World Cup campaign at the National Stadium against Bermuda on February 17 before travelling to Grenada three days later.

In a statement released on February 11, Minister Grange said that after being told by JFF President Michael Ricketts that the team could not get to Grenada by direct commercial flight in time for the qualifier, offered without hesitation, to assist the JFF with J$10 million which would cover most of the cost of a charter flight.

“The J$10 million has been provided through the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) as the Reggae Girlz embark on another World Cup journey. We assisted their 2019 World Cup campaign to the tune of $20.1 million and will continue to play our part in whatever way we can to ensure that they are back at the Finals in 2023,” Grange explained.

“We will always be proud of the Reggae Girlz for that historic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019,” the minister, an avid supporter of the Jamaican contingent, added.