Recently, the Leeward Suite of The Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew accommodated a press conference featuring the president of the Jamaica Basketball Association (JaBA), Ajani Harris-Williams, and Marketing Manager of Restaurants of Jamaica (KFC) Tina Matalon in the presence of sponsors, coaches and other guests.

The occasion was to highlight a partnership forged between KFC and the JaBA regarding its programme of sustained youth and infrastructure development, through providing the tools for Jamaica to become a world-recognised basketball powerhouse. KFC has assured its continued commitment to sports in Jamaica, with its over 36 years of involvement, and this basketball quest marks its largest-ever development sponsorship to any sport and to basketball.

The president of the JaBA, during his address, stated that the basketball quest could be used as a means by which individuals and the country can achieve greatness.

"This basketball quest is a testimony to the major partners playing their role and holding firm to the belief that greatness can be achieved through the sport of basketball, whether for individual student athletes or the country," declared Harris-Williams.

Improving talent

Primarily, the quest was conceptualised and developed by Harris-Williams and at its centre is the consolidation of several aspects of the game, organised under a one-umbrella programme, which creates one source of funding for many basketball programmes. As a result of this platform, many youths will be able to explore, discover and expand their talents through basketball at different levels, based on age or skill level.

KFC's sponsorship of $35 million over three years will cover the refurbishment of courts, sponsorship of mini tournaments, and development and star search camps, with students vying for United States scholarships, and an elite academy where the best 30 to 50 players from high schools can hone their skills.

President of the Jamaica Basketball Association, Ajani Harris-Williams, and Tina Matalon, marketing manager of Restaurants of Jamaica, cement their partnership. President of the Jamaica Basketball Association, Ajani Harris-Williams, shares tips and insights with members of Ardenne High School's basketball team. Basil Barrett, head coach at Ardenne High School and the most successful coach in Jamaica, gives an address during the press conference. Ludlow Barker (centre), head coach of Calabar High School and the Brave Smilers' female team, is deep in conversation with these men following the press conference. (from left) Marketing Manager of Restaurants of Jamaica Tina Matalon; Commercial Director of Digicel Jamaica Limited Jason Corrigan; Sasha Dixon, senior member of the Jamaica women's basketball team; and president of the Jamaica Basketball Association, Ajani Harris-Williams, get to know each other before the start of the press conference. This basketball depicts the areas that the KFC sponsorship will cover.