LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter

Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) chairman, Edward Seaga (left), outlines cutbacks in plans for the National Premier League during a press conference at the Main Library at the University of the West Indies yesterday. - Photo by LeVaughn Flynn

The 12 teams competing in the National Premier League, the island's main football competition, will have no incentives at the end of the season, due to the collapse of sponsors Cash Plus Limited.

Edward Seaga, chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA), made the announcement yesterday afternoon at the University of the West Indies at a hurried press briefing a week after Cash Plus' principal, Carlos Hill, was arrested for conspiracy to defraud.

"We are going to have to cut out the awards ceremony and the prize money for the premier league as a means of adjusting what is left to be dealt with," said Seaga.

Disappointment

With five rounds to go in the season and the PLCA $28 million short of its yearly budget, $26 million of which should have come from Cash Plus, Seaga said the PLCA had no option.

The news has been met with disappointment by at least one coach.

Lenworth Hyde, coach of reigning champs Harbour View, said: "It's a blow to everybody (because) we've worked hard to be here."

Meanwhile, coach of Premier League leaders Portmore United, Linval Dixon, said the PLCA's decision won't affect his team's goal.

"This is not going to affect us. We set out to be champions and nothing will distract us," said Dixon.

Of the $28m that is required to complete the season, $10m was for the awards ceremony and prize money, another $10m for the PLCA, the clubs and referees and match commissioners. Seaga said the PLCA has secured $8m from a sponsor, which is expected to be announced next week.

With regard to the PLCA seeking a bailout from the Sports Development Foundation (SDF), Seaga said $10m was requested from the SDF and not $28m as was previously reported. He also pointed out that the SDF had met and made a decision not to grant the PLCA the money without inviting a member of the association to the meeting.

Representative

"I am confident that if we had a representative there we would have secured the money," said Seaga, adding that the SDF was misguided as they viewed the PLCA as a private entity, while it is an affiliate of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

What has made matters worse, according to Seaga, was that their Plan B had not materialised. Seaga said the PLCA planned to use earnings from the prime time bingo game, given to the Government by organisers Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL).

However, that is yet to take place as it had to be approved by Parliament. Seaga said initial estimates showed a possible revenue of $40m per year.

"We knew that Cash Plus could run into problems and we knew also we would have to have a back-up in case. That back up is the bingo game," said Seaga.

In defending the PLCA, which has been scrutinised for severing ties with Wray and Nephew for a more lucrative deal with Cash Plus worth more than twice as much per annum, Seaga said: "Each club has received $2.8 million this season. This is four times more than we have ever received before."

The PLCA is the body established last year to run the affairs of the clubs. Seaga said that the PLCA was formed due to the extreme financial hardship of the clubs, some of which considered not competing prior to the start of the season.