PORTMORE-based Jamaica Beverages, sponsor of Jamaica's combined martial arts team through its Busta soft drink brand, has come in for high praises from Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of information, culture, youth and sports.

Jamaica Beverages, based in Naggo Head, Portmore, has developed a reputation for sponsoring minor sports after its immense success with the combined martial arts team, the two-time defending world continental team fighting champions.

Congratulating the combined martial arts team for its unbeaten run internationally and recent defence of the Busta World Continental Team Fighting championship at the United States (US) Open in Orlando, Florida, Grange hailed Jamaica Beverages' contribution to the team's success and the company's role in helping to popularise martial arts.

"Let me congratulate Jamaica Beverages for their foresight in sponsoring the sport of martial arts and hope that further success will attract more sponsors to the sport, thereby fostering its growth and development," she said.

Jamaica Beverages recently answered Grange's call for financial support for skier Michael Kerr, shelling out US$65,000 towards his preparations for the Alpine and Freestyle ski competitions at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Grange also noted Jamaica Beverages' sponsorship of the Busta High Schools' Martial Arts League.

"I am aware that there is rapid growth in a number of the non-traditional sports and I am convinced that sport is a fantastic school of life that shows no gender bias. Sports speak to almost every aspect of our daily lives and to the codes and values that should guide our actions in society," the sports minister pointed out.

"Having the league in the schools is a good starting ground for any sport and we know sponsors are always on the lookout for success," she said.

Jamaica Beverages, through the foresight of general manager Paul Shoucair, has sponsored the combined team since 2004. The team is unbeaten in 34 international team-fighting bouts since.

The team defended its world team fighting title in Orlando in June, beating European champions Germany before facing Argentina, the world champions, in the final.

Jamaica enjoyed tremendous success at the Open. Fighters, drawn from Jamaica Taekwon-do, Rising Sun Karate and Ningen Martial Arts, returned from Orlando with a total 52 individual medals, in addition to the combined team's victory.

Jamaica's black belt seniors confirmed their class by adding 10 individual medals to the successful defence of their World Continental Team Fighting Championship.

Among the seniors, Wolmer's Boys' sixth-former Nicholas Dussard won that group's only individual gold medal, taking the lightweight points sparring event.

Jamaica's junior ranks continue to build a solid foundation, returning with 42 medals.

Grange said Jamaica's success at the US Open was further proof of the country's sporting prowess.

"The team's success is yet another indication of just how talented we Jamaicans are and also that we have an excellent martial arts programme here in Jamaica," she said.