Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter

TELECOMMUNICATIONS GIANT Cable and Wireless continues to be major sponsor of Jamaica's badminton and netball teams.

This time around, C&W shelled out $2.5 million to the Jamaica Badminton Association (JBA) and the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA) during a journalists luncheon at the Eden Gardens restaurant on Lady Musgrave Road yesterday.

President and chief executive officer of C&W Jamaica, Rodney Davis made the announcement, giving badminton, the sport that has had a 40-year relationship with the company, $1.5 million, while contributing $1 million to the JNA.

The function was attended by some of journalism's most notable faces including former Jamaica and West Indies Test cricketer, Maurice Foster, along with Jamaica netball captain Oberon Pitterson and centre Nadine Bryan.

Also present were national badminton champion Bradley Graham and Jamaica representative Audley Astwood.

For the JBA the funds will go towards the All-Jamaica Cham-pionships, the All-Island School League and the JBA's Junior Development Programme.

In response to the sponsorship, JBA president Vishu Tolan pointed to the presence of good corporate citizens as something that has helped in the growth of sport in Jamaica.

STILL GOOD CORPORATE COMPANIES

"It feels good to say that there are still good corporate companies who are prepared to invest in the development of the youths," Tolan said.

The JNA will use its sponsorship to fund various development programmes that it has been embarking on over the past few years.

JNA president Sharon Donald-son was grateful for the assistance and hoped that the outpouring of good will would continue for a long time.

"To be standing in this position - receiving another sponsorship cheque- brings such great joy for us. We hope that this partnership will continue for a very long time," Donaldson said.

Davis pointed to the performances of the two organisations as one of his company's reasons for the continued support.

Davis said both organisations had done well for Jamaica over the years and that it was a pleasure for his company to be associated with them.