Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Jamaica Netball Association President Marva Bernard (left) holds the sponsorship cheque with Maurice Bryan, promotions and sponsorship manager at Digicel, at the National Stadium yesterday.They are flanked by members of the national under-16 team who will play in the Caribbean Championships next month in Trinidad and Tobago. - rudolph brown

The Sunshine Girls have managed to chip into their $9 million dollar target set for the team's participation in next year's World Championships in Fiji, as Digicel yesterday announced a $5 million sponsorship package for the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), half of which will go towards preparations for the World Championships.

The package, unveiled at a press conference at the National Stadium yesterday, will span a three-year period and has been aimed towards the development of not only the national senior team, but the under-16 team as well.

"We are grateful for the support provided by Digicel, who have come on board for the journey at the first step, and hope other corporate sponsors will follow suit." said Marva Bernard, president of the JNA.

"The talent has always been their but we have lacked the financial support. Rising to the very top of the game will not only take lots of time but lots of money." she added.

One million dollars of the amount will immediately go towards the under-16 team, who will participate in the Caribbean Championships which begins on November 23 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The rest will go towards the continued development of the sport at the local level. Jamaica are currently third in the world netball rankings.