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Foska Oats hands over $1 million to Melbourne CC

Published:Thursday | May 11, 2017 | 12:00 AMMarc Stamp
Ricardo Makyn
From left: Sherida Cohen, brand manager Foska Oats; Christopher Ramson, director of Caribbean Foods Limited; Mark Neita, president of Melbourne Cricket Club; and Kathryn Silvera, advertising manager, Chas E. Ramson, pose with a representational cheque at the partnership launch between Foska Oats and the Melbourne Cricket Club at Melbourne Oval on Thursday.

Caribbean Foods Limited through its Foska Oats brand continues to show its support for sports after handing over a $1 million cheque to Melbourne Cricket Club towards their 2017 programme.

The sponsorship will go towards Melbourne's cricket academy, camp and 5K road race with the senior cup team now expected to wear Foska Oats branded gear as a part of the agreement.

"The academy that started last year (is for) all cricketers, you don't have to be affiliated with Melbourne. The sponsorship is always good, and we are thankful to Foska Oats for their contribution to the development of Melbourne," Mark Neita, Melbourne's club president said during a media launch at Melbourne Oval on Thursday.

"We also have a learning centre open to the young cricketers attending the academy and camps. We want to pay attention to the educational aspect of the cricketers. We want fully developed kids," Neita disclosed.

Melbourne is under renovation and Neita pointed out that the brand will attract sponsorship.

"In order to attract sponsorship, we have to protect the brand. We spent $7 million to renovate the facility. We want to ensure a first class facility at Melbourne," he added.

Christopher Ramson, a director of Caribbean Foods Limited said that his company is committed to the partnership formed with Melbourne.

'The Foska Oats brand is pleased to once again be aligned with the Melbourne Cricket Club, and the development of the sport of cricket in Jamaica. Melbourne Cricket Club, like Foska Oats has had a long and successful history in Jamaica, especially in the area of youth development," Ramson said.

"This is one of the reasons that in 2015, when we were approached by Mark Neita, that we did not hesitate on forging a relationship with Melbourne Cricket Club through the Foska Oats/Melbourne Cricket camp. This is a relationship that has not only helped in securing the future of Jamaica's cricket through the development of young players, but a relationship that will provide so many young people with the opportunity to help themselves out of poverty and difficult circumstances through sports," he added.

President of Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Wilford 'Billy' Heaven commended Melbourne for their development programme.

"We need to apply educational skill to play the game. For us to read the game, we want to be properly developed in the mind. We want to thank you Mr Ramson," Heaven said.