Lasco backs local sports with big JOA deal

Peter Mark Chin, Deputy Executive Chairman, LASCO-affilliated companies and Managing Director, LASCO Distributors Limited, said the vision at qualifying athletes in 10 sporting disciplines and the huge task of supporting a 41-member sporting body were pre-eminent among reasons for their $28-million dollar partnership with the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA).

"We are inordinately proud of the thousands who have represented us so well in sports. We value and appreciate their contribution in putting Jamaica on the global map today and for developing a reputation for Jamaica as a sporting powerhouse," he said during a recent announcement at Courtleigh Hotel in Kingston.

"We congratulate the new executive team of the JOA, led by President Mr. Christopher Samuda and CEO Mr. Ryan Foster. We laud their vision and the ambitious objective to qualify and facilitate 10 sporting disciplines representing Jamaica in the 32nd Olympiad in Tokyo 2020. That's '10 in 20'. We also applaud you on taking steps to put in place the necessary corporate structure and strategy to make this a reality."

Chin, noting this is LASCO's 30th anniversary, stated their involvement in corporate initiatives as Police Officer, Nurse, Teacher and Principal of the Year awards, said his company "has long held a philosophy that sports is an important vehicle for personal and national development.

"Who would have imagined that such a small country could have produced the calibre of sporting personalities across multiple sporting disciplines," he added with rhetoric.

"Let us not forget those who have excelled and represented us well in other sporting disciplines including cricket, football, table tennis, swimming and netball ... and we must also acknowledge the emergence in non-traditional sports such as rugby," Chin continued.

Foster called the union a "significant partnership" for several reasons.

"Lasco Affiliated Companies will be the food partner of the JOA for Tokyo 2020; their commitment will extend beyond the 2020 Olympic Games; and their association with the JOA has opened up additional funding and resource opportunities for member associations in cash and kind," he outlined.

"The JOA is delighted to welcome on board Lasco as its nutritional partner - a deal which is intended to span over four years with a value of $28,000,000 cash and product support. Lasco will also provide up to five percent discount to members of the JOA and member associations on select LASCO food products and services from select supermarkets island-wide through a loyalty card, reward card or any other appropriate vehicle which will allow ease of access to the benefit for the period of the agreement.

"In addition to providing nutritional support, they have pledged to provide up to a five percent discount or appropriate concession to members of the JOA and member associations on LASCO Financial Services," added Foster.

This is one of several partnerships that the JOA has galvanised since rolling out their '10 in 20' vision.