Samsung gave one of the clearest signs yet why it is fast becoming one of the most popular and sought-after technology brands in Jamaica when it launched the second annual Samsung Youth Football Tournament at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel on April 22.
The company – which secured the endorsement of two of the biggest sporting talents locally via The Usain Bolt Foundation and Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardener – promised to deliver an even bigger and better tournament for 2014. Ricardo, the former Reggae Boy from the 1998 World Cup fame, while noting the absence of similar programmes when he was a youth playing the game, said he was elated by the Samsung initiative.
“Opportunities like this don’t come about very often,” he observed. “It’s a great platform for them to go and build.” Based on his impressive showing at the 1998 World Cup, Gardner became a Bolton Wanderers standout after he was drafted into that English Premier League side at the tender age of 18.
Marketing Manager of Samsung Electronics Latin America, Miami office, Patricia Laufer, who appeared right at home as she interacted with last year’s winners, Holy Family Primary School, appealed for the public’s
support when she gave her company’s commitment to the regional-wide tournament of which Jamaica is a part.
“Youths are the biggest treasure for the company,” she remarked. “I hope the community realises how important this kind of interaction is for the children and come out and support them at the matches…We could have another
‘Bibi’ Gardner.” Besides increased participation this year, supporters were treated to a major attraction when the tournament kicked off at the University of Technology on Saturday, April 26, after the footballing skills of girls were put on display.
Similar to the launch when Sumsung surprised two lucky members of the public by giving away a Samsung 40” LED Smart TV and the latest technology in its Smartphone, this year there were prizes and surprises up for grabs for the scores of children and spectators on hand. More than US$10,000 worth of exciting Samsung products will be won this year by 784 students from fifty-six primary and prep schools across the island based on game results from the four zones, A to B. The Samsung Cup will go to the regional winner that will also receive medals.