Exciting football promised in Digicel Caribbean Cup

KINGSTON: Digicel, the fastest growing mobile telecommunications provider in the Caribbean, kicked-off the preliminary round of the Digicel/CFU Caribbean Cup at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica on Tuesday by announcing the first 30 matches to take place within the initial six groups. Over 20 countries from across the Caribbean are to compete in the inaugural Digicel Caribbean Cup which will run from October until the final in April 2005. Digicel’s sponsorship means an exciting and interactive tournament is promised for football fans. Speaking at the event, Captain Horrace Burrell, Vice President of the Caribbean Football Union said: “We are very excited about our partnership with Digicel as we kick off the preliminary round of the Digicel Caribbean Cup.

The company’s dynamic, innovative, forward-thinking attitude which has transformed the telecommunications market in the Caribbean in under three years, will no doubt have the same impact on raising the status of the Caribbean Cup. An exciting tournament is promised.” Speaking at his first official engagement as Digicel Group CEO, Raoul Fontanez said: “Digicel takes great pride in being title sponsor to the Digicel Caribbean Cup for the next four years. Our commitment to the future of the Caribbean is strong and we fully understand the role of sport in strengthening this community. We are delighted to be bringing new energy into the Caribbean Cup and we will be looking at ways to make the tournament more of an interactive and enjoyable experience for all our Digicel customers that love the sport.”

For the preliminary round of the Cup, 21 Caribbean countries will compete in six groups, A-F from early October to the end of November. The host nations include Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad and Tobago and St Kitts/Nevis. Two countries from five groups along with Cuba will qualify to the Knock Out rounds in January and February and the final round will take place in Barbados in April 2005. Earlier this year Digicel also signed an historic sponsorship deal with the West Indies Cricket Board to become the official sponsors of the West Indies Cricket team playing at home and away. The company also supports Special Olympics teams across the region and in 2003 Digicel made it possible for Special Olympic teams from Aruba, Jamaica and St Lucia to compete in the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games hosted in Dublin, Ireland.