Friday, September 1, 2006

POINTE-A-PITRE, Guadeloupe: As Guadeloupe prepares to host three countries in the Digicel Caribbean Cup football tournament, scheduled to take place through-out the Caribbean over the next six months, the tournament got a kick when former international French player, Jocelyn Angloma gave his full endorsement to the tournament at a launch press conference, held at the Creole Beach Resort on Monday August 28.

Group F teams in the Digicel Caribbean Cup Football tournament are St Martin, Martinique and Dominica and matches are scheduled to take place at the Baie Malhaut International Stadium September 20-24th.

Angloma who played professional football for France 1978-2002, said the competition played a key role in the development of talent in countries of the region. “Digicel’s increased investment will no doubt propel the tournament forward,” he said.

Speaking at the press conference, Eric Viel, Director General of Digicel French West Indies, Digicel has increased sponsorship of the region’s premier international football tournament which has led to an expanded and improved final round format and increased prize money, placing it on par with other major international football tournaments around the world. He said Digicel aims to create a unique Caribbean football experience at all the matches with pre-game entertainment and a real Caribbean show.

He said that Digicel’s increased investment has resulted in a substantial increase in prize money with qualifying groups’ winners taking home prize money for the first time and the ultimate Digicel Caribbean Cup Champions netting US$120,000.

According to Guy Roch, President of the Guadeloupe Football Association, his eagerly awaits the tournament. “We are in a state of readiness and we are looking forward to hosting the Group F countries in the Digicel Caribbean Cup Football tournament,” he said. “We are pleased at the planning, organisation and funding that Digicel and the Caribbean Football Union have invested into this tournament, and as a participating country we want to do well.”

The Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament was launched in Kingston, Jamaica on Thursday, August 17th, and is set to begin on Saturday, September 2 at the Pedro Merrera Stadium in Havana Cuba. In this match, The Cayman Islands will contest the Bahamas.

During all matches, Digicel intends to continue its trends of meeting the needs of the fans and towards this end has developed a number of initiatives to enhance their experience. These include Digicel gifts and football memorabilia, chances to win cash and prizes in promotional games and activities. Digicel will also create a party carnival type atmosphere at each game with football entertainment by the vivacious and energetic Digi girls.

With a record twenty-five teams entered for this year’s competition, the tournament promises to be the largest ever Caribbean football competition. A second round of qualifying groups in November will be followed by an all new eight team finals in Trinidad and Tobago in January 2007, a significantly expanded finals tournament by comparison to the four team finals of 2004/5.

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