Friday, December 15, 2006

KRALENDIJK, Bonaire: Caribbean telecommunications company Digicel has announced a partnership with the government of Bonaire and the Bonaire Football Association, which will see the company invest a total of NAF425,000, or US$240,000 in the development of sport on the Dutch Caribbean island over the next ten years.

Digicel are to become the official sponsor of the Bonaire national football league and the Bonaire national football team in a five year agreement with the Bonaire Football Association. The investment will also go towards further development of Bonaire’s national sports stadium, to be titled the Digicel Kranlendijk Stadium.

James Kroon, Commissioner of Sports for Bonaire, describes the gesture as a wonderful testament to Digicel’s commitment to the Bonaire community: “This is the most significant investment that has ever been made by a corporate entity towards the development of sports in Bonaire and in particular marks a new era for the growth of football. We are confident that the company’s passion for growing their business coupled with their Caribbean football experience, that Digicel are the right partners to grow Bonaire sports to its true potential and will build an exciting football experience for fans and players”.

Digicel is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Cup, the most prestigious Caribbean football tournament as well as its counterpart in Central America, the 2007 Copa De Naciones Digicel. The company also sponsors a number of national football teams such as the Haiti Football Federation and is a leading supporter of Special Olympic national teams across the region including Bonaire.

Chairman of the Bonaire Football Association, Sidney Marten says: “We welcome Digicel’s enthusiasm to be more than just sponsors of our association, but rather partners working at every level to help and support football players and fans. Our agreement includes training of the next generation of footballers through the hosting of ongoing football coaching clinics for the youth”.

Digicel’s increased investment in Bonaire sports comes on the heels of the company’s acquisition of the mobile base of Bonaire telecommunications operator TELBO. The company launched services on the islands in July 2006 with a free public concert at the Kranlendijk stadium which attracted the largest ever public gathering in Bonaire.

According to Bert Schreuders, General Manager of Digicel Bonaire: “Together with the Government of Bonaire, and other stakeholders, we intend to develop the Kranlendijk Stadium into a world class sporting and entertainment centre for the people of Bonaire to enjoy. Bonaire may be one of the smallest countries in the Digicel network, but Digicel is just as committed to its growth and development,” he said.

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