CFU President Jack Warner discusses the importance of Digicel to the Development of Caribbean Football
Thursday, 13 December – Kingston, Jamaica: Digicel, the largest sponsors of football in the Caribbean, in conjunction with the Caribbean Football Union, under the presidency of Jack Warner, launches its inaugural regional youth football development programme: ‘The Digicel Kick Start Clinics’ , this coming January.
In a statement released today, CONCACAF President Jack Warner expressed the importance of funding through Sponsorship in the development of Caribbean Football.
“The recent successes of Caribbean teams in international competitions have not been achieved either by chance or by accident but rather by medium and long-term planning by administrators with the necessary vision and foresight. Along with the plans there had to be the necessary finances available to fund the various programmes. It is in that context that sponsorship is so desirable and the role of sponsors becomes so crucial.
“The Caribbean Football Union has therefore been blessed in having DIGICEL as sponsors who are themselves passionate about the sport of football, to the extent that they participate in the execution of programmes and events designed for the future development of the sport.” – Jack Warner, President of the Caribbean Football Union
The Digicel Clinics, led by former England and Liverpool star John Barnes, will offer talented Under-20 footballers a once in a lifetime chance to learn invaluable footballing skills from Barnes, one of the Caribbean’s greatest ever football players, while at the same time being afforded the chance to realize their dream of becoming professional footballers.
The Digicel Kick Start Football Clinics begin in early 2008 and take place in Guyana, Barbados, Haiti , Antigua, Suriname, Trinidad, St. Kitts and Jamaica. Six of the most talented young footballers to participate in the clinics will be chosen by John Barnes, with the input of local national coaches, to travel to the UK to spend a week at a top English Barclays Premier League football club, where they will take part in an intensive training session with the club.
FIFA Vice-President Jack Warner further explains the value of the Digicel Clinics: “The ‘Digicel Kick Start Clinic’ is one such programme which will ensure the future of the sport in the region as it is designed for the benefit of youths. I am particularly thrilled that Digicel has been able to secure the services of John Barnes, himself a Caribbean icon whose exploits and experiences as player par excellence stamp him as a worthy football ambassador whom our youths would certainly wish to emulate. It is my pleasure therefore to endorse and recommend the Clinic to all participants who are sure to benefit immensely from the experience. “
Full details of the Digicel Clinics will be announced over the coming weeks and will include details on how local clubs and school teams have the opportunity to be part of these clinics which will help them realize their dream of being the next International football star from the Caribbean, playing in the Barclays English Premier League.
About Digicel
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest-growing wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. Digicel is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets. It is the largest GSM operator in the region. Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and has operations in twenty-three markets, including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, Curaçao, The Cayman Islands, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and El Salvador. Digicel also has a license in Guatemala and coverage in St. Martin and St. Barths.
The company is the lead sponsor of Caribbean sports teams including the West Indies Cricket Team, Special Olympics teams across the Caribbean and is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which involves over 30 Caribbean countries and is an important qualifier towards the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
For more information, visit www.digicelfootball.com
Contact:
Shelly-Ann Brown
Sponsorship Manger
Digicel
876-381-5042
[email protected]