St Kitts-Nevis Ready To Host Digicel Caribbean Championships, Septemer 24-28, 2008

The St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association (SKNFA) is set to host Group D of the Digicel Caribbean Championships from the 24th to the 28th September, 2008 at the Warner Park in St. Kitts.  The St. Kitts-Nevis National Team will come up against BVI and Barbados and matches will be played as follows:

• Wednesday, September 24: St. Kitts-Nevis vs. BVI
• Friday, September 26:  BVI vs. Barbados
• Sunday, September 28:  St. Kitts-Nevis vs. Barbados

President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Football Association, Peter Jenkins expressed his anticipation of the tournament: “The St. Kitts/Nevis National Senior Team will play against Barbados and BVI in Group D of the first stage of the Digicel Championships. We think it’s fitting that the matches are taking place during the Independence season.  With DCC coming to St. Kitts it will give the country exposure and increase economic activity and people will be aware that there are various activities happening in St. Kitts. 

“Our team has been training for the matches and we expect them to do very well.   I think St. Kitts will do exceptionally well, we have the home advantage and I expect the general public to come out and support the National team.”

The Digicel Caribbean Championships, formerly known as the Digicel Caribbean Cup, started in May 2004 when the telecoms company announced its sponsorship of the games.  In partnership with the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and 14 federations across the region, the tournament has grown to be the largest world-class football tournament in the Caribbean on par with other international tournaments.  In 2007, Haiti emerged as the champions.

The prize pool of US$270,000.00 is the largest to date, with 21 regional teams competing for the grand prize of a whopping US$120,000.00 and the coveted DCC trophy.  Second, third and fourth places will receive US$70,000, US$50,000 and US$30,000 respectively.  The top four teams will automatically qualify for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

Digicel Caribbean Championships’ Group D starts tomorrow at the Warner Park in Basseterre, St. Kitts and ends on Friday September 28.  Group D includes St. Kitts-Nevis, BVI and Barbados.

For match pictures and further information visit www.digicelfootball.com