Latest update May 14th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jul 17, 2008 Sports
By Franklin Wilson
in Curacao
compliments of Digicel
The 3rd edition of the Digicel Caribbean Championship (DCC) formerly known as the Digicel Caribbean Cup was officially launched with much pomp and ceremony yesterday at the Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Curacao.
President of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Austin Jack Warner and Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship Keiran Foley were on hand to unveil the 2008 edition of the DCC which will see a total of 25 countries across the region divided into 9 groups with a similar amount of countries hosting matches, totaling 69.
Warner emphatically stated that this years Championship will be a memorable one based on the level of competition fans will see and based on the level of organisation the region has come to expect, especially from Digicel.
“And most importantly, because it will continue to give our young people a sense of hope, a sense of belonging.
In fact as I a say young people, I recall the Surinamese player Emilio who of course had gone to Sunderland based on another Digicel initiative and who was in many ways the pride of the region and today he is playing for their senior team and doing very well.
This is the kind of investment which Digicel has made and will continue to make in this sport.”
This years Championship will kick off in Curacao later this month, July 27 at the Ergilio Hato Stadium with hosts the Netherlands Antilles taking on Grenada in Group ‘A’ action.
The DCC will run for 5 months ending with what is anticipated to be a massive final in Jamaica where the host nation will be joined by the reigning champions Haiti and six other nations to vie for the impressive championship trophy and US$120,000.
The losing finalist is guaranteed $70,000 while the 3rd and 4th placed teams will pocket $50,000 and $20,000 respectively.
Warner who has been at the helm of the Regional game for almost two decades reminded the gathering, which included the President and Executives of the Netherlands Football Union (NAVU), Digicel Dutch Caribbean CEO Hans Lute and members of the International and local Media, that the Flags of the Region will never be flown on the field of war.
“The flags of our Region can only be flown on the field of sport and in this particular case in Football. And Digicel, I only ask you to keep the faith and help us to keep our flags flying.”
The winners of groups A to E along with the best four 2nd place teams will advance to stage 2 of the championship from which the top six will advance to the final round.
Foley in his remarks noted that Digicel’s vision for football and their progression for the game across the region is one of developing a lasting partnership with the CFU and they have been very lucky to have such a strong and influential partner as President Jack Warner.
“His intention during this partnership is a reflection of his absolute and undying commitment to the development of football.”
Foley too, supported Warner’s statement that the DCC has brought to the fore a number of talented young players which has been very heartening and satisfying.
He noted that Digicel will be at the forefront of Marketing and Promotion throughout the region during the competition. “We’re trying to make sure that people are more involved and more integrated into the sport and into the game itself.
We would love to really take the countries by storm and continue the strong progression of football over the coming weeks and months.”
As was the case at the last tournament, the top 4 countries emerging from this Digicel Caribbean Championship will represent the CFU at the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Guyana is down to host group ‘B’ of the championship (August 4 – 11) which will also involve nemesis Suriname and another country to be named shortly.
Two games from this group are expected to be played at the National Stadium, Providence while the other match-up is scheduled for the Blairmont Community Centre ground, West Coast Berbice.
Group ‘C’ to be held in the Cayman Islands will take place from August 27 – 31 between the host, Bermuda, Antigua & Barbuda and St. Maarten.
Group ‘D’ will see St. Kitts & Nevis entertaining Barbados and the British Virgin Islands playing from September 24 – 28, while group ‘E’ which involves host Martinique, St. Vincent & The Grenadines and Anguilla will be contested between September 15 – 19, closing out first round play.
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