Football/Soccer - Digicel Caribbean Championships 2008 launches in Curaçao

ribertm07 · Published by ribertm07- 07-22-08

Digicel Caribbean Championships 2008 launches in Curaçao

Netherlands Antilles, Grenada and Dominica kick off tournament on 27 July

Posted on July 17, 2008

Wednesday, 16 July - Willemstad, Curacao: Digicel, proud sponsors of Caribbean Football, today officially launched the Digicel Caribbean Championships 2008 at a press conference in Curacao.

Fixtures for the upcoming tournament, which promises to be even bigger and better than last DCC, were unveiled - as well as an announcement by the CFU of a change to the name of the tournament. Previously known as the Digicel Caribbean Cup, the newly named Digicel Caribbean Championships reflects more appropriately the magnitude and size of the tournament in line with other World football tournaments.

The Digicel Caribbean Championships kicks off in Curacao on 27 July with the Netherlands Antilles, Grenada and Dominica making up Group A. The tournament will run over a five-month period, culminating in what is sure to be another exciting final in Jamaica in December.

President of the Caribbean Football Union and Vice President of FIFA, Jack Warner, said of today's launch, "Following the huge success of the last Digicel Cup, I am delighted to announce a change to the name of the tournament. The Digicel Caribbean Championships reflects the massive growth of the tournament over the last few years, from being a week-long cup-event four years ago to a much larger scale tournament that encompasses more games and participating teams than ever before. I'm looking forward to seeing some exciting football over the coming months and hope that Caribbean football fans come out in force to support their national teams."

Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship, Kieran Foley, also commented, "Digicel is looking forward to this year's Digicel Caribbean Championships as being the biggest and best tournament yet. The excitement amongst football fans across the region, particularly at the final between Trinidad & Tobago and ultimate winners, Haiti, was a big element in the success of last year's tournament. With all important World Cup qualifying games occurring during this time period, it allows the teams to get more games, fans to see more football as well as more development of the sport across the region overall."

Digicel announced its initial four year sponsorship of the Digicel Caribbean Cup in May 2004 and in June 2007, extended its contract until 2011. Digicel is committed to supporting the development of football across the region through its various initiatives such as; sponsorship of 14 Football Federations and Football Associations; Digicel Kickstart Football Clinics and Digicel International matches, to name but a few.

See other related medias:

Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship Kieran Foley and CFU President Jack Warner at a press conference to launch the Digicel Caribbean Championships

Haitian Louis Dieulifaite returns the DCC trohpy on behalf of his country to CFU President Jack Warner

Digicel Group Sponsorship Manager Shelly Ann Curran with CFU President Jack Warner and Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship Kieran Foley