23 Nations, One goal
… DCC launched yesterday
In Trinidad and Tobago, compliments of Digicel
OVER US$270 000 will be up for grabs when this year’s Digicel Caribbean Cup which is being sanctioned by the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) gets under way from October 2 to 25 across the Caribbean, culminating with the finals on December 5 in Martinique.
According to Digicel’s Group Marketing Operations director Kieran Foley, this biennial tournament is the largest amongthe Caribbean federations, serving as a qualifier for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which serves as a qualifier for the FIFA World Cup.
Back in May 2004, Digicel announced its sponsorship of the Caribbean Cup formerly known as the ‘Cope Caribe’, following which the Ireland-based company received a special award from former South African President Nelson Mandela in recognition of its investment.
President of the CFU and CONCACAF and vice-president of FIFA Austin ‘Jack’ Warner expressed his delight to be a part of the glittering launching ceremony of the marquee football tournament of the Caribbean which was held at the Hyatt Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday.
“I am delighted to be here to mark the launch of the Digicel Caribbean Cup 2010. It’s amazing to think that just six years ago, the tournament was only one week long with 16 matches being played.
“Today, we have a tournament that can stand alongside some of the biggest football tournaments in the world, with 23 teams from across the Caribbean competing in 55 matches being held over nine weeks for the honour of being crowned the Digicel Caribbean Cup champions and at the same time, pocketing the US$120 000 first place award,” stated Warner.
Warner thanked Digicel for remaining committed to the tournament here in the Caribbean and wished all the teams best of luck, while adding he is looking forward to seeing some world class football throughout the tournament.
While outlining the format of this year’s tournament, Foley said the year 2010 was an exciting year for Digicel and football in the Caribbean.
“Once again, Digicel is delighted to be a part of the Caribbean Cup. As we all know, football is the most popular sport in the world and it has been dear to us over the years, not to mention this year, with the Digicel-sponsored broadcast of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, followed by the Digicel Kick Start Clinics and now the Caribbean Cup,” said Foley.
He added; “With the launch of a massive marketing campaign entitled ‘23 Nations, One Goal’, this year’s tournament promises to be even bigger and better. Even our customers can expect a whole host of exciting promotions during the tournament in each Digicel market, with two lucky customers being given a chance to witness the finals in Martinique on the December 5.
What we are trying to do here is what we did for the South Africa World Cup, where numerous Digicel customers were given the chance to travel to the African country and witness the finals and we are hoping to attract the same level of intensity for this tournament.”
While both Warner and Foley were high in praise for the tournament and its meaning to the Caribbean, Minister of Sport in the Twin Island Republic Aneil Roberts has challenged coach of the Soca Warriors Russell Latapy to deliver the goods or face the axe.
“When I was coach of the Trinidad and Tobago’s athletics team at the world championships back in 2003, I let greed overcome me, wherein I cost my country gold with my decision, leaving us to settle for fourth place instead.
“I told myself that once I fail again, I will quit and that’s what I did. Russell whom I call ‘Little Magician’ and I are close, but I am not going to let friendship get in the way of success, so I am saying to him today, you need to deliver the goods or face the axe.”
He continued to state, “This Government has endorsed the Digicel Caribbean Cup, therefore we expect nothing less than success on December 5. We must qualify for the Gold Cup and even the World Cup in Brazil in 2014. Sports tourism is going to be a thrust in this country and football is going to start that thrust, starting with the Digicel Cup.”
Twenty-three nations have entered this year’s tournament which kicks off with a double-header in Puerto Rico on October 2, with St Maarten taking on the Cayman Islands from 18:00 h, followed by the Anguilla/ Puerto Rico clash at 20:00 h.
The participating countries have been divided into seven groups, with Puerto Rico, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominican Republic and T&T each hosting a group.
Martinique has been given the rightful opportunity to host the finals, which they along with the six top teams and the 2008 champions Jamaica will contest.
Apart from the $120 000 first prize, the winner will walk away with a beautiful DCC trophy, while the first, second and third runners-up will each pocket US$70 000, $50 000 and $30 000 respectively and earn a place to compete in the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup in the USA.