Digicel launches CFU Football action in Curacao.
By: Shaun Fuentes.[/size]
Following the launching of the 2006/2007 Digicel Caribbean Cup in Kingston, Jamaica earlier this month, Digicel held another launch for the preliminary stage of the competition in Curacao last Thursday as the Netherlands Antilles prepares to host one of the groups from September 6-10.
The four nations competing there will include Netherlands Antilles, Grenada, Guyana and Suriname. The top two teams will then advance to the second round in November leading up to the eight-team finals to be played in T&T from late January.
Digicel announced in Curacao that it intends to make the 2006/2007 tournament the biggest ever and has several promotions planned. The fans who attend matches are promised to enjoy - Free Digicel handouts and football memorabilia; Chances to win cash and prizes in promotional games and activities; Enjoy the party carnival type atmosphere that will be developed by Digicel at each game; Witness the dancing exploits of the Digi girls and be part of the football beat and kids will have a chance to be part of the tournament by becoming the team mascots with the international teams for the day.
Digicel Dutch Caribbean marketing manager Ciro Kroon expressed excitement ahead of the matches, saying: “This will not just be a football game, we will organize a grand party in the stadium. We are looking for all kinds of ways in which we can unite the Caribbean. We are doing so with telecommunications, but we want to do it through sports as well”.
“Football is a sport that is liked by everybody. Now’s the time to give the Caribbean island a chance. We have just seen the world cup games in which Trinidad & Tobago played. By organizing more of these events we are promoting sports and provide a stimulus for players throughout the region who would like to represent the Caribbean during the next World Cup” Kroon added.
Jean Francisca, President of the Netherlands Antilles Football Association said that his island will no doubt benefit from hosting the group.
“It is fantastic to welcome the Digicel Caribbean Cup to our country. With 6 matches to be played here, we are looking forward to a real festival of football with a rare opportunity for fans to enjoy international football on their doorstep and we look forward to welcoming big crowds for all the games,” Francisca said. Meantime, Cuba will also host one of the groups from September 2nd to 5th and have confirmed their fixtures as listed below.
Fixtures for Cuba group.
September 2[/b]
Bahamas v Cayman 3pm
Turks & Caicos v Cuba 5:15pm
September 4
Cayman v Turks & Caicos 3pm
Cuba v Bahamas 5:15pm
September 5
Turks & Caicos v Bahamas 3pm
Cuba v Cayman 5:15pm
Fixtures for Netherlands Antilles group
(games to be played at International Stadium).
September 6
Suriname vs Guyana 7pm
Netherlands Antilles vs Grenada 9pm
September 8
Suriname vs Grenada 7pm
Netherlands Antilles vs Guyana 9pm
September 10
Grenada vs Guyana 4pm
Netherlands Antilles vs Suriname 6pm
