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Coach Kyle Lightbourne

IslandStats.com

St Thomas USVI: USVI is preparing to play host to three countries competing in the Digicel Caribbean Cup Football tournament scheduled to take place throughout the Caribbean over the next six months. Group C encompasses Dominican Republic, Bermuda and BVI with games taking place September 27-October 1st at the Lionel Roberts National Stadium.

At a press conference held today in the Presidential suite at the Marriot Hotel, to update the local press and football fraternity on plans for the tournament, Derrick Martin President of the USVI Soccer Federation said that his country was eagerly anticipating the tournament. "We are delighted to host the Digicel Caribbean Cup Football tournament," he said.

According to Mr. Martin "we are pleased at the planning, organisation and funding that Digicel and the Caribbean Football Union have invested into this tournament, and as a participating country we want to do well."

According to Kieran Foley, Group Sponsorship Manager, Digicel has increased sponsorship of the region’s premier international football tournament which has led to an expanded and improved final round format and increased prize money, placing it on par with other major international football tournaments around the world.

He said that Digicel’s increased investment has resulted in a substantial increase in prize money with qualifying groups’ winners taking home prize money for the first time and the ultimate Digicel Caribbean Cup Champions netting US$120,000.

Team Captain John Ferguson and Technical Director Clinton were both optimistic at the chances that were available to the USVI. "The training regime has increased dramatically in the last few weeks and is a chance for our mix of experienced players and young up and coming stars to show the people of USVI our true talent", Ferguson mentioned.

The Digicel Caribbean Cup tournament was launched in Kingston Jamaica on Thursday, August 17th, and has already began on Saturday, September 2 at the National Stadium in Havana Cuba. Cuba and Cayman Islands qualifying thus far along with Suriname and Guyana who were victorious from Group A recently held in Curacao

During all matches, Digicel intends to continue its trends of meeting the needs of the fans and towards this end has developed a number of initiatives to enhance their experience. These include Digicel gifts and football memorabilia, chances to win cash and prizes in promotional games and activities. Digicel will also create a party carnival type atmosphere at each game with football beat entertainment by the vivacious and energetic Digi girls.

With a record twenty-five teams entered for this year’s competition, the tournament promises to be the largest ever Caribbean football competition. A second round of qualifying groups in November will be followed by an all new eight team finals in Trinidad and Tobago in January 2007, a significantly expanded finals tournament by comparison to the four team finals of 2004/5.