August 17th, 2006 – Kingston, Jamaica:  A host of Caribbean football talent from Haiti to Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago gathered in Kingston, Jamaica today for a gala launch of the Digicel Caribbean Cup 2006/7. Title sponsors Digicel used the occasion to announce an 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.

A record number of twenty five Caribbean teams will compete in the 2006/7 Digicel Caribbean Cup held from September 2nd to February 11th, 2007, resulting in a total of 73 competitive matches, another milestone for the tournament and an increase of 24 from the inaugural Digicel Caribbean Cup two years ago.

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

Captain Horrace Burrell, Senior Vice President of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) and Executive Member of CONCACAF welcomed Digicel’s increased investment in Caribbean football at the DCC launch event today, stating:  “By continuing to invest in the growth of the region’s leading tournament, Digicel is playing a key role in the development of football talent in the region. An expanded Digicel Caribbean Cup with a final tournament similar to other international competitions will help young players gain experience in international tournaments, improve their skills and ultimately assist future World Cup qualification campaigns.”

The opening preliminary round will take place in six host countries – Antigua & Barbuda, Cuba, Curaçao, Guadeloupe, Jamaica and the US Virgin Islands. A second round of qualifying groups in November will be followed by a first ever, eight team finals in Trinidad & Tobago in February of 2007. The finals will take place over two weeks with 16 matches to decide the winners of the title of Digicel Caribbean Cup Champions. The DCC is also an important qualifier for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament.

According to Mr Ben Atherton, Digicel Marketing Director, Digicel’s increased investment reflects the company’s strong commitment to the development of football for fans and players across the region: “The Caribbean deserves an international football tournament that matches the prestige of similar international events and we are delighted to have worked in partnership with the CFU in expanding and enhancing the Digicel Caribbean Cup to provide fans and players the opportunity to enjoy more international football on home turf than ever before.”

Reigning Digicel Caribbean Cup Champions, the Reggae Boyz, reluctantly handed back the impressive sterling silver Digicel Caribbean Cup to the CFU, promising Jamaica football fans that it will return to Jamaica next year. T&T’s Soca Warriors fresh from their World Cup stint are among the favourites to win the tournament.

As the fastest growing mobile telecommunications company in the Pan Caribbean region, Digicel sponsors national football teams in many of its twenty markets including Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados and Turks & Caicos. The Caribbean company is also lead sponsor of the West Indies Cricket team and many Special Olympics national teams across the region.

About the Caribbean Football Union (CFU)

The Caribbean Football Union was founded on the 28th of January 1978.   Its head office is situated in Trinidad & Tobago under the distinguished leadership of Mr Jack Warner as Founding Member and President of the CFU, founding member of CONCACAF and President of FIFA.

The union has a membership of 30 Caribbean countries.  Its mandate is to develop football across the Caribbean involving various age groups from youth to senior players.  Its partnership since 2004 with the exciting brand, Digicel, has significantly raised the profile and status of the Caribbean Cup and is positively developing the interest of players and fans, and expanding the growth of football in the region.