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Caribbean Cup finals 2005
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Friday 11, February-2005
 That’s
what Digicel group sponsorship director Marguerite Cremin (with cup) seems
to be asking Barbados’ footballers, captain John Parris (third right),
Norman Forde (second right) and Michael Forde (right) at yesterday’s
ceremony for the Digicel Caribbean Cup finals. President of the Barbados
Football Association Ronald Jones (left) and Sahra O’Neil, Digicel’s
head of marketing/communication look on.
by Ezra Stuart
A SPARKLING sterling silver Digicel Caribbean Cup Trophy was unveiled in
grand style in Barbados for the first time yesterday.
The unveiling ceremony took place at a Press conference at the South
Coast Turtle Beach Hotel where Barbados’ football captain John Parris
and teammates Norman Forde and Michael Forde got a first-hand opportunity
to see the trophy, which depicts footballers in the heat of play.
Host country Barbados, eight-time Caribbean champions Trinidad and Tobago,
Cuba, and two-time winners Jamaica are vying for the specially-designed
trophy and a first prize of US$100 000.
The Digicel Cup is the most lucrative football tournament to be played
in the Caribbean with the sponsors pumping US$1.5 million over a four-year
period.
The second placed team will receive a cheque for US$50 000 while the
teams finishing third and fourth will also be substantially rewarded with
US$30 000 and US$20 000, respectively.
In addition, the Barbados Football Association (BFA), which is hosting
the finals on behalf of Caribbean Football Union (CFU), has received a
grant of US$50 000.
The trophy, which has a black granite base, carries the CFU’s logo
and incorporates the flags from each CONCACAF country which participated
in the tournament.
“The modern and inspirational design of the trophy represents our
vision for the Caribbean Cup tournament as a premier international tournament,”
Digicel group sponsorship director Marguerite Cremin said yesterday.
“We take great pride in being title sponsor of this inaugural Digicel
Caribbean Cup and are committed to its growth,” she added.
Cremin, who is based in Jamaica, also congratulated all the teams which
competed in the preliminary rounds of the Digicel Cup for their commitment
to the tournament.
It is only the second time the prestigious Caribbean football finals
will be held in Barbados after the hosting of the inaugural Shell Cup
finals in 1989.
Arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica meet in the opening match
on February 20 at 6 p.m. and this will be followed by the feature encounter
between Barbados and Cuba at 8 p.m.
The Top 3 teams in the finals will automatically qualify for the 2005
CONCACAF Gold Cup in the United States from July 6 to 24.
Compliments of the http://www.nationnews.com
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