Brooklyn, New York — Digicel, the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean and fastest growing operator in Central America and the Pacific, last Friday launched the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York, in association with Caribbean Cup Inc.

This is the second year of a three-year sponsorship which provides much-needed funds to stage the weekly rounds of the tournament, as well as marketing support and investment in player development.

The tournament is in its 19th year and features 12 representative teams from the Caribbean and South America. The Digicel Caribbean Cup New York begins on May 30 in Jefferson High School, 12508 Flatlands Ave, Brooklyn, New York with Guyana and Haiti kicking off proceedings at 4:30 pm. Fifteen weeks of exciting Sunday afternoon football will follow until the grand final of the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York, which takes place on Sunday, September 5.

Caribbean Cup Inc president Fred Ballantyne said at Friday’s launch in Brooklyn: “Last year was one of the most successful Digicel Caribbean Cups to date. Not only did we see an increase in support from media and spectators, but five of our players were drafted to play professional football in Europe. That speaks volumes about the calibre of football being played and how important it is for Caribbean and South American nationals living in New York to have the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious competition.

“Having a company such as Digicel — which is so heavily involved in football in the Caribbean and Central America — support in the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York is fantastic. We need all the assistance we can get to make sure that our players get all the necessary support to further their development and to ensure that fans can enjoy some great displays of Caribbean football talent.”

Digicel General Manager for the Diaspora, Valerie Estimé, said of Digicel’s support for the tournament; “Football is one of the most popular sports in the world and Digicel is committed to supporting the development of football across the Caribbean and Central American region. With so many Caribbean nationals living in New York passionately supporting their teams, we are delighted to be sponsoring the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York for the second year running.

“Digicel is also committed to ensuring that those living in the Diaspora region can avail of Digicel’s exciting range of services and, through our sponsorship of the Digicel Caribbean Cup New York, more and more people will be able to access these services.”

The format for the 19th Digicel Caribbean Cup New York is as follows:

Defending Digicel Caribbean Cup Champions Jamaica have automatically qualified for the East Zone, while runner up St Vincent & the Grenadines are in the West Zone. The zones this year will compete as follows:

East Zone — Jamaica, Guyana, Honduras, Haiti, St Lucia, and Columbia; West Zone — St Vincent & the Grenadines, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and St Kitts and Nevis. Opening Day admission is US$10. Admission up until August 8 will be US$8 and during the play-off games on August 15, 22nd and 29, tickets will be US$10.

Digicel has been involved in a wide range of football initiatives designed to support the development of football in the Caribbean and Central America over the last six years. Digicel, which has operations in 32 countries worldwide, sponsors 17 Football Federations and Leagues, as well as the Digicel Caribbean Cup and the Copa de Naciones Digicel in Central America.

Digicel also spearheads the Digicel Kick Start Clinics in the Caribbean and Central America, which offer young footballers the opportunity to train with renowned footballers such as Liverpool legends John Barnes and Ian Rush, as well as spend one week with UK Premier League Clubs, Sunderland AFC and Manchester City.