The Caribbean players invited to the Digicel Kick Start Clinic at the Manchester City Football Academy in England have heaped praise on the telecommunications company for providing the opportunity to fine-tune their talent.

Training for the one-week camp, which is organised by Digicel in collaboration with English Premier League club Manchester City, is set to commence today.

“Thanks to Digicel for keeping this wonderful clinic for the youths and I also want to thank my (high school) coach Neville Bell,” said St George’s College attacking player Akeem Robotham.

“I’m eager to get on the pitch… I want to stay at the academy and impress the coaches and showcase my talent,” added Robotham.

Jamaica College’s Maliek Howell had similar sentiments, despite the frigid winter conditions.

“I’m excited and eager to play, eager just to touch the pitch,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

Howell says “hard work, discipline and consistency” can help him to get into an academy and ultimately become a professional player.

“I feel excited and I can’t wait to start training,” said Alain Skerritt, the attacking midfielder from Excelsior High.

“I think it’s a great opportunity… my expectation is for coaches to see me and to be one of the best players in England. I want to thank Digicel Kick Start for providing the opportunity to be in England,” said Tyrell Emmanuel, the attacking midfielder from Trinidad & Tobago.

Two other Trinidadians, central attacker Jean-Paul Rochford and goalkeeper Elijah Shade, both welcome the chance to perform on a platform where they can be wooed by scouts.

The players are all hoping to meet members of the Manchester City starting team, including superstars such as Sergio Aguero, David Silva, Yaya Toure, Jamaican-born Raheem Sterling, Pablo Zabaleta, Vincent Kompany and Joe Hart.

Petrona Peart, project manager for Digicel Group, said two youngsters from Haiti were not able to make the trip due to visa-related issues.

— Antonio Graham