HARBOUR VIEW football club is keen to host an international tournament involving a number of top European clubs next April.
According to club manager Clyde Jureidini the request was made by clubs including AC Milan and Barcelona at the Romeo and Juliet football tournament held in Vicenza, Italy from September 4-9.
"Both finalists - in the Under-17 category in which we participated - AC Milan and Barcelona have asked to come here for a similar tournament," Jureidini said earlier this week after returning from Italy.
"Right now we are looking at sponsors and will approach the government. We are looking at hotels, grounds and air transportation as possible sponsors," he said.
The tournament would be an excellent opportunity for the tourism industry," Jureidini said. It would take place in April with games possibly being held in Montego Bay, Kingston and Ocho Rios.
"There are a lot of possibilities. Nothing is confirmed yet but with a lot of hard work, assistance and good luck we hope we can fulfil some more dreams for other Jamaicans," he said.
"We would have agents and international clubs here so local footballers could have a chance to impress."
On the Romeo and Juliet tournament, Jureidini said it was a good learning experience for his team; playing against top European clubs in a high quality environment. The team played three matches in a four-team group losing 2-0 to AC Milan, 2-1 to Nottingham Forest and beating Verona 3-2 after coming from behind twice.
"Overall, we placed third in our group of four behind AC Milan, Nottingham Forest and ahead of Verona.
"Going there we thought we were a lot of steps behind but found out pleasantly that we were behind but not as far back as we first thought. With more in-depth preparation, exposure and acclimatisation we could have done better."
Nodley Wright
