Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Digicel's commercial director Harry Smith (left) shakes hands with JFF president Creston Boxhill after announcing his company's $1.5 m sponsorship of the Reggae Boyz. - CONTRIBUTED
COMMUNICATIONS GIANTS Digicel delivered a timely service to the Reggae Boyz, injecting $1.5 million dollars into their preparation for the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament that will be played next month in the United States.
Harry Smith, Commercial Director of Digicel, made the announcement at a press conference held at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) Secretariat, New Kingston yesterday.
The sponsorship numbered among several announcements made at the function, as it was also announced that a Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) All-Star team will be selected to take on the national senior unit.
That match is scheduled to be played on Thursday, June 30 at the National Stadium at 7:00 p.m.
SNEAK
National coach Wendell Downswell says it will also present an opportunity for some players to sneak into the Gold Cup squad.
"It will give the national staff a chance to see players that we might not have seen and it is an opportunity to give the public a last glimpse of the national team before they leave for the Gold Cup," he said.
"The players will see this as a grand opportunity to showcase their talent and impress themselves, the media and the national technical staff. This venture will go a long way. It will serve as a filip for national selection," Downswell pointed out.
LOWE OUT
Fielding questions from the media, Downswell also confirmed that striker Onandi Lowe will not be considered for the Gold Cup tournament.
He said Lowe's demand for 25,000 pounds sterling from the JFF is the reason why he is not being considered for the team.
However, Downswell said the towering striker could be considered in future.
Meanwhile, the man in the streets will be involved in the selection of the Wray and Nephew NPL All-Stars team by voting via Digicel texting.
VOTE BY TEXT
Starting yesterday and running until Monday, June 13, Digicel customers will be able to text their votes to 4442433, to select the Wray and Nephew Premier League All Stars team from a selected pool of 49 players, whose names will be advertised in the media.
"Digicel will be allowing its customers to get more involved in the activities of the Reggae Boyz and their preparations for the Gold Cup," Smith said.
Additionally, there will be 100 grandstand seats to be won, with the main prize being an accommodation for two at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.
Crenston Boxhill, the JFF president, said this game will provide also give the public a chance to see the Boyz.
"It must be reminded that the Reggae Boyz have not played on home soil since the Digicel Cup in January and we know the fans are anxious to see the squad," Boxhill noted.
"I think the Digicel champions versus the Wray and Nephew All Star, with the technology of text messaging is a creative and innovative approach to promoting this aspect of sport," he noted.
Andrew Price, Communications and Promotions manager of Wray and Nephew, said his company is happy to be associated with the game.
"We have always been associated with football in this country and we will continue to be associated with the sport as we believe that it is the best medium to stir up unity within our nation.
"This game will inspire players in the NPL and football must be the winner."
