Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) has confirmed that the Reggae Boyz will play Switzerland on March 22, in Fort Lauderdale, before tackling Panama, at home, on March 26.

JFF president, Crenston Boxhill, said as part of his plan to have an active year, "fans will have a steady diet of international friendlies as we build up to the World Cup qualifiers".

"Now, we have step up the pace. Over the next two weeks we will be involved in two international friendlies, one away and on at the office," said Boxhill at a press briefing held at his St Lucia Avenue office yesterday.

Telecommunications giant Digicel will sponsor the Panama game at the National Stadium as part of their plan to deliver a series of international matches across the region.

Although Digicel declined to announce how much the sponsorship will cost, Calum MacDougal, the group head of sponsorship indicated that, "it is a six figure in US dollars".

More int'l matches needed

Commenting on the initiative, MacDougal noted that after the huge success of the Digicel Caribbean Cup and the Copa de Naciones 2007, a Digicel survey revealed that more international matches were needed to improve the teams in the region, hence the label ? Digicel International matches. Digicel customers in Jamaica will enjoy discounted prices for tickets to the Reggae Boyz versus Panama friendly as fans showing their Digicel handset when buying tickets on the gate will pay only J$300 for bleacher tickets and J$1000 for grandstand tickets.

Yvonne Wilks, head of marketing at Digicel Jamaica, said it takes cash to care and Digicel do care.

Said Wilks, "I just want to assure the JFF that we are ready to assist in any way we can at all levels".

She continued, "This is a very important day in the development of football across the region because today, we launch the Digicel International Friendly Matches".

In the meantime, the JFF announced an 18-man local squad that started training yesterday. It includes four newcomers. Mitchily Waul, John Ross and Errol Stephens from Harbour View's under 21 team along with Demar Howard of Frome Technical have been drafted to train with the team.

The remainder of the squad includes Richard McCallum and Demar Phillips (Waterhouse); Allien Whittaker (JDF); Xavian Virgo (Boys' Town), Dwayne Williams, Mario Harrison and Nicholy Finlayson (Reno); Mario Swaby and Steven Morrisey (Portmore United); Nicora Plummer (Bull Bay); Jeff Pearce (Village United); Keneil Moodie (Seba) and Donovan Davis (St George's FC).

Send comments to howard. walker@gleanerjm.com