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Digicel Announces Sponsorship of the Haitian Football Federation
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Digicel, the fastest growing mobile telecommunications operator in the Caribbean that is preparing to transform wireless communication services in Haiti, has announced an unprecedented multi-million dollar sponsorship agreement with the Haitian Football Federation (HFF).
The initial four-year partnership with the HFF is designed to grow Haitian football to its true potential in advance of Digicel's imminent launch in Haiti. Digicel's commitment represents the most significant, single corporate investment ever made in Haitian sport and in the National League's history.
At a recent gala to celebrate the new partnership between Digicel and the Haitian Football Federation in Port Au Prince, Mr. Paul Berne, Haitian Secretary of State for Youth, Sports and Civil Services, said, "Digicel's landmark investment in Haitian football marks a new era for the Football Federation and a very positive development for Haiti. The company's passion for delivering innovative technology and providing superior mobile phone services has earned Digicel phenomenal success over the past five years. We are confident that with this passion, Digicel is the right partner to grow Haitian football. We welcome Digicel's participation in the Haitian community and look forward to a long and rewarding relationship."
As a result of the partnership and sponsorship investment, 16 football teams and 550 football players from across the country will begin competing in Les Championnats de Digicel Division One. Digicel will supply new equipment and playing kits to all league teams and referees as well as additional training equipment for the National Senior Team.
Digicel will connect with fans by producing multifaceted promotional and viewing experiences. Football fans that support their local clubs throughout Haiti will experience football action at the top venues in the nation and through interactive mobile technology that brings Haitian fans closer to the game and to their football heroes.
Established in 1904, the Haitian Football Federation is one of the oldest in the region. Affiliated to FIFA in 1933, they have been taking part in regional international competition - when circumstances allow - for near-on three-quarters of a century.
"Football is the passion of the nation and our involvement will encourage great performances, support future football legends, and play a role in advancing the sport," said Ms. Ghada Gebara, CEO of Digicel Haiti. "From the onset of being awarded a mobile license in Haiti, we expressed our commitment to make an important contribution to the growth and development of Haiti's economy and society. Digicel takes enormous pride in becoming the official main sponsor of Haitian football. We are very excited about launching in Haiti and greatly enthused by the warm welcome we have been receiving from the community."
Digicel was awarded a GSM license to operate in Haiti in June 2005. With investments in the region at US$1 billion, Digicel operates in 15 countries across the Caribbean and employs over 1500 people of which 92 percent are Caribbean nationals.
About Digicel
Since its launch in 2001, Digicel has become the fastest growing wireless telecommunications operator in the Caribbean. In five years, Digicel has become renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services, and state-of-the-art handsets. It is the largest GSM operator in the region.
By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting edge of wireless communications.
Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and has operations in fifteen countries including Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Curacao, The Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad & Tobago. Digicel intends to expand to the French West Indies islands of Martinique, Guadeloupe and French Guiana with the acquisition of Bouygues Telecom Caraibe, subject to all the appropriate and necessary approvals.
The company is the lead sponsor of Caribbean sports teams including the West Indies Cricket Team, Special Olympics teams across the Caribbean and is title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which involves over 30 Caribbean countries and is an important qualifier towards the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Visit http://www.digicelgroup.com/ for more information on Digicel
Digicel
CONTACT: Maureen Rabbitt of Digicel Group, +1-876-361-2852 (Jamaica), or
Adam Paige of Cohn & Wolfe for Digicel, +1-212-798-9833 (New York)
Web Site: http://www.digicelgroup.com/
http://www.sys-con.com/read/195154.htm
Source : http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=326988
Étant Haitien de naissance, je jubile.
En espérant que le football puisse donner un peu réconfort à mon peuple qui le mérite tant.