Young footballers in T&T received an added boost towards their careers as Digicel, Digicel Sportsmax and the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) signed a five-year partnership worth US$1.5 million at the All Out Restaurant and Bar on Tragarete Road, Port-of-Spain, yesterday.
Oliver McIntosh, CEO and president of Digicel Sportsmax, said the partnership was in the making for some time. He said: “We are very proud to be here and to sign this deal with the SSFL. It has been three years in the making.”
McIntosh stated that Sportsmax always expressed interest in the SSFL and has kept in contact with president of the SSFL Anthony Creed in the past. Sportsmax has broadcasted schools football in Jamaica and when Sportsmax began 13 years ago they wanted to invest in sport throughout the Caribbean including the televising and production of sports.
McIntosh explained that Sportsmax will have state-of-the-art cameras and will carry the SSFL Intercol final live on November 30. The final will be shown on Sportsmax, Sportsmax Two, and CEEN TV, which will be seen by viewers in USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. McIntosh added that there is a lot of talent in the Caribbean.
“The are many more Shaka Hislops, Russell Latapys, Stern Johns, Carlos Edwards and Kenwyne Jones that the world needs to see. I am proud to say that we are part of the SSFL family.”
The SSFL players will also get the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of international scouts, as Digicel Sportsmax will host college and university coaches in T&T. The players will feature in matches and training in an effort to impress foreign coaches.
Creed welcomed the new partners saying, “For the past eight years the SSFL has had three partners and it is a pleasure as the season comes to a close we welcome two new partners - Digicel and Digicel Sportsmax.”
Also in attendance was Digicel CEO for T&T Sacha Thompson, who was excited about the new partnership.
“Digicel Sportsmax is really proud to announce our new partnership with the Secondary Schools Football League for the next five years. The truth is Digicel has been supporting these guys (schools football) for the past few years. With our whole acquisition and partnership with Sportsmax it all comes together beautifully.”
Thompson explained that Digicel has always shown an interest in football since the company came to T&T nine years ago. She said that Digicel has been involved at a developmental and professional level including the La Foucade Football Clinic and the annual Digicel Kickstart Clinic where Digicel partners with English premiership club Manchester City.
