One Antiguan will join 37 other Digicel winners from across the Caribbean to travel to South Africa in July

Digicel, the largest mobile operator in the Caribbean and official regional broadcast sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2010, today announced the winner of its “Win Your Way to South Africa” promotion which gives one lucky Digicel customer the prize of a lifetime.

The “Win Your Way to South Africa” promotion – which gives a winner an all-expenses-paid trip to see the final football game live in Johannesburg, South Africa - ran for almost 2 months and culminated today in an exciting grand draw during a live broadcast of The Digicel Show in the studios of 92.9 VYBZ FM. The lucky winner, Lyndon Ferdinand, was the third person to be called after the first two calls went unanswered; and he was a random selection from thousands of entries of Digicel customers who topped up $15 or more, paid their Digicel bill in full, bought a BlackBerry smartphone and activated a BlackBerry data service.

The prize - which includes all flights and transfers from Antigua to South Africa, accommodation in a luxury hotel on a game reserve, spending money, a safari tour, polo shirts and tickets to the final - comes to a total value of US$30,000.

Winner of this once in a lifetime Digicel promotion, Lyndon Ferdinand, said: “I’ve been a Digicel customer for a number of years and football has always been my favourite sport – but winning this trip is beyond my wildest dreams. I never thought I would be heading to South Africa to see the greatest teams in the world play each other in the world’s most prestigious tournament. I’d like to thank Digicel for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime trip and fantastic opportunity – I’m really excited about it and I can’t wait!”

Digicel Commercial Director, Johnny Ingle, said: “Digicel’s commitment to the development of football began in 2004 and since then has evolved throughout the Caribbean with numerous sponsorships from grass roots right through to national level.

“Today we’re delighted to be giving one of our valued customers this once-in-a-lifetime trip to witness the world’s best teams play against each other in the biggest footballing event in the world in South Africa next month.”

FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President, Jack Warner, said of the prize: “In just a few short years, Digicel has become the biggest supporter of football in the Caribbean and Central America. As well as sponsoring football federations and leagues across the region, Digicel has been instrumental in developing football clinics with renowned international coaches for aspiring young footballers.

“I am delighted that Digicel is giving football fans across the region the chance to witness football’s showpiece which takes place only once every four years and will be a fantastic opportunity to witness the crème de la crème of footballing talent,” he said.

Digicel has been involved in a wide range of football initiatives designed to support the development of football in the Caribbean and Central America over the last six years. Today, Digicel has operations in 32 countries worldwide and sponsors 17 National Football Federations and leagues, as well as the Digicel Caribbean Cup and the Copa de Naciones Digicel in Central America.

Digicel also spearheads the Digicel Kick Start Clinics in the Caribbean and Central America, which offer young footballers the opportunity to train with renowned footballers such as Liverpool legends, John Barnes and Ian Rush, as well as the chance to spend one week with UK Premier League Clubs, Sunderland AFC and Manchester City.

The local broadcast coverage in Antigua & Barbuda can be viewed on Sportsmax.