Digicel, the best value mobile operator in the Caribbean, Central America and the Pacific, and official regional broadcast sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2010, today bid farewell to Lyndon Ferdinand, who will join 38 lucky customers from other Digicel markets as they will all travel to see the World Cup final live in South Africa.
 
The trip – which includes all flights and transfers from the winners’ home countries to South Africa, accommodation in a luxury hotel on a game reserve, spending money, a safari tour, official team gear and tickets to the final – comes to a total value of US$30,000 per person.
 
Speaking at V.C. Bird International Airport today was Lyndon Ferdinand, a Caricom National now residing in Antigua; “This is the beginning of my dream and I’m very excited about the trip to see the final match of the FIFA World Cup, and I’m even more thrilled that I’m travelling to the land of my dreams; South Africa.
I anticipate match day will be very exciting, and for me to see two of the best teams in the tournament go head to head for the title as it’s televised to millions of people around the world is surreal. Thanks to Digicel for making this possible”, he continued.
Digicel Group Head of Sponsorship, Karl Donnelly, said; “Digicel has been a proud supporter of football across the region for many years with numerous sponsorships of football teams and tournaments from the grass roots right through to national level. Today, we’re delighted to be taking 39 lucky football fans on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to South Africa to watch the biggest footballing event in the world.”
 
The 39 winners who departed today from Jamaica and Barbados come from 23 countries in the Caribbean.
 
FIFA Vice-President and CONCACAF President, Jack Warner, said of the prize; “In just a few short years, Digicel has become one of the largest supporters 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 in every four years.”
 
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.