Tuesday, August 19, 2008 – San Jose, Costa Rica:  Digicel, the fastest-growing telecommunications operator in the Caribbean and new entrant to the Central American market, was yesterday evening announced as the principal sponsor of FEDEFUTBOL, the Football Federation for Costa Rica.

Just over two weeks ago, Digicel was unveiled as the main sponsors of the Honduras National Football Federation, FENAFUTH. Since then, Digicel has wasted no time in adding to its ever-expanding portfolio of national football teams and federations by now signing as principal sponsor of one of the strongest sides in Central America.

The sponsorship of the Costa Rica Federation brings the total number of Federations and Associations partnered with by Digicel to fifteen and sees Costa Rica joining a growing football portfolio that includes strong teams like El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras and Jamaica – and up and coming football nations like Barbados and Turks and Caicos.

Digicel is also the main title sponsor of the Digicel Caribbean Championships and the Copa de Naciones Digicel, the two sole regional football tournaments for the Caribbean and Central America. This latest four year deal with FEDEFUTBOL sees it further establishing its ties in CONCACAF football. Under the terms of the agreement, Digicel has the first option to extend beyond the current 2012 timeframe.

Speaking at the launch today, Luis La Rocca, VP Central America, Digicel, commented, “We are delighted to have been able to partner with one of the most successful national teams in CONCACAF. We’re proud of our track record of helping to bring football to people across the Caribbean and Central America and are excited about the opportunity to do the same here in Costa Rica.”

Digicel has developed extensive youth development programmes across the Caribbean. These have featured various national team members and international football stars such as former Liverpool and English international John Barnes - as well as former Marseille, Valencia and French international, Jocelyn Angloma.

Eduardo Li, President of FEDEFUTBOL, commented, “We are very excited about the partnership we have with Digicel. We have witnessed its development programmes and strong relationships across the Caribbean and Central America to make football bigger and better and are looking forward to further initiatives as this partnership develops.” 

Commenting from his official offices in Trinidad, President of CONCACAF and Vice President of FIFA, Austin Jack Warner, said, “We are very close allies with Digicel in the CONCACAF family and have been lucky to be the recipients of dynamic and first class promotions, youth initiatives and community development programmes. As such, I am truly delighted that Digicel and Costa Rica have agreed to this partnership.”

The partnership will see Digicel become the main principal sponsor of Costa Rica Football until 2012 and will provide the company with more opportunity for more football interaction and development with more Caribbean and Central American countries than ever before.

For match pictures and further information visit www.digicelfutbol.com or www.digicelfootball.com