Trinidad and Tobago footballers Carlos Edwards and Jason Scotland on Thursday signed autographs, posed for photographs with fans as they celebrated the start of a sponsorship relationship with Digicel Trinidad and Tobago.
The leading telecommunications network will sponsor the duo for two years and hold several clinics to bring the players closer to the local communities who follow their exploits on the field.
Niall Dorrian, CEO, Digicel TT, explained that his organisation chose Edwards and Scotland to be the face of their company as both have stood out as role models and have contributed greatly to the national team.
He noted that Digicel are closely involved with football in TT, recently sponsoring the Digicel Pro League as well as working with the La Foucade Soccer Clinic.
“We’re very much involved with football on the grass-root level,” Dorian said.
Sunderland midfielder Edwards revealed that he was elated to be on board the Digicel project and is looking forward to bigger and better things with “the bigger, better network”.
Swansea striker Scotland also expressed his joy of working with Digicel.
He revealed that he is pleased with his 24-goal haul in the 2008-2009 Coca Cola Championship season but the sky is the limit and he will be trying his best to continue improving.
He revealed a desire to play in the lucrative English Premiership but is currently weighing his options.
Scotland may get his chance this season as he is reportedly being targetted by Premiership duo Wigan Athletic and newly promoted Burnley.
Meanwhile, versatile winger Carlos Edwards expressed optimism in TT’s chances of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup despite the country being at the bottom of the standings with two points from five matches. Edwards said he is excited about the addition of midfielder Hayden Tinto to the national squad but is not “totally happy” about him claiming his position on the right side of the midfield.
“Hayden has come into the team and done really well. He scored his first international goal and I’m happy for him,” Edwards stated, “He took my position but I’m happy to play any position and even if it’s not my natural role I can do a good job,” he added.
Edwards is keeping faith with the decisions being made by national coach Russell Latapy and has called on the public to back the “Little Magician”
“Russell knows what he is doing. We need to give him time to get his blend in. He’s a young manager,” Edwards said.