Champions League trophy heading to Jamaica ... van Nistelrooy to accompany coveted cup to the island

Ruud van Nistelrooy, one of the UEFA Champions League's top scorers, will be gracing local shores as Heineken UEFA Champion League trophy tour brand ambassador with the much-coveted trophy spending time in the island from March 20 to 23.

The mega event is dubbed Heineken UEFA Champions League Trophy Tour, a four-day fan powered event.

The 'big ears' trophy, will be showcased across the island, starting with an introductory press conference at Red Stripe's head office shortly after its arrival in the island on March 20 and then a stop at the Triple Century Bar and Grill on the same day. Usain Bolt Tracks and Records and the National Stadium will be the other viewing venues on the 21st with Football Factory, Margaritaville (Ocho Rios) on March 22nd and Pier One in Montego Bay on the 23rd providing the other opportunities for fans to see the trophy.

The event was launched in a colourful spectacle on Tuesday night at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston.

Speaking via a video recording, Nistelrooy, who played as a striker for European giants Manchester United and Real Madrid, is looking forward to meeting local fans.

"Hello, Jamaica, on the 23rd of March, I will be coming to Jamaica. I am an ambassador of Heinekin's UEFA Champions League trophy tour. That's the reason why I will be coming to Jamaica, and I am not coming alone.

"I am coming with the UEFA Champions League Trophy, and I hope to meet you all there, respect Jamaica," he said.

THREE-TIME CHAMPIONS

The Dutchman is a three-time Champions League top scorer, and the fourth highest Champions league scorer in history, with 56 goals.

Minister of Finance, Audley Shaw, who was a guest speaker at the launch, called it an important and significant event, labelling it as a special occasion for Jamaica to be the first Caribbean host of the prestigious trophy.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Nuncio, Managing Director of Red Stripe, which is a member of the Heineken company also underlined the significance of the tour.

"The trophy tour is very important, because we start the trophy tour here in Jamaica, and it's the first stop of the trophy around the world," Nuncio underlined.

Following the Jamaican tour, other countries set to receive the trophy include; Panama, Colombia, Egypt, India and Vietnam.