Jamaica to host Caribbean Women's final-round WCup qualifiers

The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is elated that CONCACAF has accepted its bid to host the Caribbean Women's Final Round Qualifiers at the National Stadium from August 25 to September 2.

First-round group winners Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Cuba, and Trinidad and Tobago will join the hosts in the round-robin tournament as they bid for one of the three places available in the CONCACAF Women's Championship.

JFF's president, Michael Ricketts, expressed his delight that Jamaica has been granted hosting rights. Ricketts also thanked the Minister of Sport, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, who agreed to make the National Stadium available for the five double-headers.

"This means that for the first time since 2006 Jamaican football lovers will be able to see the senior Reggae Girlz at the premier national football facility in the country. I encourage Jamaicans to prepare to see quality football from the best of Jamaica's female footballers," Ricketts said in a release from the JFF, yesterday.

Jamaica reached the second stage of qualifiers after topping their group in Haiti last May. The Reggae Girlz are expected to have a training camp at home ahead of the qualifiers.

SENIOR GIRLZ

The technical team, led by head coach Hue Menzies, has also opted to have a number of the senior Girlz represent Jamaica at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia, July 19-30. This will give the players excellent match practice ahead of the qualifiers as Jamaica will play Costa Rica, Colombia, and Venezuela in the first round of that tournament.

"These are extraordinary times for our female footballers, and this is just the beginning. I use the opportunity to call on corporate Jamaica to support these outstanding female footballers as they aim for excellence and to make Jamaica proud," ended Ricketts.

Andrew Price, assistant coach of the senior women's team, was also happy that the team is being given the opportunity to showcase their talent in front of home support.

"I am happy that the JFF's bid for hosting the final round of the Caribbean qualifiers was accepted. It is an advantage that counts for a lot in a tournament of this nature. This is an added filip for us in the quest for a spot in the World Cup next year," Price told The Gleaner yesterday.