CONCACAF U-17 draw to be televised live worldwide

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, Captain Horace Burrell, says he is waiting with bated breath for today's group draw ceremony for the CONCACAF Under-17 Championship, the region's qualifying tournament for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which will be held at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort and Spa, Montego Bay, St James.

The draw, which will be televised live around the world and is being held for the first time outside of New York, United States, will get under way at 12:30 p.m. and will be conducted by CONCACAF and FIFA officials, including Burrell and Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.

Historic draw

"It is the first time that the live draw for the tournament is being held outside of New York and I am very delighted, especially given the fact that it will be live on television all over the world," Burrell told The Gleaner yesterday.

"This tournament, in more than one way, is really a very good and welcome change for football development in our country, and by extension the region.

"We anticipate a successful hosting of the tournament, which we hope will generate a lot of interest in youth football development, which is critical at this point," he explained.

The draw, which will be conducted by CONCACAF's deputy general secretary, Ted Howard, and director of marketing and television, Manolo Zubiria, is expected to see the 12 participating countries being chosen on a seeded and non-seeded basis with hosts Jamaica, United States and Canada, expected to lead the way.

The other participating countries will be Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, Haiti and Barbados.

The championship will be held at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium, and Catherine Hall Stadium, St James, between February 14-27.