AFTER SIX weeks of training and scouting across the region, Digicel Kick Start Clinics' head coach, John Barnes, yesterday selected eight Caribbean Under-20 footballers to take part in one week of training at Barclays Premier League side Sutherland.

Barnes made the announcement at a press conference at the Terra Nova Hotel yesterday, which was also attended by Austin 'Jack' Warner, president of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU), Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), and Colm Delves, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Digicel Group.

Akeem Brown was the selection from Jamaica. Brown is a former national Under-17 midfield player who attends Wolmer's Boys' School. Two Haitians and two players from St Kitts and Nevis were also selected.

Midfielders

The Haitians are midfielders Joseph Guemsley, 18, and Renaud Brisley, 18. The Kittitians are midfielders Gerard Williams, 19, and Devaughn Elliott, 16. The others selectees are Leston Paul, 17, a midfielder from Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname midfielder Emilio Limon, 19, and Andrew Murray, 17, of Guyana..

At the end of the camp, the youngsters will visit the Stadium of Light to watch Sunderland take on West Ham United in a Premier League game

Barnes, who is a former England and Liverpool midfielder, said he was delighted with the level of talent shown by the youngsters across the region.

"In the six weeks of travelling, we have seen an abundance of talent, dedication, toughness and commitment," said Barnes "It is important for all the boys to know that the chosen eight players will represent everyone of them.

"They are Caribbean ambassadors and my hope, and I know it also the hope of Digicel and the CFU, is that their journey to the UK will open people's eyes to the potential of the Caribbean as an untapped talent pool."

- R.B.