St Kitts-Nevis national football team India-bound for cup matches

The senior men’s St Kitts-Nevis national football team is heading to India next month to participate in the 2017 Champions Cup.

Twenty-four players have begun training for a tournament, which takes place from 17-27 August.

As well as the host country, St Kitts and Nevis will be playing alongside Mauritius in the tri-nation tournament.

Head Coach Jacques Passy, speaking from Mexico, said, “For the first time in the history of football in St Kitts and Nevis, we have been invited to be part of an international tournament with our senior national football team.”

“This is a invitation tournament, and because of our 2016 ranking that we achieved, because of the way we are approaching football, because of the association’s tremendous approach to international football, to allow us to compete all over the world, St Kitts and Nevis was chosen by the AIFF.”

‘Top opportunity’

The Champions Cup competition consists of a league system, with the winner and runner-up playing one final match.

All of the matches will take place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.

The final team selection will go to India accompanied by Jeffrey Hazel, George Isaac, Kenneth Douglas and Roger Hendricks.

According to Passy, St Kitts and Nevis is showing the courage and the strength to be a part of international football.

The manager said it is important for the senior team to compete in upcoming tournaments that would lead to the Gold Cup in 2019.

“Our way, our methodology, our vision is to compete internationally, and having this invitation by India, where India is part of our vision, our preparation this year for me is a tremendous honour, and I want to say thank you to the Football Association, thank you to the India Football Federation, for allowing us to be part of this tournament.”

According to Passy, this tournament provides an opportunity for several locally based young players.

“I’m going to take this opportunity to truly provide individual opportunities for many young local players who have been fighting, truly asking for top opportunity in the National team.”