Montego Bay, Jamaica – Jamaica’s Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture the Honourable Olivia Grange, MP has expressed disappointment that the Haitian national youth football team has had to withdraw from the CONCACAF Under 17 tournament being held in Montego Bay, St. James.
The Haitian delegation withdrew from the competition Tuesday night, on the eve of its second game against El Salvador citing an inability to field a complete starting line up for the match.
The Haitian squad was affected by illness; three members of the delegation (including the coach) were confirmed with malaria. Several other members of the squad were showing symptoms of the illness and were being treated by Jamaican health authorities who confirmed that the cases were imported into the island.
Minister Grange said it was “a very disappointing development, especially for the young Haitian boys who spent long hours preparing to play in this tournament only for malaria to ruin their chances. I know that everyone in Jamaica empathises with them.”
The Minister confirmed that most members of the Haiti delegation, including those confirmed with malaria, departed Jamaica today (Wednesday) on a special charter to Port-au-Prince. However, seven members of the delegation, who were unable to travel today will be able to depart the island tomorrow on commercial flights.
“We will miss Haiti in this tournament; we wish all the affected members a speedy recovery; and we look forward to welcoming Haitian teams back to Jamaica soon for football and other sports,” added Minister Grange.
