Tuesday, 4 May 2010 – Road Town, Tortola: Twenty six (26) teams have registered to take part in the Wilbert “Shabunda” Fahie 2010 National Basketball League, powered this year by Digicel.

The BVI Basketball Federation is busy finalizing arrangements to host what is expected to be the best tournament in the history of basketball in the Territory. From all reports, the teams are also all very excited and gearing up to snatch the coveted championship title, the prizes and bragging rights for the next year.

On behalf of the Federation, President Byron “Chucky” Hodge and Secretary Delia Jon Baptiste successfully negotiated a deal with Digicel, which has signed on as sponsors of the National Basketball League for the next two years. Digicel CEO Alan Bates signed the contract on April 15^th, 2010.

“We are absolutely delighted to come on board as the major and exclusive telecoms sponsor of the BVI National Basketball League,” stated Bates. “This is yet another great opportunity for us to partner with the sporting community in providing wholesome entertainment for not only the Territory’s youth, but everyone in general.”

Bates said Digicel will not only contribute $10,000 in cash towards the hosting of this year’s tournament, but will throw its full support behind the league by providing marketing and public relations and half time entertainment on select nights, exciting competitions and have promotional giveaways as well.

For his part, Mr. Hodge said the BVI Basketball Federation is proud to be affiliated with Digicel, The Bigger, Better Network, as they host this year’s tournament. “We really must thank Digicel for its support, we welcome all of the teams that will be taking part in the league and we invite the entire Virgin Islands to come out and be a part of the excitement.”

Hodge said the number of teams has increased over last year and all will looking to come out victorious in their respective divisions.

The 2010 National Basketball League begins this Saturday 8 May with a march past starting at 4:00pm from the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports building to the Multi Purpose Sports Complex. The opening ceremony will hear remarks from Government representatives and officials from the Federation and the sponsors. Prizes from the 2009 tournament will also be presented.

The 2009 Junior Division champs were Another Level; Intermediate Division Champs: All or Nothing from Virgin Gorda; and Senior Division 3-peat champions – East.

The teams taking part in the 2010 league have been divided into the following divisions:

Junior Division: And One, On Ah Roll, Jr. East, Jr. Pure Playaz, Sea Cow’s Bay, Another Level, Young Gunners, Fo Real, Hawks and Jr. Mystics.

Intermediate Division: Black Comm, Manilenos, Doom Squad, Rebels, Da Boys, Pure Playaz, Off a Chainz, Against the World and Redder than Red.

Senior Division: Fire & Rescue, Against Da Oddz, Mega Mix, East, Speed Zone (Under 19 National Team), Young Legs and All or Nothing.

For more information on the BVI Basketball Federation League, please contact Secretary Delia Jon Baptiste at +1 284 340 4149.

For more information about Digicel BVI, please call +1 284 300 2273, drop by in store or visit www.digicelbvi.com.

ABOUT DIGICEL GROUP

After eight years of operation, Digicel has 8.8 million customers across its Caribbean and Central American markets and is renowned for competitive rates, unbeatable coverage, superior customer care, a wide variety of products and services and state-of-the-art handsets. By offering innovative wireless services and community support, Digicel has become a leading brand in the Caribbean and has placed the region at the cutting-edge of wireless communications – the company is also a recent entrant to the Central American and Pacific markets.

Digicel is incorporated in Bermuda and now has operations in 32 markets world-wide. Its Caribbean and Central American markets comprise Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, El Salvador, French Guiana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Panama, St Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Turks & Caicos. The Caribbean company also has coverage in St. Martin and St. Barths. Digicel Pacific comprises Fiji, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.

In total, across its 32 markets, Digicel has 10.3 million subscribers.

Visit www.digicelgroup.com  for more information on Digicel.

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