MoBay hunt $4m to stage club championships

Reigning local national football champions Montego Bay United (MBU)are on the hunt for JA$4 million more in order to properly host the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship Group C.

The CFU approved MBU's request to host their group from February 20-27 at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay, St James.

The organisers granted US$104,000 (J$13.5 million) to last season's Red Stripe Premier League winners. However, they will need approximately JA$4 million to properly stage the leg in the regional clubs tournament.

"We had the option to host the group and did that. The CFU granted us, and now it is in process. We received US$104,000, but it will cost a total of JA$17 million," Orville Powell, chairman of MBU told STAR Sports yesterday, following the announcement by CFU this week.

Powell said by hosting the group, the country stands to benefit through sports tourism as Montego Bay is a tourist destination.

FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT

"This is what the club is about, so just like last year, we are hosts again. It will also help in the development of football here," he added.

MBU will clash with Elite Sports Club of the Cayman Islands, Grenades FC of Antigua and Barbuda, and Club Barcelona Atletico of the Dominican Republic.

Meanwhile, RSPL 2015-16 runners-up Portmore United are drawn in Group D alongside champions Central of Trinidad and Tobago, Scholars International of Cayman Islands, and SV Transvaal from Suriname.

The group is set to be hosted at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from March 6-13.