MBU hunt $4 million
REIGNING LOCAl national football champions Montego Bay United (MBU) are on the hunt for an additional J$4 million in order to host Group C of the fast approaching Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship.
The CFU had approved MBU’s request to host their group from February 20-27 at the Catherine Hall Sports Complex in Montego Bay, St James, but the club from the second city is a little short on arriving at their budget.
The organisers granted US$104,000 ($13 million) to last season’s Red Stripe Premier League winners; however, they will need approximately J$4 million more to properly stage the leg in the regional club 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 J$17 million,” Orville Powell, chairman of MBU told The Gleaner yesterday, following the CFU’s announcement earlier this week.
Powell believes by hosting the group, the country stands to benefit through sports tourism as Montego Bay is a tourist destination.
“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 also added.
MBU will clash with Elite Sports Club out of the Cayman Islands Grenades FC from Antigua and Barbuda; and Club Barcelona Atletico from 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 the Cayman Islands, and SV Transvaal from Suriname.
That group is set to be hosted at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago from March 6-13.