Hilton's best birthday ever

Ryon Jones, Gleaner Writer

ST JOHN'S, Antigua:

It is the birthday most persons dream of celebrating - in a fine hotel in another country - but never get the chance to experience. Young footballer, Romony Hilton, is living the life, thanks to Digicel, as his 17th birthday could not have come at a better time.

Hilton was among three young footballers granted the luxury of an all-expense-paid one-week trip to view action in Group G of the Digicel Caribbean Cup (DCC) in Antigua and Barbuda.

Along with Kendon Anderson and Dujon Williams, Hilton was chosen from an initial group of 27, which participated in the two-day Digicel Caribbean Cup coaching clinic staged at the Barbican playing field.

'Very happy'

"I am very happy for this experience. Spending my birthday in Antigua is a great privilege," a jubilant Hilton stated during an interview with The Gleaner at the Sugar Ridge hotel in the eastern Caribbean isle yesterday.

"I would say this is the best birthday I have ever had, because I have got to experience a lot of things," he added.

The St Elizabeth native's only regret is not having the company of his twin brother, with whom he has become accustomed to celebrate the occasion .

This is Hilton's first trip overseas, and he is revelling in the moment.

"When I heard that I was selected for the trip to Antigua, I was just shocked ... very surprised," Hilton reminisced. "I didn't know that I would have made it, but I worked hard and it paid off, and I am grateful for the opportunity.

"So far Antigua has been wonderful. The rooms and things I have experienced - I have seen some things I have never seen before, and it has been wonderful," he added.

Group g games

All three youngsters are attending the Group G games, which began yesterday, as four teams - Antigua and Barbuda, Suriname, Dominica and Cuba - vie for the final two places in the DDC Finals, which will be played in Martinique from November 26 to December 5.

"I am mostly looking forward to meeting the teams and players and the clinics over here, so I can go back to my institution and share with them," Hilton pointed out.

This was the Lacovia High school student's first season representing his school.

The versatile player occupies the centre forward, or left or right midfield positions for his daCosta Cup team, and found the back of the net on three occasions.

The fifth former has great aspirations for the future.

"I would like to play for the Reggae Boyz and from there, I want to move on to play for one of the top English Premier League clubs," Hilton stated.